Manuscript DS, signed “Thomas A. Edison,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 12.5, January 1, 1881. Document between Thomas A. Edison of Menlo Park and Benjamin F. Card of Brooklyn regarding the purchase of his patent for an electric meter, in part: "Whereas the said Card had granted of to him on the thirtieth day of December 1879 Letters Patent of the United States for Meter for measuring electricity and numbered #223,112 and the said Card is desirous of selling all his right, title and interest in the said Letters Patent and, whereas the said Thomas A. Edison is desirous of acquiring all said Card's right, title and interest in said invention and letters patent on the terms and conditions set forth viz: Two thousand Dollars in hand paid by the said Thomas A. Edison to the said Card on the receipt of which the said Card agrees to convey by assignment one undivided half interest...
The said Edison agrees to proceed as soon as practicable to construct such apparatus pursuant to said patent and to do all that is essential to render such an apparatus satisfactory as a reliable measure of the electric current. The said Edison shall have the right to sell the entire Patent but shall not grant licences under it." The document goes on to outline further terms and conditions related to the agreement. Boldly and prominently signed at the conclusion by Thomas Edison, and neatly countersigned by Benjamin Card; Card also signs two endorsements, one confirming receipt of Edison's $2,000 payment and the other extending their agreement until January 1883. In fine condition, with some minor paper loss along the edges.
On November 4, 1878, Card wrote to Edison asking if he would consider a submission of his electric meter invention in support of his research on the electric incandescent light: 'Have you settled yet on your Electro-meter for your Electric Light? If not I should be pleased to submit one of my own design.' His patent application for the device was filed on December 14, 1878, and granted in December 1879. Evidently impressed by the design, Edison—by this document—took partial ownership in the patent in 1881.
From The Papers of Thomas A. Edison: New Beginnings, January 1885–December 1887: 'Benjamin F. Card became an agent for the Edison Isolated Co. in New York City and Long Island about 1882, having previously corresponded with Edison about his own electric meter and electric railway inventions. (Edison took a partial ownership interest in a Card meter patent in 1881.) Edison complained in 1882 that he 'talks a great deal too much' and should be given a special assignment far from New York...By mid-1888, he was identified as an agent of the Edison Lamp Co.'
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