Obverse Image: On left, Christopher Columbus and men in sight of land. On the right, a Native American princess, representing America, being presented to figures representing the Old World.
Obverse Text: 5 / 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 / THE CUMBERLAND NATIONAL BANK OF PORTLAND / WILL PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND FIVE DOLLARS / PORTLAND, MAINE / OCT. 2D. 1865 / CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK / ACT APPROVED JUNE 3D. 1864 / CASH'R / PRES'T / H8480 / 1511 / 2335 / SERIES 1875.
Reverse Image: Columbus landing in America
Reverse Text: FIVE / 5 / NATIONAL CURRENCY / THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AND 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 / EVERY PERSON MAKING OR ENGRAVING OR AIDING TO MAKE OR ENGRAVE OR PASSING OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANY IMITATION OR ALTERATION OF THIS NOTE AND EVERY PERSON HAVING IN POSSES-SION A PLATE OR IMPRESSION MADE IN IMITATION OF IT OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THAT ON WHICH THIS NOTE IS PRINTED IS BY ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 3D. 1864 GUILTY OF FELONY AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEED-ING FIFTEEN YEARS OR BOTH. / MAINE / DIRIGO / LANDING OF COLUMBUS 1492
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 Vanderlyn’s painting of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus was installed in the Capitol Rotunda in 1847. It depicts the landing of Columbus on a beach in the West Indies in 1492. This moment is often regarded as the beginning of European engagement with the Americas. The painting is replicated on the first five dollar national note.
Sample of nylon fiber, as used for blending with other fibers, natural and synthetic, for making yarn and then fabric, by Goodall-Sanford, Inc. Sanford Maine. {NB: this nylon probably was purchased by Goodall-Sanford from the DuPont Co., or one of its licensees. Goodall-Sanford did not manufacture nylon]
Part of a gift of 14 fabric samples and 11 fiber samples by Goodall-Sanford Inc., (mills at Sanford, Maine), to illustrate "Fiber Blending for Better Performance", in September 1951. The Goodall Worsted Company (maker of the mohair and cotton blend fabric "Palm Beach Cloth"), and the Sanford Mills (maker of mohair and wool velvets, plushes, and imitation fur fabrics) merged in 1944 to form Goodall-Sanford Inc. Palm Beach cloth was a menswear summer staple, and was one of the first fabrics considered "easy-care", although both its components were natural fibers. This donation illustrates some of the company's other efforts at blending fibers, in this case natural and synthetic blends. Goodall-Sanford's sales headquarters were at 545 Madison Avenue, NY 22, NY.
Mounted by donor for display, in a clear plastic domed container (now yellowing) with a black marker or paint lettering label.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lord Lakeman, who was born 1767 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died 1862 in Hallowell, Maine used this pillow, pattern and bobbins to make bobbin lace most of her life. Mrs. Lakeman most likely made Ipswich lace in the late 1780's and 1790's during the peak of the Ipswich lace industry. The pillow is stuffed with sea-grass or straw and the parchment pattern has holes pricked for the lace. The bobbins are whittled from bamboo, other reeds, or wood. The current pattern and lace on the pillow are from around 1860.