I understand his signature is on SOME currency (around 1890 or so) - he was an engraver. Anyone got any info on what bill his signature is on? I have a patient who is a great grandson and I am researching trying to find a bill with his signature
There's a writeup in The Engraver's Line about his career, but no specific banknotes are listed. Neither in The International Engraver's Line.
According to "The Engraver's Line" Helm worked for the BEP beginning in 1885, then started his own company in 1894. So whatever notes he engraved would have been in that window of time. I suspect if his signature is on a note it is hidden somewhere in the design. Incidentally, a little Googling turned up his name in the Official Register of the United States -- his first name is spelled "Augustine."
There is some info on Helm online on the SPMC website at this link. It is a very tight block of of tiny text you will have to sift through, but a few mentions of him, such as, "The Hamilton Bank Note Co. A similar portrait of Alexander Hamilton was used on the $2 United States notes of 1862. Minute differences are visible when this portrait is compared to the J.P. Ourdan engraving. (Courtesy of Dr. Glenn E. Jackson) This company was founded in 1880; incorporation took place in 1884. One year later, Augustine L. Helm (1833-1920) came to the Hamilton Bank Note Co. (HBN) as a modeller and designer. Just before incorporation Helm joined the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing ; he remained there until 1894. '" Note, that on this page, if the text does not at first appear, there is a small link below the image of the cover of Paper Money, that will expand the text: "Click to view original text".
Hi - I'm new to the boards, but Augustine L. Helm is my *father's* grandfather, as well. A. L. Helm had 13 (14?) children, and my father is 88... my respects to your patient, doctor. If you are interested, I have A. L. Helm's business card from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, as well as examples of much of his work - banknotes, charters for private organizations, etc. Prior to coming to DC he founded (?owned?) an engraving firm in Cincinnati. If you are interested in copies, I am at lhelm1968 at gmail dot com. (...and yes, I am named after him, Lawrence Augustine Helm)
Hello Lawrence, welcome to the forum! We've had a couple other relatives of banknote engravers who have posted here. It's always interesting to get family insight on these men. I would love to see other examples of Helm's work and I think other members would, too. Feel free to post some scans! What was the engraving firm he founded in Cincinnati? We may be able to find more information using that name.
