Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1913-02-21
A VERY RARE BOOK
OWNED IN PULLMAN
" +. Hanson Has One of Four
Know Copies of "Heath's Infal-
lible Counterfeit DeteCtor'


the discovery that he is the possesso1
If a very rare book of which. as far
as known, there are but four copies
in existence 1t is a modest little.
Blue covered. 60-page book, which
bears on its title page the words,
eHeaths Infallible Counterfeit De
tector," by Laban Heath.
This particular copy was published
IN 1873 and came into MIR. Hanson's
possession about II years ago, when
he was acting as assistant cashier of
the First National bank of Hanley
Falls, MINI. An old gentleman came
to that town and gave the bankers
some lectures and instruction in the
detection of counterfeit money. He
took particular fancy to young Han
son and before going away gave him
this book.
Mr.. Hanson kept the book because
it was useful and odd, but had no
idea that it had any value because of
Ns rarity until he read the following
article, which appeared in the
Spokesman of January %:
A Spokane bank as an archive of
rare volume, one Of three known
to be in existence in the world, is
the unusual fact brought to light at
the Traders National bank, where J,
0. Tiffany, its paying teller, is the
possessor of the unique volume. pre-
sented to him by his father. d. NJ.
Tiffany formerly banker in Mason
City, Iowa. Mr.. Tiffany purchased
the book when it was published in
1877. the book, naturally, is one
pertaining to the banking profession,
It's title being: 'Heath's Infallible
Counterfeit Detector,' illustrated
with proof impressions printed from
the original government plates, by
authority of the United States treas
ury department.
The book is rare, because it is
said by reliable authorities that only
hree known copies exist in the
United States-one in the hands of
Inc treasury department, one in the
hands of Byron N. Rocks, and the
one In the possession Of the Traders
National bank. 1t is believed that
lne scarcity of the little volume is
Tue to the fact that many of these
oooKs were destroyed as it was not
uought wise to allow illustrations
ron government plates to be in gen
erai circulation. Therein lies the
novelty of the book. 1t contains sew
erai Illustrations of greenbacks and
NATIONAL bank notes printed direct
nom the same plates used by the
so'ernment in printing its new cur
isAcy, the same colors, the same fin
M and genuine designs from the or
gnal government plates being used
II the volume.
When Byron N. Rocks, a recog-
uzed authority and lecturer on the
uaking of new currency, counter
''.'s' etc., was in Spokane delivering
siecture in the banking room of the
traders National bank. he made the
easement that only two copies of
nsatns Infallible Counterfeit De-
''0toF were known to be in exist
'u'e MIR. Tiffany brought out his
WY Mr.. Rocks was surprised to
au another one in existence and
hif' Tiffany to name his price for
ano he would buy it. Mr.. Tiffany
'siused to sell it.
II is an interesting volume. 1t
aS the process of engraving and
ng bank notes, the art of de-
wing counterfeits, with rules for
ssusrai guidance, gives an interest
e comparison between genuine and
l'erielt notes, description of
'asufy notes, national bank notes
national currency backs"
Il. -. manson says that he is not like
lIany, but would sell the book
any collector of rare editions de-
" pay a good price for it. In
) 'front.' of the book is an acknowl-
senent by the author for assist
-se rendered by
non Hugh McCulluch, banker
D. ex-secretary of the treasury;
.,s J" e. Chandler, his assistant
sa executive officer; Gen. F. E.
oa. auir' U. S. treasurer; Mr.. Nc
! cs.u se OF the printing bureau; Mr..
g.. uear' chief of the engineering di-
~. IN and Col. Whitley, chief of the
ns.' 49, service of the treasury depart
a. and to officers of the Ameri-
NAT, national and Bank Note COM
/ appears that while first APPROX