About Us
Turning design and photography into legacy
Our Studio
Hello! Thanks for stopping by. I’m Rita Melamud, a graphic designer and photographer passionate about history and storytelling. My latest project, Signatures of Freedom: Portraits of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, holds special meaning for me because it offers a personal and visual perspective on America’s founders. By blending graphic design and photography, I aim to tell these stories visually and foster a personal connection through art. I hope my work inspires you to see history not as something distant, but as a lively, ongoing link to today.
Our Location
Redwood City Art Studios
643 Scott Avenue
Redwood City, CA
94063
Portfolio
Artwork credits
Art within the Book
Public Domain Image Disclaimer. The photographic images featured on this website are derived from scans and macrophotographic documentation of prints from original impressions published by the American Bank Note Company before 1900 and from Ole Erekson’s 1876 digital file of the lithograph, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. These works are believed to be in the public domain under United States law. Images are presented for educational and historical study. If you believe an image requires credit or review, please contact us.
Front and Back Cover.
The Declaration of Independence. Engraved by Frederick Girsch after the painting by John Trumbull. Produced circa 1863 by the American Bank Note Company.
Composite based on: Engraving by Frederick Girsch, Bureau of Engraving and Printing [c.1902] (Wikimedia Commons); and "Signing of the Declaration of Independence," Engravings of the American Bank Note Company, p. 56 (Library of Congress LOT 4012, LC USZ62 96000: loc.gov/item/88715753). No known restrictions. Public domain.
Benjamin Franklin at His Print Shop.
Engraved by Toppan, Carpenter & Company in the mid-1800s, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP7304 “Posting Broadside” April 13, 1773, by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The associated steel engravings are from original Dies engraved from 1845 to 1911.”
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates 1841-1911 are well beyond the standard copyright term. Toppan, Carpenter & Co. was founded in 1845 and joined the American Bank Note Company in 1858.
From 13 Colonies to 50 States: Calendars.
The American Union: 1776 & 2026 Calendars. This unique page features both calendars, showcasing 13 stars then and 50 stars now, along with our national motto, 'In God We Trust'.
Designed by Redwood City Art Studios. Copyright © 2025 Redwood City Art Studios. All rights reserved.
Page 2
Patriot.
Engraving by American Bank Note Company, New York, between 1855 and 1899.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP51 “Bunker Hill,” printed June 17, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates (1855–1899) are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Panel text (context): “The associated steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen between 1855 and 1899.”
United We Stand Seal Design.
Designed by Redwood City Art Studios.
Copyright © 2025 Redwood City Art Studios. All rights reserved.
Page 3
Figure 1.
Signatures of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Extract from the lithograph Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, by Ole Erekson, 1876. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division. LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837. (Image is in the public domain.)
Page 4
Independence Hall.
Engraved by the Franklin Bank Note Company, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company, around 1877.
Source: Intaglio-printed folio: "Welcome to Philadelphia."
Printed by American Bank Note Company for the 86th Convention of International Plate Printers, Die Stampers and Engravers, June 17, 1995.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving date 1877 is well beyond the standard copyright term.
Folio (context): Independence Hall. Engraved for Franklin Bank Note Company, NY, Circa 1877.
Page 5
Figure 2.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from New Hampshire, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 6
To Arms!
Engraved by Luigi (Louis) Delnoce and Charles Burt, circa 1882, American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP46 “Contributors to the Cause,” printed March 25, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates circa 1882 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Panel text (context): “The associated steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen in the mid-nineteenth century.”
Page 7
Figure 3.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Massachusetts, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 8.
The Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775.
Engraved by Bald, Cousland & Co., Philadelphia, around 1856, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP48 “Lexington and Concord,” printed April 19, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The original steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen between 1853 and 1864.”
American Bank Note Company Archive Series, 1987. “The Price of Freedom”, #88. Context: Battle Scene (The Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775). Engraved by Bald Cousland and Company, Philadelphia, 1856.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates circa 1856 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Page 9
Figure 4.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Rhode Island, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 10.
The Recruit.
Engraved by the National Bank Note Company, New York, between 1859-1879, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP52 “Military Services Bicentennial” printed July 4, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The original steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen between 1859 and 1879.”
American Bank Note Company Archive Series, 1989. “The Price of Freedom”, #78.
Context: The Recruit. Engraved by the National Bank Note Company, New York, 1859-1879
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates circa 1859-1879 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Page 11
Figure 5.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Connecticut, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 12.
The First Reading of the Declaration.
Engraved by Luigi (Louis) Delnoce, circa 1866, American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP35 “Continental Congress” printed July 4, 1974 by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The original steel engravings date from 1851 to 1879.”
American Bank Note Company Archive Series, 1987. “ Moments in History", #42.
Context: "The First Reading of the Declaration of Independence." Engraved by Luigi (Louis) Delnoce, 1866, American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates 1866 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Page 13
Figure 6.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from New York, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 14
The Scene Unveiled: Who’s Who in the Vignette.
The Declaration of Independence. Engraved by Frederick Girsch after the painting by John Trumbull. Produced circa 1863 by the American Bank Note Company. Source: Library of Congress. Public domain.
Page 15.
The Missing Signers: Those Absent from Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 16
Washington at Encampment.
Engraved by Luigi (Louis) Delnoce after a painting by F.O.C. Darley, around 1862, American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP52 “Military Services Bicentennial, printed July 4, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The original steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen between 1859 and 1879."
American Bank Note Company Archive Series, 1987. “ The price of Freedom", #89.
Context: Washington at Encampment. Engraved by Luigi (Louis) Delnoce, around 1859, American Bank Note Company.
Artist: Felix Octavius Carr Darley
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates 1859 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Page 17.
Figure 7.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from New Jersey, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 18
The Liberty Bell.
Engraved by Security Bank Note Company, Philadelphia, around 1882, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company.
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP60 “Spirit of ‘76,” printed January 1, 1976, by American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates around 1882 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Panel text (context): “The engravings were executed by craftsmen of the nineteenth century.”
Page 19.
Figure 8.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Pennsylvania, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 20
United States Shield.
United States Shield. Engraved by Jocelyn, Draper, Welsh & Co.,
around the 1850s, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company.
Source: National Union Bank of Reading. Check, 1875, printed by American Bank Note Company
Source: International Ocean Telegraph Company Certificate of Stock, 1881, printed by American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates around 1875 and 1881 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Figure 9.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Delaware, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 21.
Figure 10.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Maryland, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 22.
The Continentaler.
Engraved by the Continental Bank Note Company between 1863 and 1879, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP46 “Contributors to the Cause,” printed March 25, 1975, by American Bank Note Company.
Panel text (context): “The associated steel engravings were executed by master craftsmen in the mid-nineteenth century.”
American Bank Note Company Archive Series, 1989. “ The Price of Freedom", #74.
Context: . The Continentaler. Engraved by the Continental Bank Note Company, 1863-1879
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates 1863-1879 are well beyond the standard copyright term.
Page 23.
Figure 11.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Virginia, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 24.
Flag.
Engraved by the Continental Bank Note Company between 1863 and 1878, a predecessor of the American Bank Note Company
Source: American Commemorative Panel CP84 “Drafting the Articles of Confederation,” September 30, 1977, by American Bank Note Company.
Rights: Believed to be in the public domain; original engraving dates 1863-1878 are well beyond the standard copyright term. The Continental Bank Note Company (CBNCo) became part of the American Bank Note Company (ABNCo) in 1879.
Figure 12.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from North Carolina, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 25.
Figure 13.
Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from South Carolina, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 26.
Figure 14. Ole Erekson, Portraits & Autographs of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, detail showing signers from Georgia, 1876, lithograph, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number LC-DIG-ppmsca-07837 (digital file from original print)].
Page 27.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
List of U.S. States by Date of Admission to the Union.
Designed to honor the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Designed by Redwood City Art Studios. Copyright © 2025 Redwood City Art Studios. All rights reserved.