Charles Toppan founded a printing firm in 1829 in Philadelphia. He left the firm to join Draper, Toppan & Co in 1837. After that company was dissolved it became Toppan, Carpenter & Co. with the joining of Samuel Carpenter. Designer and engraver John W. Casilear joined as a principle partner in 1850, at which point the final iteration of the company name was complete- Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. Cashier became a famous landscape painter of the Hudson School

The firm specialized in security printing, and won a six year contract with the United States Postal Service in 1851. This contract would be extended until 1861. In 1858, the firm merged with a number of others to form the American Bank Note Company, but continued to use its own name until 1861.

Probably the most notable achievement attributable to the company is developing the perforation of stamps in the US. English stamps with perforations were appearing in the United States. Toppan, after much difficulty and delay, imported a Bemrose rouletting perforation machine from England, a decision having made to choose perforation over rouletting the stamps and the machine was retooled to perforate. The earliest known use of perforated stamp was February 28, 1857 on the 3¢ Washington.

This Early Rotary perforating machine can be seen in the National Postal Museum

Lake George
by John W. Casilear
Within a couple of years of joining Toppan, Carpenter and Casilear, John Casilear ceased his engraving to focus on his painting career.