Todd Protectograph

Todd Protectograph

The Todd Protectograph check writer is a piece of American history. The machine was manufactured in the 1930s by the Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N.Y., U.S.A.

The protectograph has a 7x9 register keyboard, and it was used to print checks to prevent forgeries. The machine is called a protectograph due to the property of perforating, e.g., protecting checks in a specific way.

The machine is hand operated; to print a check, you have to first enter the sum on the keyboard, then slide a paper check under the machine and pull the handle. The protectograph then prints and perforates the paper in a way that makes forgery more complicated.

The machine is originated from Finland. It prints "Mk" after the figure row; it's the Finnish markka currency symbol. The machine is in pristine condition, considering its age, almost 100 years. It has an original serial number badge in front and the Todd Protectograph's logo badge in front of the case.

Long after its purposeful use ended, the machine was standing as a design prop in a bar in Helsinki city. When the bar was sold to the new owner and was undergoing a renovation, the machine ended up in a trash pile. It was scavenged from trash by an Estonian man who worked at the site and brought home to Pärnu, Estonia. After a few years it was sold and ended up in my collection.

Dimensions: 27,5/31,5 x 21/26 x 22,5 (H) cm.
Weight: 9,24 kg.

Year of manufacture: 1930s

Serial №: 338297