The Flagtown Forger

On Saturday, October 13, Hillsborough's Cultural and Arts Commission will host its annual Art Show at the municipal complex. This judged contest is open to all Hillsborough residents and promises to showcase many dozens of artworks created by our most talented neighbors. Modest prizes of fifty dollars will be awarded to the best entries - ironic since Hillsborough's most famous artist made his claim to fame forging fifty dollar bills! The story of Emanuel Ninger, the forger of Flagtown, starts back in 1882 when he first emigrated from Germany to the United States. He worked first as a sign painter in Hoboken, then bought a farm in Westfield, and finally settled in Flagtown. It was apparent to his neighbors that he wasn't much of a farmer, as they could see that he wasn't making his living from it. He explained that he was receiving a pension from the Prussian Army - in other words, he was semi-retired. The reality was that he was working harder than anyone in Flagtown!

 

Ninger worked in a small studio in his home meticulously counterfeiting $50 bills - all by hand. He purchased his paper from the same maker that supplied the US Treasury, and would carefully cut the paper to size and soak it in a solution of weak coffee. While the paper was still wet and semi-transparent, he would place it on top of a genuine $50 bill and carefully trace all of the details with a pencil. After the paper dried, he would use pen and ink, and a camel's hair brush to duplicate the look and feel of real currency. He might even be considered one of America's first impressionist painters. Ninger knew that it would be impossible for him to duplicate the tiniest details of genuine notes, so he used techniques to give the impression that detail was present. And although experts began finding his counterfeit notes early on, he was successful in his endeavor for 14 years, producing as many as six notes a month, distributing them carefully by himself, letting no one else in on his scheme. During those 14 years, his anonymous fame was widespread - collector's paid many times face value for one of his "works of art". Of course, it couldn't last - we'll find out what happened to Ninger tomorrow. And in case you're wondering, Hillsborough Art Show winners will be getting their $50s by check - and these will be the real thing!