Rare Antique ‘Metropolitan Police’ Fingerprint Kit (Boxed)

This amazing, early 1900’s police fingerprint lifting kit, appears not to have been used and is in excellent condition. The boxed kit was previously owned by the late ‘Mervyn Mitton’, author of the book ‘The Policeman’s Lot’ (a book on antique British police equipment). The wooden box is well made with a slide out lid, revealing two bottles of powder, a small brush with very fine bristles (hair), and a later typed note with a brief description ‘Early Fingerprint Kit – one of the first pattern issued on Division in the Metropolitan Police. MITTON COLLECTION’. The inside of the lid has an old label stating who made it and instructions on how to use it. The kit was made by ‘PERKIN SON & Co. Ltd. LONDON’. I think this must be a rare item, as I’ve never come across one, let alone in this condition. The box measures 18cm x 10,5cm x 3,5cm and weighs 335g.