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Thomas A. Edison Historic 1872 Manuscript Signed...
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Description
Thomas A. Edison Historic 1872 Manuscript Signed Partly printed historic manuscript document signed, "T.A. Edison," and on a 5-cent Revenue Stamp bearing George Washington's likeness, "TAE/Jan 17/1872," one page, 8 1/2" x 14". New York, January 17, 1872. The 24-year-old inventor sells the rights to his invention of an improvement in District and Alarm Telegraphs. Edison had been a telegraph operator. At the time of this document, Edison was immersed in devising inventions for the use and improvement of the telegraph. He had also been involved in the improvement of the stock ticker. With the $40,000 he gained from selling some of his stock ticker inventions, he was able to establish his Newark, New Jersey laboratory. His years in Newark (1870-1876) were characterized by a number of telegraph patents and partnerships. The year of this document marked the start of a four-year period during which Edison conducted the manufacturing of telegraphic instruments for Western Union Telegraphic Co. and the Automatic Telegraph Co. He had several workshops in Newark. He worked on and completed the motograph, automatic telegraph system, duplex, quadruplex, sextuplex and multiplex telegraph systems. In 1874, he invented the district telegraph signal box. The district telegraph is one of the subjects in this patent. In part: "Whereas, I, Thomas A. Edison, of Newark... have invented an Improvement in District and Alarm Telegraphs for which I have executed papers of like date herewith to be filed as a Caveat in the U.S. Patent Office. And whereas Elisha W. Andrews and Horace L. Hotchkiss, of the City and State of New York are desirous of acquiring a certain right in said invention and in any Letters Patent... I have assigned and sold, and by these presents do transfer, convey and set over, unto the said Elisha W. Andrews and Horace L. Hotchkiss, the entire right, title and interest of every character in and to the said invention and Letters Patent for use in District and Alarm Telegraphing only, reserving to myself the exclusive right to use the said invention for business and commercial telegraphing and electro mechanical purposes." On verso is a manuscript document signed, "Saml. A. Duncan," as Acting Commissioner of Patents indicating Edison's sale was "Received for record April 25th 1872 and recorded in Liber 015 page 89 of Transfer of Patents." On verso of integral leaf, folded for filing and docketed in a secretarial hand, "Dated January 17th 1872/Thomas A. Edison/to/E.W. Andrews/and/H.L. Hotchkiss/Assignment of/entire right in invention/of Imp. In District/and Alarm/Telegraph." Four years later, Edison moved his workshop to Menlo Park, New Jersey, where his inventions included the phonograph and the incandescent electric lamp. In 1887, he moved his workshop to Orange, New Jersey, and, five years later, merged his Edison General Electric Co. into a new company called General Electric. Edison patented over 1000 inventions. This document concerns one of his earliest. Lightly creased, edges of folds worn, lightly toned, else fine condition. Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.Auction Info
2005 April Historical Manuscripts & Autographs Auction #611 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2005
13th
Wednesday
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