There comes a time in space every once in a while where none other than GOD himself grants us thustly a favor of time and need for intricacy. It is during these times that we’re allowed to take that time and create that intricacy for the greater good of fine art and design. This is one of those times, pre 1861 United States of America, in a time when money design was needed and the only defense against counterfeiting was high amazing detail, as done by engravers with the most fantastic of skill.

What we’ve got here is a small collection of pre-1861 engravings done for money around the USA, all of these part of the British Museum Archive. Strange, yes? Take a look in their archive site there for a mastertastic collection of the finest treasures from the entire globe and throughout history.

But do that AFTER you take a peek through these images, all of them so fine. And if you’re an illustrator, designer, or artist, hope and pray for the opportunity to take such an amount of time as these folks certainly did use to make such timeless works. What a gift.

This post is part of the World Famous Design Junkies category.