PONTING'S TICKET BOOKING MACHINE YEAR 1875

 

Very rare Edwin T. Ponting multiple writing machine, manufactured in 1875 in South Woodford, Essex, England.

This machine was used by pawnbrokers to issue pawn tickets in triplicate. It may look like a polygraph, pantograph, duplicator, photocopier or multiple writing machine... and it would have been possible to use it for those purposes, but the reality is, as we have said before, it was to issue pawn tickets in triplicate.

It is a large machine, measuring 64x53x30 cm, made of mahogany wood. It looks like a lap desk and it really is. Sheltered by a wooden roof, the machine is located in the upper left corner, which is deployed through a pointer and moves towards the center of the base. There you could place a pawn ticket and it would be mechanically written in triplicate. This system is made of brass. Next to it there is a brass plate with the name of the machine, manufacturing company and address. The table on the right has two hinges (one is broken and a piece of wood is missing) and allows us to lift a lid where we see a paper with instructions. It is somewhat deteriorated so we only see part of it. A drawer with the duplicator system moves underneath.

Ponting's machine is preserved in good aesthetic condition, although use and the passage of time are evident. However, it is wood and can be polished and prepared without much problem. We have not tested its operation, the machine is sold as seen in the photos.

Very curious and rare machine, difficult to find, collector's item, very interesting for a collection of antique typewriters.

 

Age: 1875

Measurements: 64x53x30 cm

Condition: Good

Reference: 12185