JB_003_335.xml

Title: [nd [wm 1798] To the Bank §]

Description: nd [wm 1798]

To the Bank

§. V Plan of Note 31

§. 5 Plan for a Bank Note – Note (b) is continued half down the next page.

§ 5. Plan for a Bank Note; with a view to both branches of Forgery –

Upon the whole, the plan of construction, suggested by the above principles, for

the matter of a Bank Note would be distributed into four paragraphs or

compartments.(a)

1. In the upper compartment, the words of the engagement itself as worded at

present, with the dates and employd at present, from an engraving on copper

plate (as at present), but accompanied by a portrait of the Governor, also from

an engraving on Copper, as proposed, with the legend, as proposed. The situation

of the portrait, either at the left hand corner of the paper, at the beginning

of the line, as at present, or in the center of the compartment.

2. In the second compartment from the top, the warning against Forgery, expressed

in Letter press as above, with the portrait of the Cashier: situated as before,

either on the left hand or in the center.

3. In the third compartment from the top, a notification of the different classes

of Notes, as above proposed, expressive of their several characteristic

differences in point of appearance.

4. Lastly, in a fourth compartment, might be exhibited a Notice, descriptive of

the method to be observed in cutting a note in two for the purpose of

conveyance: for which purpose a line marking the track for the knife or

scissors, together with ten or dozen […?] to point out the […?] of the line,

would be sufficient.(b)

Note

(a) In case of such a division, the course of the lines might, instead of running

parallel to the longer side of the paper, (as at present, run parallel to the

shorter side.

Note

(b) That the form of the Note has been modified for this purpose, and that

notification has been given of it by a multitude of advertisements, is what I am

sufficiently apprised of, but not being able, at least without study, to discuss

this

{ Note

(a) It may just be hinted, that for this purpose, to bring the number of classes

within compass, such as may be looked upon as capable of being spared without

inconvenience might be called in and discontinued. }

JB_003_342.xml

Title: [[Copyist’s hand: part of a booklet, comprising]

Description: [Copyist’s hand: part of a booklet, comprising folios 341 to 357]

nd [wm 1798]

1

Mr B is not quite certain with regard to the correctness of the copy, not having

examined it himself.

Thoughts

On the means of preventing Forgery, in the case of Paper Money: particularly Bank

of England Notes. –

§.1 Of Forgery in the way of Fabrication: - particular Safeguards proposed. –

[marginal heading:] 1 Forgery is either by 1. Fabrication, or 2 Alteration.

Forgery in general, and of Bank Paper in particular, is committed either in the

way of Fabrication, or in the way of Alteration.(a)

The distinction is a fundamental one: the plan of operation, to be pursued in

combating the criminal enterprize, being altogether different in the two cases.

[marginal heading:] 2. Safeguards against Fabrication. –

I Particular Expedients

1. Real Portrait from Copper-Plate

To begin with the case of Fabrication: being the case which in my view of the

matter presents the greatest difficulty. I will state in the first place the

particular expedients that have occurred to me: by this means, the general

principles, by which those expedients were suggested, will place themselves in

the clearer point of view.

1. In the room of the Emblematical figure, exhibit the head of some real person:

– some Officer of the Corporation: - either temporary such as the Governor; or

permanent, such as the Cashier: the Engraving to be executed by the most skilful

Artist whose services can be engaged.+

[marginal note:] For the use of this additament, see § 3 p. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

[marginal heading:] 3

2. Plates multiplied

by

2. As a means of reducing the expence (resulting from the

want

(a) Fabrication where a Paper Note which never passed through the hands of the

Bank, is made to assume the appearance of a Bank Note: alteration, or (as it may

be termed) falsification, where, in a real Bank Note, a fictitious larger sum is

contrived to be substituted to a genuine smaller sum.

JB_003_346.xml

Title: [[Copyist’s hand: part of a booklet, comprising]

Description: [Copyist’s hand: part of a booklet, comprising folios 341 to 357]

nd [wm 1798]

9

§.3. Of Forgery in the way of Fabrication – Application of the Principles.

the purpose of occasional trial the art of the Copper-Plate Printer can never be

altogether strange:) to which may or may not be added, as an art distinct from

that of engraving letters, the art of engraving figures, in respect of the

emblematical figure, which presents itself at the beginning of the writing

contained in a Bank

Note.

[marginal heading:] 3 –

2 – on the proposed plan –

In the framing of a Bank Note upon the plan proposed, the concurrence of the

following distinct arts would be rendered necessary viz:

1. The art of the Engraver of Portraits on Copper.

2. The art of the Letter Founder

3. The art of the Engraver of the Puncheons for the making of the moulds or

matrixes for the letters. –

4. The art of the maker of the moulds or matrixes

5. The art of the Finisher of the Letters when cast. –

6. The art of the Printer who prints the Letter-press. –

7. The art of the Engraver, who Engraves that one of the two portraits which is

to be engraved on wood: a branch of engraving so distinct from that of the

engraver on Copper, that a perfect master of the one may be comparatively very

inexpert in the other. –

8. The art of the Draughtsman, who makes the Draughts preparatory to the

engraving of the two Portraits.(a)

2.

Note

(a) I will not take upon me to aver the impossibility of executing by

Letter-press, what shall be taken for Copper-plate: but it will be utterly

impossible to execute, by the common mode of engraving Copper-plate, what shall

be taken for Letter-press: at least, if the impression made with the types be

made deep, in all the copies, with this view. By engraving the whole body of

letter-press together, as it were upon one large Puncheon, the arts of the maker

of the matrixes, the founder, and the finisher, of