The collection consists of one 1817 bank note drawn on the Bank of St. Louis, the research notes and a 1930 letter of Eric P. Newman, and an October 5, 1941, newspaper article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the note, “The Oldest Known Picture of St. Louis.” Mr. Newman framed portions of this article along with the bank note. Although the bank note has been removed from the frame for preservation, the remaining collage has been retained in the collection.

The ten dollar bank note drawn on the Bank of St. Louis is No.182. The “partial view of St. Louis” image lies in the upper center portion of the note and is the earliest view of St. Louis, showing the village in 1814. The note was engraved by Leney and Rollins of New York City (William L. Leney and William Rollison) and is dated March 18, 1817. It bears three names: S. Rector (bearer), John B. N. Smith (cashier), and S. Hammond (president).

Buildings shown in the engraving include: Market House, Laclede-Chouteau Building, Pratte House, Smith House, Berthold House, Lisa House, Labbadie Store, Labbadie Mansion, Honey Building, Labbadie Barn, Clark Buildings, Gratiot House, McKnight & Brady Store, Fort San Carlos Tower, and fur storage sheds. A key to building names is included in the 1941 newspaper article.

Mr. Eric P. Newman purchased the Bank of St. Louis notes due to his life-long interest in numismatics. He researched early St. Louis property, including early block numbers and buildings, in order to date the image included on the note. Mr. Newman determined that the view does not include the Papin House which was built in 1815, leading to the conclusion that the engraving is based on St. Louis as it appeared in 1814. In a 1930 letter written by Mr. Newman in response to a request to publish an image of the note, he declined the request and referred to his research.