Check Protector ~ The F&E Check Writer, Hedman MFG Co. ~ Vintage Business Office Equipment ~ Retro Technology hotsell ~ Check Fraud Prevention

This is a check protector used by businesses to help prevent check fraud. The name of this machine is 'The F&E Check Writer', the 'Royal Premier Model'. It was made by the Hedman MFG Co. of Chicago, a company that began making them in 1914. This one is probably from the early 40s era and is totally mechanical. When checks were handwritten, an unscrupulous person could carefully modify a check's original amount designation and wreak havoc for businesses. A check protector embosses the originator's designated amount into the paper of the check and inks it as well. This action removed the possibility of fraud that happened as a result of altering the pen and ink written check amount. There were other check protectors on the market in the early 1900s, but this one ended up as the go-to for many businesses. The last photo shows the imprint of a dollar amount from this machine. It won't operate without a key and there are two copies of the key included. The machine probably needs additional ink to function fully and I'm not aware of how hotsell to add the ink. Dimensions are 10 1/2" front to back, not including the handle, 7" side to side, 8 1/4" tall and the weight is 18.75 lbs. It has a silver and green paint job with some chrome trim and it is cosmetically almost perfect. The machine looks nearly new and is probably 7 or 8 decades old. Interesting bit of vintage business office equipment.