Thompson, J. THE AUTOGRAPHICAL COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR; COMPANION TO THE BANK NOTE REPORTER, GIVEN, FREE OF CHARGE, TO ALL WEEKLY AND SEMI-MONTHLY SUBSCRIBERS TO THE REPORTER, CONTAINING FAC-SIMILE SIGNATURES OF THE PRESIDENT AND CASHIER OF EVERY BANK IN THE UNITED STATES.New York: Published by Wm. W. Lee, Printer, No. 12 Spruce Street, 1852. Fourth edition. 8vo, modern brown quarter morocco, gilt, with marbled boards. (4), 60 pages; containing over 1500 facsimile signatures. Leaves a bit worn, with some corners torn or missing. Very good in a fine binding.<p>Dillistin page 150: "Probably the most unique publication in the banking field... While the facsimile signatures presented in this detector were of great value to those handling State bank notes who might question the genuineness of signatures appearing thereon, they were no doubt of inestimable value to the swindler and crook engaged in counterfeiting such notes. For that reason alone it is rather surprising that such a publication ever existed." Thompsons Bank Note Reporter was "issued to regular subscribers weekly, semi-weekly and monthly" and weekly subscribers received not only a complimentary copy of The Autographical Counterfeit Detector but a copy of the heavily illustrated Coin Book as well. Today, both are quite rare, particularly the former, suggesting that either weekly subscribers were few and far between or that the ephemeral nature of these publications engendered a miniscule survival rate. While this copy was bound without the wraps (which include the publishers imprint and date), it can be established as the 1852 fourth edition by its introduction, which varies from issue to issue, and its pagination.Ex Heather Hardin-Hudson Collection.
