Watermarks known on sábanas
The following watermarks have been recorded:
Bronco: This is a semicircular sunburst with the words ‘Bronco ’ between the rays and the date 1914 at the bottom centre.
It is found on the 10 ‘scroll’ centavos (series AB and BA) and 25 centavos (series CC and DD). These notes were issued between 29 June and 23 July 1915.
Brother Jonathan Bond: This paper was manufactured by the J. W. Butler Paper Company, in Chicago. This watermark has been found on the counterfeit 5 pesos (Series A) with metal seal (Counterfeit $5 sábanas Types 1 and 2), 10 pesos (Series B) and counterfeit 20 pesos (Series A) with metal seal (Counterfeit $20 sábanas Type 1). One of the last has the resello ‘Inspeccion General de Policia - Toluca, Mexico’.
Brother Jonathan Bond was being used by the Secretaría del Gobierno del Estado in Chihuahua in January 1915AMC, Fondo Revolución, Sección Secretaria, Año 1915, caja 12, exp. 13.
Deerfield Bond: This paper was manufactured by the American Writing Paper Company, Holyoke, Massachusetts. This watermark is found on the 10 pesos (Series B). It is known with the resellos ‘Prefectura Regional del Partido de la Capital - San Luis Potosi Este Billete es de circulacion forzosa. S.L.P.’ and ‘Inspeccion General De Policia - Toluca – Mexico’.
Deerfield bond paper was used to produce forged El Estado de Sonora notes.
Diana Bond: Diana bond was manufactured by the Graham Paper Co., St. Louis. This watermark is found on 25 centavos (Series BB); 1 peso (Series C, E, F, G) 5 pesos (Series A) and 20 pesos (Series A).
Diana Bond was being used by the Secretaría del Gobierno del Estado in Chihuahua in January 1915 and the Admininstración General del Confiscaciones, Chihuahua in February 1915AMC, Fondo Revolución, Sección Secretaria, Año 1915, caja 12, exp. 26.
According to family lore, Charles C. Covington, General Manager of Graham Paper Company’s El Paso branch, met with Villa or his representatives sometime during/after 1912 as an agent for the paper company. He travelled by train from El Paso to Tucson, Arizona and from there entered Mexico via Nogales. The stated reason for this business meeting was to sell Villa paper with which to print currencyinformation from Michael T. Edmond, Covington’s great grandson.
Hammer bond: According to a warning circulated in November 1914 the counterfeit $1 note could frequently be detected by observing it when held up to a strong light or immersed in water. The words HAMMER BOND were indicative of a bogus note.
No note with Hammer bond has been recorded, and this might refer to:
Hammermill bond: This is found on a 5 pesos (Series A) with the revalidation ‘Revalidado Por Decreto de 17 de Diciembre de 1914’.
Lockland: Lockland bond was also manufactured by the Graham Paper Co., St. Louis. This watermark is found on 25 centavos (Series AA).
Old Hampshire Bond:
This has the words ‘Old Hampshire Bond’ and was produced by the Hampshire Paper Company, South Hadley Falls, MassachusettsOld Hampshire Bond is still manufactured by Weston Paper, a division of Crane and Co, of 30, South Street, Dalton, Massachusetts. It is found on 25 centavos (Series H, I, J, K); 1 peso (Series K, L, M, N, O, P, S, T); 5 pesos (Series C); 10 pesos (Series A); 20 pesos (Series A).
Old Hampshire Bond was being used by the Secretaría del Gobierno del Estado in Chihuahua in March and June 1915AMC, Fondo Revolución, Sección Secretaria, Año 1915, caja 12, exp. 13.
Oriole linen Bond: This paper was also manufactured by the Graham Paper Company in St. Louis. It has a stylised bird design and the wording ‘Oriole linen bond’. This is found on all the values: 25 centavos (series B, D, W); 50 centavos (series F); 1 peso (series I, U); 5 pesos (series A, B, C); 10 pesos (series B); 20 pesos (series A); 50 pesos (series A); and 100 pesos (series A).
It is also found on the 5 pesos Series A with metal seal ((see Counterfeit $5 sábanas Types 1 and 2), which is an obvious forgery.
Strathmore Parchment: This watermark is found on 25 centavos notes (Series L, R). Stratmore Parchment was produced by the Mittineague Paper Co., Mittineague, MassachusettsStrathmore paper is still manufactured by the Strathmore Paper Company of Two Gateway Boulevard, East Granby, Connecticut.