Lot 407

J.A. Fleming Describes his Work Alongside Edison, Marconi, & de Forest in Developing Wireless Telegraphy

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J.A. Fleming Describes his Work Alongside Edison, Marconi, & de Forest in Developing Wireless Telegraphy

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500

Starting Bid: $500

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

John A. Fleming
n.p., ca. 1930s
J.A. Fleming Describes his Work Alongside Edison, Marconi, & de Forest in Developing Wireless Telegraphy
AMS

John Ambrose Fleming autograph manuscript signed. 4pp, 8"x 13"; no place, circa 1930s. Four folio pages on a bifolium and two detached sheets, numbered 9 to 12 at top. Possibly in preparation for his 1934 autobiographical account titled, "Memories of a Scientific Life." Exceptional content mentioning Thomas Edison, Guglielmo Marconi, and Lee de Forest. Fleming's writing demonstrates the highly collaborative and interconnected nature of the early development of wireless communication technologies. Despite this, many legal disputes arose over the patents and inventions produced. Signed, "Dr. J.A. Fleming, F.R.S. [Fellow, Royal Society]" at top of page numbered 9. Slight offsetting, and a few tiny tears along top and bottom edges; otherwise very good. An exceptional manuscript recounting groundbreaking moments in science.

Manuscript reads in part: "In 1882 I was appointed Electrical Adviser to the then newly formed Edison Electric Ligh Cmpy [Company] of London. The physical phenomena connected with the incandescent lamp were therefore wrought closely before me.

In 1883 & 1885 I published papers on Molecular Shadows in Incandescent lamps which showed that there was a projection of matter from the carbon filament in straight lines.

In 1884 Edison noticed that if a metal plate is included in the bulb and connected outside bulb with + end of filament, a current flows called 'Edison Effect'. Edison made no use of it & did not explain it. In 1890, I described certain additional phenomena to the Roy Sty [Royal Society] and found some effect in arc lamp…

In 1899, I became connected with Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Comp. as Electrical Adviser & assisted them in establishing [?] long distance wireless structure at Poldkin [?]

At that time the […] detectors in W/T were… Magnetic detector. The idea struck me of taking advantage of the thermionic age…"

Page 11 is devoted to his invention of the oscillation valve: "I accordingly had many carbon filament lamps made with such metal cylinder and used these for rectifying high frequency currents as used in wireless telegraphy. This instrument I named an oscillation valve and it was found to be of use in wireless telegraphy…"

On page 12, he describes de Forest's innovation: "In 1907 de Forest added the grid consisting of a zigzag wire placed between the filament and the plate

Thus was born into the world the valuable thermionic valve consisting of an incandescent filament enclosed in a highly exhausted glass bulb…"

While Fleming and these other pioneers may have engaged in patent infringement lawsuits, this manuscript highlights how their inventions built upon each other's work, reflecting the iterative and cooperative process of scientific advancement.

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: 13" x 8"
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