Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Search Challenge (5/1/15): What's this?

Although I should have planned....
an April Fool's Challenge, I didn't think about it until this morning, so all I have for you is a real Challenge that was posed to me by Jill, a librarian who works in the Bay Area.  

There's an interesting backstory here... Jill told me this about the device:    

It dates to 1912 and is made of some kind of silver metal in a 2 and 5/8 inch circle. It says 'Compliments S.F. Chronicle, San Francisco.'  (The S.F. Chronicle is the local San Francisco newspaper.  It's been around for a while.)  



The number tabs can actually punch out a kind of "dot matrix" number when you slip a piece of paper in the side slots and press down on the tabs. 



On the back it says Page Mfg Co. Pat Oct 1, 1912.

1.  What is this device called?  How is it used?  (And why would the S.F. Chronicle hand them out with their compliments?)  

As always, please let us know how you figured this one out.  When you write in, be sure to tell us your search path (I suspect there will be a lot of blind alleys here), and what you finally did that worked.  

In full disclosure, I also have no idea what this is.  Neither does Jill.  So we have our work cut out for us!  

Search On, Search Researchers!  


All photo creds to Jill.  2015.  



12 comments:

  1. I did a Google image search on ["Page Mfg Co" Pat Oct 1, 1912] ->
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1912-PAGE-Check-Protector-Cuts-Numbers-onto-Paper-Still-Works-Fine-/301542185477
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/100995904/the-old-post-office-antique-page-check
    http://branfordhouseantiques.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=branford-house-antiques&item=41805

    It is an antique Check Protector or Checkwriter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkwriter
    A check writer (also known as a "ribbon writer", "check signer", "check protector" or "check embosser"), is a physical device for protecting a check from unauthorized alteration of either the amount or the authorizing signature. Devices of this type that use various technologies are also known as check protectors, check punches, and check perforators. A check punch punches holes in the shapes of numerals. A check perforator punches small round holes that form numerals. A check writer, or ribbon writer, leaves a numerical or written value impression in the payment amount field of a check that is very difficult to alter. This is accomplished by the machine applying downward force on the check and leaving very small inked shreds in the paper.

    ReplyDelete
  2. it is a "Page Check Protector" it is used to make punches in checks so they cannot be erased, etc.
    Quote:
    Check Protectors were often also called check writers and check punches depending upon their respective functions. Business people of the 19th Century didn't fully trust checking accounts, they generally didn't trust banks. They felt a need to protect their checks from being "raised" (fraudulently changed) by the payee, someone else or even their own banker. These devices protected the actual dollar amount of the check either by punching out the number into the check paper, pressing ink into the paper around the dollar amount or in other ways that made it very difficult to change the originally intended amount without being obvious about it. The law on this was, and still is, if it was a poor and obvious change it was the Bank's responsibility to catch it. But, if it was a good job and not readily detectable, then it was the payor's responsibility. Several of the check protector companies gave insurance policies with their protectors. With every Todd Check Protectorgraph came a $1,000 insurance policy in the eventuality a fraudulently raised check did get by the bank and was processed.


    http://branfordhouseantiques.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product.cgi?d=branford-house-antiques&item=41805
    http://branfordhouseantiques.com/cgi-bin/p/awtp-product-category.cgi?d=branford-house-antiques&pc=2835

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw that it punched numbers so I thought it was for cable car tickets / transfers or whatever.

      So I searched
      "page manufacturing" punch antique
      - and it came right up. This one was pretty easy.

      Delete
  3. It's a check protector. I began by trying to locate through a patent search. but not enough info to do well (plus my patent searching skills are rusty, along with new patent searching interface).
    but, i started looking for materials on the Page Manufacturing co. and links to 1912. came to brief histories. and, in the Office Museum:
    http://www.officemuseum.com/check_protector_gallery_simple.htm there is a page devoted to "Check protectors" and you see one of their devices with their name on it.

    The page has photos of a variety of similar models from various manufacturers. quite a neat machine to add extra protection to your checks.
    David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian, University at Buffalo

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's a check protector. I began by trying to locate through a patent search. but not enough info to do well (plus my patent searching skills are rusty, along with new patent searching interface).
    but, i started looking for materials on the Page Manufacturing co. and links to 1912. came to brief histories. and, in the Office Museum:
    http://www.officemuseum.com/check_protector_gallery_simple.htm there is a page devoted to "Check protectors" and you see one of their devices with their name on it.

    The page has photos of a variety of similar models from various manufacturers. quite a neat machine to add extra protection to your checks.
    David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian, University at Buffalo

    ReplyDelete
  5. This appears to be a "Pocket Check Protector" from around 1912.

    I started with a Google Images search of "1800s device punch numbers in paper". A good ways down the page, I spotted an image of a similar but larger device from AntiqBuyer.com, which named the device as an "Automatic Check Protector". The Early Office Museum offers a good overview of the device's general purpose - it would have been used to prevent "check raisers" from falsifying the value of handwritten checks.

    A more specific Google Image search for "check protector" resulted in a very close match: a "Pocket Check Protector" from the Page Manufacturing Company.

    The Chronicle would have given these as gifts to grow its brand among office workers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Did the first send fail?

    Google Patents found it first try. [page oct 1 1912] Its a Check-perforator. US 1039789 A.

    An object of the invention is to so form the protector as to make it very easy to aline the check with the number to be punched therein, this object being accomplished by having a portion of the perforating'arm cut at right angles to the facing of the figure carried thereby and by the provision of openings through the stripper plate, of such size as to enable the numbers punched in the check to be seen through said openings when the perforator is used.

    Another object of the invention is to provide each stripper with a small flange to prevent the user from inadvertently slipping the check between the stripper plate and the perforating plate.

    Another object of the invention is to provide an ink supply in order that an indelible ink may be placed upon the cut characters to prevent the subsequent alteration of the instrument.

    A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby this inking pad may be readily removed from and applied to the protector when it is necessary to replenish the supply of ink.

    I had previously corrected the colour and tried Image search,

    Good one !

    jon tU

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good day, Dr. Russell, fellow SearchResearchers

    Searched:

    In both Google Search and Google Images:

    Not in this order.
    [Page Mfg San Francisco Chronicle]
    [Page Mfg ]
    [Page Mfg San Francisco Chronicle 1912 punching device]
    [Page Mfg punching device]
    [San Francisco Chronicle 1912 punching device]

    No Results.

    [Page Mfg silver 1912 devices]

    Ctrl- F "Page" gives Page Check Protector.

    [Page check protector]
    Check Protectors

    ["Page MFG" check protector]
    Check Protectot advertisment in San Francisco Chronicle. 13-4-1913

    Answers

    1. What is this device called? How is it used? (And why would the S.F. Chronicle hand them out with their compliments?)

    A: From Office Museum: "By the early 19th century, various methods were used to attempt to prevent raising of the monetary figures and altering the payee on checks and other financial documents."

    These devices were used to prevent alterations in payments.

    I guess San Francisco Chronicle bought this for the same purpose and that is why their name is in it. It is a personalized check protector.

    Very interesting and funny. It is great to know history of products that we used in some way.

    Happy New Month!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I started with the first thing that came to my mind (precursor of Dymo tape), moved on to other unsuccessful tries on Google Search and then took my chances on Google Patent Search. Here, I tried [ perforating wheel ] with publication dates restricted to 1912, then tweaked the dates and search string until I realized the solution could have just been [ perforator ] with date restricted to 1/1/1912.

    Here's the story of my 7-minute research. Tabs saved and exported with Session Buddy:

    precursors of dymo tape - Google Search
    https://www.google.pt/search?q=precursors+of+dymo+tape

    vintage | The Well-Appointed Desk | Page 4
    https://wellapptdesk.wordpress.com/tag/vintage/page/4/

    Invisible Tape, 1" x 2592", 3" Core - Google Groups
    https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/skxsli1oav6mr4nk/Z20wpwcj8ho

    perforated number wheel - Google Search
    https://www.google.pt/search?q=perforated+number+wheel

    Perforating Blades, Rotary Perforator Cutters, Perf Wheels, and Straight Flat Perforation Knives
    http://www.baucor.com/products/blades-by-cut-type/perforating-blades

    page mfg co. pat oct 1, 1912 - Google Search
    https://www.google.pt/search?q=Page+Mfg+Co.+Pat+Oct+1%2C+1912

    google patent search - Google Search
    https://www.google.pt/search?q=google+patent+search&rlz=1C1CHWA_enHK596HK596&oq=google+patent+se&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.7755j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

    paper perforator - Google Patent Search
    https://www.google.pt/search?q=paper+perforator&newwindow=1&biw=1920&bih=1017&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Cptsdt%3Ai%2Ccd_min%3A10%2F1%2F1912%2Ccd_max%3A10%2F1%2F1912&tbm=pts

    Patent US1039789 - Check-perforator. - Google Patents
    https://www.google.pt/patents/US1039789?dq=paper+perforator&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YTUcVf7APIT8UNfygcAJ&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA

    ReplyDelete
  9. After quickly finding the patent I focused on the “Why the SF Chronicle?” Searching the newspaper archives I find that Marshall H. Page of Page Manufacturing was an advertising client of the SFC. Here is an advertisement from 1913. The device was also patented in Canada.

    http://www.newspapers.com/clip/2115808/advertising_check_perforator/


    We see that the unique method of perforating the cheque in this newspaper clip

    http://www.newspapers.com/clip/2115902/purpose_of_page_check_protector/


    I am making the assumption that as an advertiser of the SFC Marshall Page chose to provide the check protector as part of an advertising campaign. He also advertised in the Bankers Magazine which I found when searching Books.

    He wasn’t the first to manufacture a small perforator. We see in the Office Museum quite a collection and we see the original Page cheque protector a.k.a. Bankers check protector.

    http://www.officemuseum.com/check_protector_gallery_simple.htm

    http://archive.org/stream/bankersmagazine87cambuoft/bankersmagazine87cambuoft_djvu.txt

    ReplyDelete
  10. Page Mfg. Co. was based in the Chronicle Building in San Francisco (see http://www.mocavo.com/The-Bankers-Magazine-1913-Volume-87/807622/141). At this location were also the headquarters of the San Francisco Chronicle (http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle-history/). Is this a coincidence??

    ReplyDelete