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Description: Photos of Brunel patent (1799) Polygraph courtesy Science Museum London  (No 556) 
Origin: UK;  Circa: 1805; Materials:  Ebony, brass, steel.

I have documented an original box for the Polygraph  (No 129) at:  http://hygra.com/box/873WB-Brunel-patent-polygraph/  It is the only so-far known box with secret drawers:

Brunel's writing machine was first patented in the USA in 1799; three months later he was granted a UK patent, which was published in:

The Repertory of Arts, Manufactures, and Agriculture, Consisting of Original Communications, Specifications of Patent Inventions, Practical and Interesting Papers, Selected from the Philosophical Transactions and Scientific Journals of All Nations ...

https://books.google.co.uk/books/reader?id=NaYoAQAAMAA
J&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PA146 

The machines were manufactured and sold by J. H. Farthing, Cornhill, London. 

See  "Specification of the Patent granted to Mr. MARC ISAMBARD BRUNEL, of Canterbury.-Place, in the Parish of St. Mary, Lambeth in the County of Surrey, Gentleman ; for his Invention of a certain new and useful Writing and Drawing Machine, by which two or more Writings or Drawings, resembling each other may be made by the fame Person at the same Time. Dated April 11, 1799" 

Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available writing boxes with prices.
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boxes@hygra.com

 

When Bedini  Published his book Thomas Jefferson and His Copying Machines
in 1984 the only example he was able to trace was in the Science Museum in South Kensington.

The mechanism is currently in storage, but I was given the opportunity to take some photos. 

XXIX. Specification of the Patent granted to Mr. MARC ISAMBARD BRUNEL, of Canterbury.-Place, in the Parish of St. Mary, Lambeth in tbe County of Surrey, Gentleman ; for his Invention of a certain new and useful Writing and Drawing Machine, by which two or more  Writings or Drawings, resembling each other may be made by the fame Person at the same Time. Dated April 11, 1799

 

 

The pen-holders are hinged from a gantry.  They are made from wrought brass. 

The ebony frames are joined with comb joints

The mahogany strut with brass between connects the two pens. 

"A denotes a desk with folding hinges, which, when the parts fixed upon it are removed, may be folded together like a common portable writing-desk...

"two uprights E, E, which rest upon the desk, and have two pins or tenons preceding from the bottom of each, and let into the desk, to render them steady, but admitting of their being taken off and put on at pleasure."

The mechanism in the Science Museum is labeled: 

BRUNELS PATENT No 554
Sold by I. H. Farthing
Cornhill London.

The box frame  of the Science Museum Polygraph is a modern reproduction.

The mechanism is currently in storage, but I was given the opportunity to take some photos.