Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-02-08
Photography in Counterfeit ne.
Correspondence Of the N. Y. Tribune.


Correspondence Of the N. Y Tribune.
CIScINSATI, Jan 9,ie55.
have Just witnessed some illustrations Of
the art Of Photographic COunterfeiting. which
l deem highly important, not only to bank Of
dcsrs, but to the public stlsrge Mr.. FOntayne
of this city, one Of the best daguereotypists
in the world, has recently made several photo
graphic copies Of bank notes, Abich far surpass
in the perfection Of their details anything which
hes ever been done in the old way OF counter
feiting. When these photographs are careful
ly taken on the proper bank note paper. they
defy detection either by the unaided eye or BY
microscopic inspection. .-...
one Of these photographs, from $40 bill,
was deposited by Mr.. s., with other bills. in
the Life and Trust Company, and was received
without suspicion. He then informed them that
there was bad bill among them the money
was reinspected, and he was positively assured
that it was all good. and requested to point out
the defective bill he dId so, and after gen
ersl examination by the officers present, The bill
was again pronounced good. Another trial
was made bV presenting Photographic copy
of bill at the principal banking houses. Al
the banks of Smead, ColIard and Hughes,
Gregory and Ingulsbee, and some others, the
ph otograph was received, and after careful 10.
spection, pronounced good bill. A still more
rigid test was made by presenting photographs
and genuine bills to Mr.. Booth and other bank
note engravers. After the most careful inspec
ton they were unable to detect the photograph
ic counterfeit, for as have observed, the mi
nutest details are perfect under microscopic
scrutiny.
think it is obvious from these facts, that
our paper currency is in dangerous condition,
an that it is necessary to give the widest pub
licty to these alarming Developments. II any
god master of photography, can, in a short
time, and at triAing expense, food the coun.
try with spurious money. which even cashiers,
presidents, and experts of every grade are un-
able to detect, we have 10 security in our pa
per currency.
Ihave had that Photographic notes were
once taken in the Bank of England. Whether
any such are now in circulation in this coun
try is not known, but, certainly, we have no
security against their issue at any time In euor.
nous quantities, and it is especially to put the
public on their guard that | now ammo lnce
these facts. An interest is already excited
here, and bank presidents are sending theil
notes to pe photographed, 10 test the power o
the art.
It's not only our currency thst is asssiled BY
this art, but every thing depending on the hu
man pen is liable to counterfeiting. One au
toCraph may be at any time affixed TO a banl
check, pr smissory note. will, deed, letter o.
credit, or accommodation or any number Of
autographs may be affixed to any document
the operator may please-the autographs be-
ing so perfect, that the writer himself could not
detect an error.
1t is needless for engravers to increase their
skill, as every step they take in advance is fol.
lowed with mathematical accuracy by photogr
raphy, which copies the red or brown back:
of the notes as easily as their faces. Possibly
there may be some art of printing in colors O
great variety, or, rare paper, which photogra'
phy will not be able to rival. l think banks
should offer premium for the discovery o
some peculiar species of paper, the manufac'
ture to be kept secret, and to be devoted exclu'
sively to the issue of bank notes.
Under present circumstances an immense
mount of fraudulent money may be issued be.
fore the public are duly on their guard. Sci
ence and art must give US new safeguards.
There are but two methods of detection oi
which have any knowledge at present; they
are furnished by chemistry and by psychome-
try, neither Of which would probably be brou't
TO bear against bills SO comparatively perfect
in all their details.
The chemical test is based on the fact that
the black color of the Photographic picture be-
ing derived from preparation of silver, its
ground is necessarily different from the inks
used by the engraver and the writer; various
tests may be devised by good chemists. /
: would merely mention one the Photographic
picture is Immediately destroyed or turned
white by washing it with solution of corro'
sive sublimate.
AS for the psychometric test, 1t is, believe,
! worthy Of adoption in cases Of Importance wher
! chemical tests are not convenient ANY indl
vidual of good psychometric capacity, can de
rive from one Of the signatures on bank mott
: an impression Of the character Of the writer
I the photograph does not give this impression
' and the difference between the real writing
and the mere photograph may thus be distin
= guished, IS have ascertained by actual ex
pertinent on Mr.. Fontsynss specimens. shs
: give an account Of this experiment in the jour
IS nal of Man"