Notarized DS, signed “Thomas Alva Edison,” one page, 7.5 x 12.5, August 24, 1888. Edison signs an oath stating “I, Thomas Alva Edison…Inventor, make oath and say, that I verily believe that I am the inventor of the new and useful Improvements in process of Duplicating Phonograms…and for which I solicit a patent…and I further say that the several allegations contained in the said petition are respectively true and correct.” Signed at conclusion in black ink with his ‘umbrella signature’ “Thomas Alva Edison.” In very good condition, with professional tape repairs and reinforcement to horizontal folds and paper loss along the folds, a few specks of paper loss to Edison’s ‘umbrella,’ a mild shade of uniform toning, staple holes to top left, and a few edge dings.
Edison had invented the phonograph in 1877, but the fame bestowed on him for this invention was not due to its efficiency. In reality, such sound recordings were usually distorted, and the tinfoil tore easily. Despite these inefficiencies, the inventor took four years before he returned to tweak it—allegedly because of an agreement to spend the next five years developing the New York City electric light and power system. By 1881 other like-minded individuals had improved upon that original invention to some extent, although it was another seven years before Edison here would file a patent for “new and useful Improvements in process of Duplicating Phonograms.” Amazingly, those wax…and later vinyl…recordings served their entertainment purpose for more than a century! Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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