Scarce ALS signed “R. J. Gatling,” one page both sides, 5.75 x 9, Trans-Continental Hotel letterhead, July 5, 1876. Letter to Edgar T. Welles, manager and treasurer of Gatling Gun Company, in full: “I have been busy in shight [sic] seeing since I have been here—the weather hot & little news to write about. I have seen a number of foreign officials & American officers. Accles yesterday in my presence took the new model gun apart at the special request of two French companions who are authorized by the French govt to make report on firearms in the Exhibition. I explained the gun fully to them & they expressed themselves as highly pleased with the mechanics, & said that they would embrace in their report the improvements that have been made in the gun. A number of other foreign officers have expressed a desire to get a thorough knowledge of the latest improvements in the gun, and I would suggest that you have the description of the new gun copied & have the same printed on a large sized letter sheet with the cut of the gun so Accles can have some of such circulars for distribution. Ingraham has copy of the description of new gun & you can look it over & make such changes & additions as you like. I have seen Genl. Benet, Genl Gillmore & many others.—Lyford is still away. I expect to leave for home Friday or Saturday, but may not get home before Monday next. Say to Ingraham I have rec’ the letter & papers he sent me.—I see Mr. Faxon daily.—He is in fine health.” In very good condition, with intersecting mailing folds, a few separations along horizontal mailing folds, and a clean tear to left edge. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Held in Philadelphia from May 10 to November 10, 1876—celebrating the 100th anniversary of American independence—the Centennial International Exhibition was the first official World’s Fair in the US; boasting such inventions as the first Remington typewriter and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, the event saw over ten million visitors and received international renown. Presenting medals for the finest inventions, all eyes fell on the Centennial Commission’s judges, as countless inventors pushed for the coveted honor. Fourteen years after patenting his eponymous gun, Richard Gatling was one such inventor—also a shrewd businessman, he knew that the publicity that would accompany this medal would propel the winner’s piece into commercial success. With over a decade of improvements made to the original design, the 1876 model Gatling surpassed its competition, including the powerful Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon, and was awarded the firearms medal in September. In this phenomenal letter to his sales manager, written from the historic expo just one day after America celebrated it’s landmark anniversary, Gatling announces the positive response to his weapon from French and American entities alike—a highly desirable combination of rarity, historic significance, and explicit firearm content.
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