The item shown is a Bates Numbering Machine, specifically a 6-wheel model from the Bates Manufacturing Co.

Here's some helpful information:

It's used for sequentially numbering documents, tickets, or cards.

The machine has settings for "duplicate," "repeat," and likely "consecutive" numbering.

Bates numbering is widely used in the legal field for indexing and referencing documents.

The depicted model is likely vintage, given the manufacturer's name and location (Orange, N.J., U.S.A).

It operates by stamping a number that advances with each use, aiding in organization and retrieval of documents.