Ari Davis (ca. 1811-1855) was a skilled American craftsman who received two patents in 1854. One (#10,788 of April 18) described a machine for producing wooden boxes with metal-reinforced dovetail corners. The other (#11,415 of August 1) described a magneto-electric machine. While this second patent was still in process, Davis sold the rights to both patents to Walter Kidder, a physician in Lowell, Massachusetts, allegedly for $4000. Advertisements for DAVIS’ (later DAVIS & KIDDER’S) PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE, FOR NERVOUS DISEASES were soon to be seen, with testimonials from three Americans involved with science: Benjamin Silliman at Yale College, Charles G. Page in Washington, D.C., and James R. Chilton, an instrument dealer in New York City. These machines were “MANUFACTURED BY W. KIDDER, Sole Proprietor, whose signature is attached to all genuine Machines.” By 1857, the business was in the hands of William H. Burnap (b. 1825), also of Lowell. By 1865, Burnap was working in New York City, and advertising as “Manufacturer of Davis & Kidder’s Electric Machines.”
This example has a wood box with brass corners. The paper label is marked “DAVIS & KIDDER’S / PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE / FOR NERVOUS DISEASES” with testimonials addressed to “Mr. ARI DAVIS” from “B. SILLIMAN, SEN.” (at left) and “CHAS. G. PAIGE” (at right). The text at bottom reads “Manufactured and sold by W. H. BURNAP, Sole Proprietor, Lowell, Mass., whose signature is attached to all genuine / Machines. All infringements upon his Patent will be prosecuted.” The “B. Chester, assigned to W. H. Burnap” painted on top of the box must refer to Benjamin Chester, a Lowell inventor who assigned his “Mode of Belting,” U.S. Patent 18,981 (Dec, 22, 1857) to Burnap.
Glass jar with paper label that reads “HOOD’S / SAPONACEOUS / TOOTH POWDER / A PRESERVER AND BEAUTIFIER OF / THE TEETH / . . . ONLY BY C. I. HOOD & CO. APOTHECARIES / LOWELL / MASS.” Charles I. Hood (1845-1922) was born in Chelsea, Vt., apprenticed with a pharmacist in Lowell, Ma., and established C. I. Hood & Co. in 1870.
Obverse Image: At left, a female figure representing the Spirit of the Navy sitting by an anchor with a ship in the background. At right, the arrival of the steamship Sirius in New York harbor.
Obverse Text: NATIONAL CURRENCY. / THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON / REGISTER OF THE TREASURY / TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES / LOWELL, MAY 10TH 1865 / THE APPLETON NATIONAL BANK OF LOWELL WILL PAY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO BEARER ON DEMAND / MASSACHUSETTS / NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK / 986 / A 206 / M16428 / ARRIVAL OF THE SIRIUS, 1838
Reverse Image: The surrender of General Burgoyne.
Reverse Text: 500 / SURRENDER OF GENL. BURGOYNE. / ENGD. BY THE NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y. / D / NATIONAL CURRENCY / THIS NOTE IS RECIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AS EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON PUBLIC DEBT. / COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR OR BOTH. / MASSACHUSETTS
Description
In 1863 the U.S. issued its first national notes and decided to feature historically themed paintings from the Capitol Rotunda on the reverse. The paintings were shrunk from their original size of twelve by eight feet to a mere four-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, but maintained the detail and quality of the paintings. This decision converted national treasures into national currency.
John Trumbull painted four of the eight paintings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. His paintings Surrender of General Burgoyne and Declaration of Independence are featured on the reverse of the first 100 dollar and 500 dollar national notes.
