LS signed as secretary of state, “Th: Jefferson,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, April 15, 1790. Letter to the Governor of Maryland, John Eager Howard. In full: “I have the honor to send you herein the enclosed two copies duly authenticated of the Act to Promote the Progress of Useful Arts, and of being with the sentiments of the most perfect respect.” Professionally silked on the reverse, the letter shows light toning along horizontal folds, an area of thin paper to upper left blank area, and a few wrinkles and creasing, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a photocopy of the Act from the Library of Congress.
In this letter, the future president sends word to the state of Maryland in regards to a newly established patent office...an idea on which he wasn’t totally convinced. Jefferson did not think it fair—or even constitutional—to grant what he saw as a monopoly to an inventor, who would then be able to grant the use of his idea only to those who could afford it. Rather than allow a patent, he felt that all people should have full access to new technology—one of the reasons he never took out a patent on his own inventions.
Jefferson saw the ultimate goal of the Patent Act of 1790—passed by Congress five days before this letter was composed—as promoting an invention, not protecting it. The legislation assigned the secretary of state to head the new Patent Office. Jefferson, who called the office ‘the Board of Arts,’ took pride in this duty and gave personal consideration to every application for a patent that was filed between 1790 and 1793. He hoped to be as fair as possible in his administration of patents and to try to develop a system that worked for the benefit of both inventors and the common man. This bill was the basis of the nation’s patent system until contemporary times. It is worth noting that Jefferson’s hand and influence giving protection to the inventor but access to the user, as well as the utility of the invention, are still benchmarks of the US Patent Office. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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