Antique PORTER U.S. Paper Money Counterfeit Detector Machine US wi/ booklet RARE

Description

Porter U.S. Paper Money Currency Counterfeit Detector Machine
This is the finest example of this rare counterfeit detector that we have seen.
The wood case is flawless but for a few minor surface scratches, the glass is perfect and original, and every knob, screw and moving slide is original and without damage or wear.
This detector operated on the basis of placing a genuine note on one sliding panel and a suspected counterfeit on the other. Then by manipulating the panels, using the brass knobs, the notes could be drawn into line on the alphanumeric graph, and the position of various elements could be compared.
In short, it was pretty much useless. But what a fancy package.
Included with this detector is the original instruction booklet. Over the years, we've seen several of these detectors, only one other of which is as well preserved as this beautiful piece.
The original glass is etched with the graph lines. Most Porters have had their glass broken and replaced at some point, but not this one.
This detector contains two genuine modern Bills for demonstration purposes. The exact date on which these were manufactured is a matter of conjecture, but materials and craftsmanship seem to indicate late '20s or early '30s. The instruction sheet with this detector has an overprint export-agent name and address, which indicates that these were still being sold in the 1940's, as the agent's San Francisco address includes the two-digit postal-zone number -  this style of postal code came into use in May of 1943
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In May of 2004 this piece auctioned for just under 0. To our knowledge none comparable has been sold in the intervening 16 years.
#A69
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