Summary
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians
Illustrated
Comprising an Unusual Collection of Money-Making, Money-Saving, and Health-Giving Prescriptions, Receipts, Formulas, Processes and Trade Secets
Secured at Considerable Expense from a Multitude of
Thinkers and Workers in Practical Affairs,
and edited by
Wm. K. David,
Author of The Short-Rule Arithmetic and Accountant’s Referee, Etc.
1902
Wm. K. David,
Publisher,
829 Cambria Street, Cor. Ninth,
Philadelphia.
Sent postpaid on receipt of price, $1.25
References
“HAVE TRIO UNDER ARREST
Secret Service Men Pick Up Three Alleged Counterfeiters.
With the arrest of Frank Lundstrom, of 531 Boren Avenue, by Captain Bell, head of the local United States Secret Service, and United States Marshal Tyler, the last of a trio of clever counterfeiters has been secured. … At his home on Boren Avenue there was found a bowl containing some bits of plaster of paris, a glass creamer, in which was some amalgam, reduced to liquid varnish with nitro muriatic acid and alcohol, a small brush to apply the gilding to coins, a bit of chamois skin for polishing the product and a book containing the formula for making the amalgam solution.
The book is entitled, ‘Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Physicians.’ It was recently offered for sale on the street here. Among a mass of information on everything from colic cure to the ‘Secret of the Famous talking Head Exposed’ is a formula entitled ‘Gold Plating Without a Battery.’ This page is the only one in the book which shows any signs of use. It is well thumbed. All about the formula are dirty finger prints and even a bit of the gold solution has been splashed on the leaf.
The solution is made of gold amalgam dissolved in nitro muriatic acid and mixed with alcohol. It is then applied to the coins as a varnish.”
– 13 Aug 1903, Seattle Daily Times, Seattle, Washington
“LIBRARY BOOKS TEACH HIM TO BREAK LAW
Counterfeiter Learns Trade by Studying in Public Institution.
…
Herman Wendt, a machinist arrested by secret service operatives yesterday afternoon for counterfeiting and conducting a large manufactory for spurious coins, studied counterfeiting from books secured from the Seattle Public Library. For several weeks he has frequented the Library, reading every book he could find on counterfeiting. When arrested Wendt was deep in a book entilted ‘Mixed Metals.’ Near by was a library volume entitled ‘Secrets of Wise Men, Great Chemists and Physicians.’ Several book marks in it and marked passages showed that Wendt has read it with avidity. … Wendt’s operation was a most complete one, consisting of seven molds made of plaster paris of sizes of $5 gold pieces, nickels, dimes, quarters, half-dollars and dollars.”
– 31 Dec 1905, San Francisco Call Bulletin, San Francisco, California
