Kansas Paper Money: An Illustrated History, 1854-1935 [Hardcover]

Steve Whitfield (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786441321 | ISBN-13: 978-0786441327 | Publication Date: May 13, 2009

Kansas had only a few years in which its bankers and merchants issued the now-obsolete notes that have become such popular--and rare--collector's items. This heavily illustrated history details Kansas paper bank notes and scrip through 1935. Like the Society of Paper Money Collectors' state catalogs it provides history and listings of specific notes and comments on their rarity, but it is unique in grouping notes and issuers alphabetically according to the economic period in which the notes were issued. Notes are separated into three major categories: municipal governments, merchants, and banks. Appendices examine modern reproductions of obsolete currency, altered notes and write-in scrip, the printers and engravers who created the physical notes, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steven K. Whitfield has written numerous articles for hobby publications, including The Bank Note Reporter, Paper Money and the Check List. He also authored the 1980 Society of Paper Money Collectors' state volume on Kansas and has made numerous presentations on the history of Kansas money to various historical groups, including the Kansas State Historical Society and the Douglas County Historical Society of Lawrence. Fred Reed, editor of Paper Money and author of McFarland's Show Me the Money! (2005), lives in Dallas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (May 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786441321
• ISBN-13: 978-0786441327
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,816,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coffee's Review, December 20, 2009

By 

Guy Coffee (Manhattan, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kansas Paper Money: An Illustrated History, 1854-1935 (Hardcover)

The purpose of this book is to update the original 1980 Societyof Paper Money Collectors Kansas catalog. The author's past 30-plus years of in-depth study and research has produced an excellent monogram on this topic. As the book's title states, it's richly supplied with many black and white illustrations.

No question the obsolete currency of early Kansas paper money is very rare. Keep in mind Kansas was in existence for only a short period of the obsolete note issuing period of which was from the early 1800s until the 1860s. Kansas became a Territory in 1854 and achieved statehood in 1861. The federal government took over the issuing of paper money soon thereafter. Hence, Kansas had only about 10 years to which bankers and merchants issued the obsolete notes that are today such popular collectors items.

The book is organized into four major periods. These are: (1) Territorial Period (1854-1861), (2) Statehoold Period (Jan.-June, 1861) (3) Civil War (1861-1863), and (4) Post Civil War (1864-1879). The last two chapters deal with miscellanious scrip (1870-1930) and the Natonal Bank Note Period (1864-1935).

Since there were different types of issues, the notes are further separated into three major categories. These are issues from banks, merchants, and municipal governments. Banks are further categorized as fraudulent and intended banks, commonly know as "wildcats" of the territorial period. The author's intent is to list the notes by type of issuer, in the historical period that was their issue.

In the very early days Atchison and Leavenworth were logical choices for the establishment of the first two banks in Kansas. Hence, in many of the smaller towns the merchants were forced to include common banking practices into the operation of their business in order to survive.

Lastly, the book contains eight appendices. A few of the more notable ones are modern reproductions of bank notes, altered notes, known written denomination of script, a list of pre-1863 banks that may have issued scrip and printers and engravers of pre-1880 notes. the book contains an excellent bibliography.

The book is highly recommended to collectors of Kansas paper money and those interested in the early commercial development of Kansas, particularly the development of Kansas banking.

5.0 out of 5 stars Kansas Paper Money, November 25, 2011

By 

Jim Hovious (BUHLER, KANSAS, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kansas Paper Money: An Illustrated History, 1854-1935 (Hardcover)

Great book, information in it helps with anyone's collection and gives you alot of history and information. The pictures are helpful in identifing paper money and notes from Kansas towns.