Welcome to P.I. Museum and the Iconic Worlds of Detectives, Spies and Private Eyes
The P.I. Museum is located in downtown San Diego, CA.
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P.I. Museum is available for viewing by appointment for individuals and groups. The items on display represent just 25% of the total collection!
The Historic Artifacts & Treasures of our profession are displayed in 5 lighted glass cases.
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Eugene Francois Vidocq (1775-1857)
Vidocq was the first to pave the way for what we enjoy professionally today. He is immortalized by the work of the Philadelphia-based Vidocq Society.
All of the following were greatly influenced in their writings about many of the best known detectives: Balzac, Edgar Allen Poe, Eugene Sue, Victor Hugo, Conan Doyle are among those Vidocq inspired.
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Allan Pinkerton
America & Canada both witnessed the development and work of this great firm, founded in 1850. School children are rarely told that this man saved newly-elected President Lincoln from sure death on the way to his first inauguration.
In the midst of political upheaval and a divided nation, politicians, businessmen and men in law enforcement came together to form a conspiracy group plotting to assassinate Lincoln.
Pinkerton learned about the plot, and saw to it that the new President reached Washington, D.C. safely.
What would the US – and Canada – be like if this one Private Investigator had not done his job well, and Lincoln never served his country as president?
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Nicholas Boilvin “Nick” Harris
This colorful P.I. began Nick Harris Detectives in 1906 and it’s still going strong!
Nick Harris Detectives came later and was (until recent years) operated by media friendly Milo Spiriglio.
Mr. J. Corey Friedman is now the owner/operator of this agency that is older than the FBI!
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Jay J. Armes
Jay J. Armes, a living legend in the industry, works out of his base in El Paso, Texas with his son, J.J. Jr.
Jay J. Armes is known as the “World’s Most Successful Private Eye”
He’s both real and fictional!
His 1970’s era J.J. Armes Action Doll and M.I.V. or Mobile Investigative Vehicle was extremely popular.
Jay J. overcame adversity at an early age. Railroad explosives caused the loss of both of his hands as a young boy but that helped form the determined character that brought him so much success.
Stan Lee is working on a movie, comic book and more toys for the kids — all based on J.J. Armes. His Lear Jet, his private zoo (containing many of the world’s big cats) and cases from all over the world keep him young.
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Dick Tracy, G-Man, Magnum P.I., Dragnet, I Spy, Man From U.N.C.L.E., Get Smart, and more.
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Night vision, tracking devices, polygraph, voice stress, transmitters/receivers, and much more.
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