Photo : nypl.org-8a28.

Collaboration de David G. Christie, Print Collection, The New York Public Library.

These images are from our so-called "Portrait File" which was a collection compiled in the early 20th century of images of important historical figures, organized alphabetically by sitter. The images were cut from newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, and the like, and as such, we rarely have extensive information on the source of the images. However, I think in this case, I can answer your questions.

The title of the black and white plate of which we own two copies is indeed titled: "Marquette and Joliet / on the Mississippi." And below, center: "National Bank Note Co. N.Y.".

One of the copies is chine collé on thick cream-colored wove paper. The platemark is 11.3 x 6.3 cm, and the paper is 22.8 x 15.3 cm. I dare say this copy is in better condition.

The other copy of that same print has been trimmed to the platemark and mounted on a thinner, tan-colored (loose) album (?) page which measures 30.5 x 24.8 cm.

Cette représentation de Marquette est tout à fait exceptionnelle par son romantisme, teinté de sublime, exacerbé par la grandeur de son chapeau et le regard visionnaire porté au loin au-dessus de l'horizon.

Il est jeune et glabre, porte un rabat, les mains jointes dans une concentration mystique.

Debout au milieu du canot, il flotte au-dessus des contingences dont Jolliet s'occupe, attentif aux choses matérielles par son regard fixant la route à suivre, la course étant un instant suspendue dans un moment de magie gravée d'une qualité supérieure : à preuve, le subtil et magnifique raccourci du canot placé en forte perspective diagonale.

La National Bank Note Company a été en activité de 1858 à 1879 : cette image a donc forcément été produite durant cette période.

Photo : détail agrandi de nypl.org-fd45.

« Following the Panic of 1857, seven of the nation’s most prominent security printers merged to form the American Bank Note Company on April 29, 1858. The new company made New York City its headquarters. Less than two years later, a handful of the remaining independent bank note printers merged to form the National Bank Note Company. [...] The security printing industry, finding a good deal of its work had evaporated, accordingly underwent a second major consolidation in 1879, as American absorbed the National Bank Note and Continental Bank Note companies. » Source.

« Some people saw the formation of the American Bank Note Company in 1858 as a threat. [...] National Bank Note received its first order by early 1860. [...] While the new National Bank Note Company strove to attain status, its team of engravers was already renowned in the industry: Cyrus Durand (geometric lathe designs on banknotes); Joseph I. Pease (premiere portrait engraver); James Smillie (picture engraver); Joseph Ourdan (portrait engraver); William E. Marshall (portrait engraver); William D. Nichols and George W. Thurber (lettering and intricate designs). [...] The company experienced fierce competition from American Bank Note Company during this time and finally capitulated to a consolidation with Continental and American Bank Note Companies in 1879. » Source.