The Gilbert Paper Company was established in 1887 by William Gilbert Sr. and his sons William Jr., Albert, Theodore and George. Gilbert Jr. had previously been in business with George A.Whiting, who operated the George Whiting Co. paper mill on River Street in Menasha. The Gilbert concern was built on the Lawson Canal the year of the canal’s completion and was the third paper manufacturing operation in the city. Designed by the Chicago firm of Childs & Smith, the front portion of the office was completed in 1919 and the rear by no later than 1926. The gatehouse to the northeast was also completed by 1926. In 1960, the firm was purchased by the Mead Corporation and, in 2001, by the Fox River Paper Company but ceased production later that year. Throughout its history, the company produced “higher quality, cotton-fiber content papers including bond, ledger, index and onion skin papers." The former paper company office currently serves as the law offices for a number of attorneys.
I remember sorting paper there in the early 50's & we sorted some currency too.People don't usually believe me but a gal I worked with remembers it too.When you checked the watermark you saw tiny blue & red speckles...I also modeled with a ream of paper for them but they never gave me a picture of my own.I DID recieve $25.00 tho &our wages at the time were only $1.25 per hr.
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous. You are NOT crazy! My father worked in the boiler room that generated steam for the plant and for the turbine that generated electricity for the mill. In the 1960s, my father used to tell me stories about Gilberts making paper for US currency.
ReplyDeleteWhen this paper was produced, the Secret Service had agents on duty all the time to prevent somebody from taking any of it. Even the waste from the process was carefully guarded.
An agent would accompany the waste paper to the powerhouse and watch as my father would put the stuff into the furnace that heated the boiler. Once the paper was incinerated, which I presume did not take very long, the ashes were removed from the hotbox and the agent poked through the ashes to ensure that the waste paper had been totally incinerated.
If I recall, my father told me that Gilberts also made paper for several foreign currencies, although I don't remember the details. Unfortunately, he passed away 25 years ago so I can't ask him any more questions.
What ever happened to Bill Robinson who was a foreman in finishing dept? I will be checking for a reply because I would like to contact him.
ReplyDeleteWas he married to Darlene Robinson who worked in the office? If so they had built a house on Caman Islands for their retirement. Unsure of their wearabouts or if still living.
DeleteI worked at Gilbert from abuot 1991 to 2000 just before they closed.
Definitely true about them making paper for the currency. I believe there where samples hanging on the wall in sample room.
Was alot of fun back then.
Hey I am Darlene (Snell) Robinson I work there from 1954 to 1997.. I married Bill in 1966, he passed away April 1st, 2001.. I still live on Cayman Brac one of the Cayman Islands.. I do get back to The Fox Valley in the summer for my "Spring Tune ups" with my doctors....Will be back Mid June, July maybe part of august 2014
Delete1-920-202-6571 e-mail sno4sun@candw.ky
Yes we did make US currency, I worked on it as I was in the Mill for 13 years before going to the Main Office.
My uncle was a salesman for the Louisville Paper Company and passed away in the mid 80's. His wife just passed away in January 2012. While going through the estate belongings I came across a 1963 dollar bill in a money clip/wallet with this note attached:
ReplyDeleteA memento from the Gilbert Paper Co. Mehasha, Wisconsin
More than thirty years ago Congress passed a law providing that the Director of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing establish a second source of supply for Currency Paper which would meet Government requirements. In more than 85 years only one mill met those requirements and has been the only supplier for this type of paper.
As a result of continued approach to the Director, and educational contract was given to our company in 1963. This contract arranged for trial lots of Currency Paper to be manufactured and printed into U.S. Currency Paper. The second trial lot shipped to the Bureau was accepted by the Government agencies and completely printed into one dollar bill, which are now in circulation.
The enclosed bill is printed on Gilbert made "Distinctive Fibre Currency Paper".
Pretty cool that I have this now...
I have several of the mementos given out by the Gilbert Paper Company to employees, and executives of Mead. I also wrote an article for Paper Money Magazine about Gilbert Security paper being used to print US currency. I'd like to know more, but haven't been able to speak to any past employees.
DeleteI worked there 1954 to 1997 I worked on the US Currency
DeleteDarlene (Snell) Robinson sno4sun@candw.ky
I worked there for three years. First job was on the Krofta. Operator on my first day was giving me a tour of the lower levels of the water treatment plant and pointed out some bags with paper chips (small circles) and said to pull out my s.s. card. Same colored paper chips were in my s.s. card. Small world.
DeleteIn addition, if anyone has information concerning the Gilbert Paper Company's manufacturing of security paper used in the printing of US Currency, or has any of the one dollar bills or mementos given out in the 1960's, please contact me at stdege@verizon.net. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThere were two people named Gary who worked in the finishing dept. back in the early 70's and also a guy they called Ace. Does any one know if they are still alive and if so how to contact any of them? I think one was Gary Howard. Another person was Lenny Heckner.
ReplyDeleteI think Gary Howard took care of the grounds in the late 80s. I worked with him occasionally killing weeds, etc. Nice guy… I think he went to our church too, because I think I went to Awana with his son at Calvary Bible in Neenah.
DeleteI worked with Lenny for years always wondered what happened to him. Back in those days we could all drink & they didn't care as long as no one got hurt & production was high We would laugh as terrible as it sounds today about certain people driving the forklifts but never in my years did anyone get hurt & we all had so much fun & helped each other out.
DeleteMy dad worked there from the late 60s till the end. I worked at Gilbert(s) for three summers from 88-90 while I was going to college. I worked with the millwrights so I got to go everywhere on the grounds and never was questioned. One of the summers during shutdown we had to clean out the attic of the office. I remember a chute going from one of the upper windows down to a trash bin. All kinds of old stuff just got dumped, including foreign currency from one nation (can't remember what it was) that was nicely framed. Too many pieces of history gone just like that. Loved working there as did my dad and uncle Butch. They took the closing pretty hard.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to read through everyone's comments about the Gilbert Paper Company - I've been volunteering in the archives at the Paper Discovery Center in Appleton and sorting through loads of Gilbert paper work, documents, photographs, and records. If anyone is looking for more information, please stop by! The exhibit is on the river level. However, I haven't come across any information about printing currency so this was great to discover!
ReplyDeleteI had a maternal grandpa Louis SMARZINSKI who worked at Gilbert’s until his sudden death in 1939; I also had a paternal grandfather James Gordon Willis
Deletewho worked there until his time of death in 1929. I’m interested in finding out if either may have crossed paths in their jobs at Gilbert’s. I will try the Paper Discovery if it still existsw
Amber V,
ReplyDeleteThey did not print currency at Gilbert paper Co they made the paper used in the printing of the US Currency. I hope this helps.
I worked at Gilbert's & yes they did make US currency. So not sure where you're getting your info but I don't need to prove anything to anyone. It's sad the mill went down cuz everyone was a family and a yearly family reunion was held for about 8 years after till the great stock market crash of 2008. Life got hard for us Union people but many of us made our way back & don't need to account for our job duties.
Deletewill pay top dollar for 1963 $1 ......over $700......these notes were made with Gilbert Paper and had serial numbers that started C6XXXXXXXA RH 708-447-7689 they were passed out by the company in the mid 1960's.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, My grandfather, Leonard Jedwabny worked there most of his life, hated it when they were making paper for currency, hand secret service watching him all the time. The company gave them 1 dollar bills that my father has framed with my grandfathers Gilbert Paper company ID.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
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DeleteI have one of these 1963A G series dollar bills, with accompanying paperwork.
DeleteGiven to me when I visited the Mill many years ago. Willing to sell if you are interested.
Christine Reilly
Wow. You should list it on eBay with this original Mill info. I worked at Gilbert's.
DeleteNote; The Gilbert Paper Series 1963 Serial Number Block is C60800001A to C61440000A (640,000 notes).
ReplyDeleteI hope this information helps in your search, I gave up looking.
Vernon Peterson
I will trade a certified series 1977A $1 Overprint on Back error note printed on Natick Test Paper for one of the Gilbert Notes from the above C-A Block in the original Sales Pamphlet..
DeleteIf interested, please contact;
Vernon Peterson
vernonpeterson@gmail.com
We also did Social Security Card paper. I remember the Krafta operator pointing out bags of colored dots in the basement underneath #1 machine. Next time you look at your S.S. card, look for small round colored flecks. Chances are they came from Gilbert. (Mid 90's)...
ReplyDeleteYou worked with Bernie too? He showed me the same thing (I was also a Krofta operator).
DeleteWhat was in the basement under #1 machine? I worked there for years. There was something very distinguishable
DeleteDoes anyone know if Len Heckner is still alive>
ReplyDeleteNo, he is not. Darlene (Snell) Robinson
DeleteNo he not. Darlene (Snell) Robinson
Thank you for the info on Len Heckner Darlene. The last person I would like to know if he is still around is Gary Howard. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIs the building still there or did they tear it down?
ReplyDeleteGone. I snuck around the fence by the duck pond and grabbed a handful of the blue plates that were on the instrument panels for souvenirs. At the time, all that was left was receiving and part of the basement around #1 machine (about 4 years ago).
DeleteThe Mill is gone, only the main office is still there now. Darlene
ReplyDeleteThe two attorneys who bought the buildings had to drill the lock on the safe (in the office building) open. Inside it was several uncut sheets of dollar bills printed on Gilbert paper.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know how Carmelita Thede is doing? I had heard she had been sick a while back.
ReplyDeleteShe passed away, but do not remember when. Darlene (Snell) Robinson) sun4sno@gmail.com
Delete[quote]Amber VMay 14, 2014 at 6:46 PM
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to read through everyone's comments about the Gilbert Paper Company - I've been volunteering in the archives at the Paper Discovery Center in Appleton and sorting through loads of Gilbert paper work, documents, photographs, and records. If anyone is looking for more information, please stop by! The exhibit is on the river level. However, I haven't come across any information about printing currency so this was great to discover![/quote]
Amber, I am trying to "quote" your post above to request any information you can provide on the BEP 1964 contract with Gilbert paper, and after reading other posts above, now seeking any info on currency Stock Gilbert Paper produced for Foreigh Currency.
I recently questioned the BEP on the 1.2+ Million Sheets of Currency Stock Gilbert Delivered to the BEP, and questioned what happened to the Currency Stock as the Series 1963 C-A Block only used 20,000 sheets of Gilbert paper...
The BEP also mentioned no Foreign Currency was printed in D.C. in the 1960's..
Any information cn be sent to'
vernonpeterson@gmail.com
My question to the Bureau of Engraving & Printing on Gilbert was;
ReplyDeleteIn my recent search on Gilbert Paper, I found that they delivered over 1.2 Million Sheets of Currency Stock to the BEP in 1964, and the BEP only printed 640,000 FRN's (20,000 sheets) on Gilbert Paper.. Recorded serials are C60800001A to C61440000A for the series 1963 FRN..
Found in Gilbert Papers Safe was also series 1963A $1.00 FRN's from thr G-G Block that Employees from that time perion say was also printed on Gilbert Paper, (and since no recorded serials from this Block can be confirmed without BEP documention), I'm curious if the BEP has (or knows) of a Archives Department from the early to mid 1960's time period & verify if the BEP had also printed Currency for other Nations...
I ask this, as employees at Gilbert mention that foreign currency was also printed on their paper...
With over 1.2 Million Sheets being unaccounted-for, and believing the BEP would not destroy them, must have used the remaining sheets in other production...
I understand it is difficult going back some 50+ Years, but I have to start somewhere, and most of Gilbert Employee's from that time period is no longer with us, taking valuable Numismatic Information with them, and their children are grandparents now & can not recall what their parents said, only remembering stories about Gilbert Paper making currency stock for the BEP, and the rigid security provided by the Secret Service, that monitored every piece of reject paper as it entered their Furnace..
Any Information Provided will advance Numismatics and collector interest..
Many thanks,
vernonpeterson@gmail.com
B.E.P.'s Reply;
Unfortunately, BEP does not have a comprehensive in-house archive. BEP records from the 1960s would have been transferred to the National Archive and Records Administration. www.archives.gov
As such we have very little on files about the currency paper supplied by the Gilbert Paper Company. We have no records discussing the final disposition of the unused sheets.
Also, the BEP did not print currency for other countries in the 1960s.
Hope this helps.
BEP
I have spoken and emailed with Tom, one of the lawyers that bought the Gilbert Mill, and was told they found roughly 2000 new one dollar bills in the safe. He did not mention any currency sheets. The official Gilbert notes are series 1963 $1's printed with serial numbers ranging from C60800001A through C61440000A. The notes found in the safe are series 1963A $1's with serial numbers near G25631121G ....I do not know the full range, but do own copies of the handwritten records kept by Gilbert employees that chronicle the exact serial number of the notes given to the sales force to be distributed with great pride as advertising samples to current and potential customers. I am unable to procure official proof from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing that the 1963A G-G notes, found in the safe, were printed on Gilbert security paper, but have extensive circumstantial evidence that would show that the Gilbert Paper Company treated these notes as notes printed on their paper.
ReplyDeleteI made a comment earlier in regards to the paper currency. This is all very true, my grandfather Leonard Jedwabny worked there most of his life, prior to that he was a hooper for Menasha Wooden Ware making 50 cents a day and happy to have it during the depression. When times got better he went to work for Gilbert. He told my father he hated it when they were printing paper for currency. Said the secret service was always walking around and when leaving their shift would look into their lunch boxes to see if they were taking any currency paper home. When they were finished the company gave them I believe (2) 1 dollar bills printed on Gilbert paper as a thank you. It was hard not to spend them back then but he didn't and my family still has them. Later when he retired Gilbert presented him with a watch, that's what you did back then. When Grandpa passed after a long and happy retirement with a lot of fishing we found some of his old pay check stubs from Gilbert, I believe they were less than 3 bucks an hour. But back then that was a good living.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfathers s/n on the Bills given to him as a being a Member of the 25+ year Club were G77238156B Dated 1963 . A printed bill on Gilbert made "Distinctive Fibre Currency Paper" As noted on the letter with the Bills.
ReplyDeleteQuestion - the serial number on your grandfather's note, G77238156B , is the series date 1963 or 1963A??
DeleteI have taken part in the Gilbert Paper discussion on CCF and would like to add the above serial number block to our discussion as this would add another 640,000 notes to the proposed Gilbert Census..
Current Block Census is series 1963 Block C-A Run#96 (C60800001A - C61440000A), series 1963A Block G-G Run#41 (G25600001G - G26240000G)..
Your serial number would be Block G-G Run#121 (G76800001B - G77440000B)..
Both series were printed in 20,000 sheet runs of 32 notes per sheet, and the BEP is not going to mix currency stock from Crane & Gilbert in the same Run..
Really need to know if the series was 63 or 63A..
Would it be possible to email of photo of the note with any Gilbert documentation to vernonpeterson@gmail.com ...
Thanks
Should read Block G-B (auto-correct changed it to G-G without me noticing) Run#121 above..
Delete> Your serial number would be Block G-B Run#121 (G76800001B - G77440000B).
Deletefwiw, 2 notes from that block just sold on eBay in CU condition, for $13.60
G 769 63441 B
G 769 63442 B
Gilbert Paper Company and the 1963A G-G Notes
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, I truly believe that the 1963A G-G notes the Gilbert Paper Company gave out at the time to current and potential customers as a sales aid were printed on Gilbert Paper Company security paper and printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, I was able to obtain a copy of the actual contract between the BEP and the Gilbert Paper Company, along with all the correspondence between them.
Contract TEP-5374 for Distinctive Paper (Gilbert Paper Co.) Under Schedule No.12
Term: 12-month period beginning June 30, 1964
Most of the correspondence between the BEP and the Gilbert Paper Company involved Mr.Mike Donovan, Procurement Officer at the BEP, Washington DC and George Griffin, Vice President of Gilbert Paper Company, Menasha Wisconsin.
In a letter between the two, dated May 7 1965, George writes; Regarding our telephone conversation of today, the Gilbert Paper Company would like to be relieved of running the fourth portion of the subject contract TEP-5374.
The contract was amended from 150,000 pounds to 85,501 pounds, and from $111,750 to $63,698 on May 10 1965, and officially terminated on June 11 1965.
The Gilbert Paper Company kept meticulous, handwritten records which included actual serial numbers and which sales person or company official were given the notes. The notes were given with pride to company employees, local bank officials, Mead Corporate officers along with pamphlets and leaflets explaining that the United States one dollar bill was printed on Gilbert Security paper. I will never believe that the Gilbert Paper Company was giving out random one dollar bills without knowing for sure that they were printed on Gilbert Security paper. Somehow the Gilbert Paper Company knew exactly which series and district and serial numbers were printed on their paper.
The BEP keeps, and has kept detailed records of the engraved plates used for printing U.S. currency, but does not keep a record for the paper or ink. The ink they formulate “in house”, and the paper supplier hasn’t changed in over 145 years….so why should they. I am currently unable to prove, and furnish a serial number range without doubt, that the 1963A $1 G-G notes handed out by the Gilbert Paper Company were printed on Gilbert security paper. This event happened over 50 years ago, and most of the people that would know for SURE have passed away, but I believe the circumstantial evidence of the handwritten records, the notes found locked up in the company safe, and the notes handed out with the leaflets and pamphlets proclaiming their origin proves that they were printed on Gilbert security paper
Does anyone know the years that James (Jim) O'Conner worked at Gilbert . His family would like to know, if anyone can help me please email me at sun4sno@gmail.com DARLENE (SNELL) ROBINSON Thanks D As soon as I can sell my home Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands. I will be moving back to Fox River Valley ( Hope to be Menasha.)
ReplyDeleteDid you move back? I thought you loved it there. I know I would.
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but my Doctors in WI said that I need to, because of my heart. I do love it here. Will come back to visit. Be back as soon as my home sells
DeleteHi Darlene,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any Gilbert Paper Company mementos you would consider selling?
Steve in Tampa
I worked there for 25 years and had the good fortune to work along side my father who retired from Gilbert.
ReplyDeleteI lost my job when they closed the doors.
Many nice people to work with.
I was summer help there from 82-84. I worked with a lot of great people. I mainly worked with the
ReplyDeletemillwrights and pipe fitters, learned a lot working there. My dad worked there for 38 years, he retired in 98.
Hi this is Darlene Robinson, I did finally sell my home Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands. Moved back to Wisconsin June 19th, 2018 for health reasons. I am right now staying with Barbara Resch, in Menasha (she is Larry's wife) Looking for a places in Menasha, now. sun4sno@gmail.com or 920-202-6571 Hope to see soon of you soon !!
ReplyDeleteI worked there for 20 years(1981-2001) as a roll wrapper,winder helper, sheeter helper, paper handler,trimmer operator,sealer and air dry third hand then finally as a millwright. A lot of great people and good times. The little security dots that everyone mentions for the social security paper was referred to as planchett and was punched out on a little machine in a back room in the case shop. Filled a few bags while you would make skids with ceaser and Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteA former Gilbert employee named Richard "Dick" Bayer passed away a few days ago. Does anyone remember him and if so where did he work in the mill?
ReplyDeleteAgree Dick was the best. I was a young pipefitter so had to work in boiler house a lot. He went to the doctor for a check up once and when he came back he told me the doctor told him his real lobes were in perfect shape and everything else was junk.
DeleteHow could anyone forget Dick Bayer. Greatest sense of humor ever. He "worked" in the boiler house as a fireman. He tended to the boilers. Great guy, always pulling pranks on everyone. I can still see him walking around in the boiler room in his robe and bedroom slippers. You had to see it to believe it. Rest in peace brother.
ReplyDeleteInformation that Bob Hanke died last night (Dec.2,2019) Also told that he didn't want any service or showing. All I know of this.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky to have designed a paper promotion for Gilbert Paper back in the very early ’90s capturing the machinery, the paper making process and the ”Gilbert Ducks“ doing their job in what I thought to be poetic poses. You can see a few images of it on my design company’s website: worksight.com/work/corporate/gilbert-paper-honest-beauty-gilbert-paper
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such type of informative post. I really like it. It will be very helpful for me. Thanks for sharing such insights. Great work. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeletePrinted Paper Roll
My great grandfather George Paul began working for The Gilbert Paper Company about 1913. We believe he was working at the building on Anhaip when it was erected in 1919... just a short walk from his home on Nicolet. He passed away in early 1920 at only 29 years of age. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see photographs of the buildings interior and its workers during that time.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have details on the boiler explosion?
ReplyDeleteAll I heard was that two people died.
ReplyDeleteHello, I’m doing some independent research for a cold case in Washington State. I’m trying to find out as much about the company and it’s products as possible. Would anyone be willing to speak with me?
ReplyDeleteI worked at Gibert from 1987 to 1999. If you want to converse you can contact me at michaelneuman712@gmail.com
DeleteI think you have the wrong PO paper mill. Look at little further North lol
DeleteMy grandfather worked in the personnel department of Gilbert Paper from the later 1920s until his retirement circa 1970. He contracted Tuberculosis around 1939 and had to spend almost 2 years in a sanitarium. The Gilbert Paper Company HELD HIS JOB FOR HIM during that entire difficult stretch of time and he was able to go back to work once he recovered. Needless to say he had incredible loyalty to the company as a result.
ReplyDeleteI have an art print on paper that bears the watermark Gilbert Lancaster Bond 100% Cotton Fibre paper. Can anyone provide me some idea of when the paper could have been made? The supposed date of the print is 1936 but I'm concerned that it may just be a later reproduction.
ReplyDeleteI happened here because I bought a stack of used paper that was labeled "transparency paper," but in the mix was this interesting paper with the watermark "Gilbert Lancaster Bond 100% cotton fiber." Of course, 100% cotton paper is not uncommon. Although, there isn't any of Gilbert's (the 100% - there's 1 listing of 25% cotton) on Ebay. After learning about Gilbert providing us currency paper in the 60s, I realized why the paper felt so oddly familiar... It definitely has the texture and transparency of US paper currency. Is it possible that I've happened upon paper intended for that use, or did Gilbert make similar paper for household use? I'm so curious!!
ReplyDeleteGilbert Paper produced 100% cotton Lancaster Bond paper up until its closing in 2001. This was their finest and most expensive product. Sometime in the 1960's or 1970's some counterfeiters tried to use this paper in their operation, but got caught. Several Gilbert employees were called to testify in that case. The Lancaster Bond does have a feel similar to US currency, but lacks several ingredients that real currency paper has, which are added during the production phase. On a side note, Gilbert Paper did produce some actual US currency paper in the 1960's, but did not continue this after the first run, as it was not profitable for them.
DeleteRespect and I have a tremendous supply: How Much For House Renovation Uk victorian house renovation
ReplyDelete