Description:

Thomas Edison
n.p., n.d.
Edison 1878 ALS "experience in articulating telephones have learned me better." With Record of Edison Letters on Telephones Just 2 years After Invention!
ALS

A handwritten letter signed by inventor Thomas Edison, regarding improvements to articulating telephones. 1 sheet (front and back), measuring 8" x 5", n.p., n.d. [ca. 1870-75]. Signed "T A Edison" with a flourish to the end and addressed to William Orton, President of the Western Union Telegraph Company. Edison discusses articulating telephone instruments made by Joseph Murray and improvements made to constancy in the machines. The letter, on Western Union Telegraph Company letterhead has been stamped with an ownership stamp reading, "This Book belongs to the Western Union Telegraph Co." With flattened folds, chipping, separations, and loss at the edges and folds. Repairs have been made to the fold separations with archival tape. Light toning and soiling throughout. Bold signature has minor smudging to the "E" in Edison's name and the tail of the flourish.

The letter is accompanied by a record of "Letters of T. A. Edison relative to Telephone matters", dated May 12, 1877 to December 23, 1878. 1p, measuring 7.75" x 10.25", with docketing on the verso. The document lists the date and subject of over 10 letters to numerous recipients. The letters concern various experiments made, telephone construction, Alexander Graham Bell, and more. Docketing present on the verso. With flattened folds and minor chipping at the edges. Pencil notation made from a previous owner at the bottom of the page. Overall very good.

Edison's signed letter reads in full:
"I think there will be no difficulty with the instruments now being made by Mr. Murray. I have made a very great improvement in the way of constancy and hence articulation. Have also made another kind altogether which works well. Murray's machines will I think work well & give satisfaction. If I was sure of what I have, I would be more enthusiastic, but experience in articulating telephones have learned me better."

Joseph Thomas Murray (1834-1907) was an American abolitionist, manufacturer, inventor, and early business associate of Thomas Edison. In October 1870, Murray was hired by Edison to work at American Telegraph Works, which manufactured telegraphic equipment. Together with Edison, he founded the small company J.T. Murray and Company in February 1872. The company was reorganized in 1873 as Edison and Murray and also assumed the operations of the recently defunct Edison and Unger company. Although Edison and Murray formally dissolved in their partnership in July 1875, Edison continued to use and improve products manufactured by Murray.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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