the shading in the genuine always is done all the way across all at once, and there is a perfect uniformity from beginning to end; the lines all point exactly in the same direction, whether horizontal or diagonal, on the “T” in “THE” as on “F” in “OF,” preserving the same angle and fineness throughout. In counterfeits, where the letters are shaded by hand, one letter at a time, if the lines pretend to be horizontal, some are apt to slant a little downwards or upwards, some letters shaded a little finer than others—that is where they are intended to be alike and uniform. This principle of Uniformity in shading is very important, and should always be noticed. See the words “Universal,” “Detector,” “Banks,” and “United States,” in the [steel plate], which are shaded by the Ruling Engine, while the word “Counterfeit” is shaded by hand to illustrate counterfeit work.
The sky in vignettes in the genuine is sometimes ruled by the Ruling Engine, and always appears soft, smooth, and perfectly done, and in this case the lines taper off gradually. Imitations of this by hand will appear uneven and scratchy, some lines coarser than others, and some wider apart than others. All genuine skies, however, are not done by the Ruling Engine, but are sometimes fine dots or wavy lines, which fade off into fine dots, and sometimes heavy rolling clouds, circular lines, but it is always done perfectly and beautifully, and looks smooth and natural, being always done in genuine bills by first class artists, while the sky in counterfeits is generally apt to appear coarse and scratchy, and not fading off gradually enough.
G H
Magnified 5 to 10 times.
Diagram G serves to represent the style of genuine Ruling Engine work as it appears when magnified 5 to 10 times, and H an imitation of Ruling Engine shading as done by hand and magnified the same. A first-class Ruling Engine is said to cost $3000.
RULE III.
MEDALLION OR PENTOGRAPH RULING.
(Infallible when Imitated.)
The Medallions are raised patterns, or line-engravings, generally representing a head, or some raised fancy patterns in genuine Bank Notes, which look as if raised up from the paper. They are called medallions because they are copied always from and represent the pattern upon a medal. It is done by the Pentograph Ruling Engine, which, guided by the medal, rules the whole pattern in full length lines, and the dies are double transferred to the plate, which makes the lines black, the same in appearance as if the pattern was ruled directly upon the plate itself by the engine. This work is done upon the same principle in mechanics of “guides,” as shoe-lasts are turned by the “Last turning machine.” A model last is used for a guide to the machine, which turns out of a rough-hewn block of wood a last exactly like the model. Thus in genuine medallion ruling there is always a medal or coin used for a “guide.” The points in determining genuine medallions from imitations engraved by hand, are, the lines in the genuine all run in one general direction; they are always full length lines across the whole pattern, the lines are all exactly the same size or caliber, they never cross each other. Every undulation in the pattern on the guide or medal is copied with the most unerring exactness, and articulated distinctly and beautifully correct, which is impossible to be done so perfectly by hand. In the counterfeit the lines are apt to break off in the midst of the pattern; some lines are apt to be coarser than others, which gives it a scratchy appearance. In the genuine, the lines crowd together in the parts of the pattern that appear depressed or sunken, and spread apart more where the pattern appears raised and looks whiter, producing the lights and shades with the most magnificent ease and effect. In the counterfeit done by hand the lines do not crowd and spread apart again, according to the pattern, with such ease and effect, but the patterns appear stiff, flat, or imperfectly raised. There is always one of two ways or alternatives in which the hand-work imitations appear to fail. If they succeed in making the lines full length, as they ought to be, then the pattern will inevitably appear flat in expression, imperfectly raised; but if they succeed in making the pattern look raised, as it ought to be, then there will inevitably be broken or forked lines all through the midst of the pattern. It seems impossible to combine in hand-work imitations of this extremely fine and complicated work full length lines, and at the same time a perfectly finished and raised pattern, which the Pentograph Ruling Engine always does in the highest perfection.