SOLD
4,000.00USD+ (1,000.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2019 Jan 25 @ 11:19UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require sp...
The Thomas Edison- Joseph Swan British Patent Archive, c1880-1883
An incredibly important archive of original British patents. Issued to both Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan and several of their esteemed cohorts as part of the Edison-Swan Company at the onset of the invention, manufacture and production of incandescent light products and all things related. Edison and Swan were two of the most influential and important inventors of their day, who came up with ideas for inventions that changed humanity. This archive was sold by Harrod’s of London to a client in 1971 and has now surfaced. Harrods Certificate of Authenticity is included. It is one of the most important archives related to modern inventions imaginable.
Imagine owning these original British patents! 1879 #4576 to Thomas Alva Edison for "Improvement in electric lamps and in the manufacturing of same" with a great red seal and 2 embossed stamps. 1880 Patent #578-80 to Thomas Alva Edison in Menlo Park, NJ for "Improvement in electric lamps and in the manufacturing of same" with a great red seal and 2 embossed stamps. Some toning. 1881 issued to Joseph Wilson Swan for "Improvements in and relating to incandescent electric lamps". Some foxing. There are many more patents included that are issued to other Edison-Swan inventors.
The Invention of Incandescent lighting!
Incandescent lighting was first done by Sir Humphrey Davey in 1801-1802. Davey was responsible for major advances in artificial lighting devices. Experiments continued around the western world for nearly a century, before two men in separate places at the same time began a series of experiments that led them to the same place- the electric light.
This archive was purchased by a family in London from Harrod’s in 1971. While the papers are interesting, the family never knew what they had.
Approximately 36 documents from the c1880-1883 period here document the invention and advancement of the electric incandescent lamp and related pieces or equipment. The papers are all original patents issued to the inventors, and the list is a virtual “who’s who” of the Edison-Swan Company. While further provenance is unknown, it appears indisputable that these documents are part of, or all of, the patent archive of the original Edison-Swan Company.
The History of the New Lighting
Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan were both active in experiments with electricity and light, but in different parts of the world – Edison in the USA and Swan in England. Swan was the first of the two to receive a patent for electric incandescent lamps in 1879 and Edison got his in 1880.
Edison had first tested his light on October 22, 1879, and received a patent on Nov. 4, 1879. That first light lasted a whopping 13.5 hours. He improved the design and received a second patent Jan 27, 1880. That lamp became the first commercially practical incandescent lamp in the world. Swan had publicly demonstrated an incandescent lamp in London in Feb 1879. With improvements, he received a British patent in November, 1880.
Meanwhile, the US Patent office voided Edison’s patent in 1883, bowing to a counterclaim by William E. Sawyer. After six years of litigation, Edison’s patent was validated and restored in 1889.
In order to avoid more possible litigation, Edison and Swan got together and formed a mutual company in Britain known variably as the Ediswan Company or the Edison and Swan United Electric Company. It is from this company that this archive must originate.
The Patents and Players (with the number of patents in this Archive)
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1941) (2 Patents). Major inventor, genius, considered one of, if not the most important American inventor. He played a major factor in the invention of many, many modern machines and devices that changed industry forever.
Joseph Swan (1828-1914). (4 Patents). Swan began his experiments on light bulbs at least as early as 1850 (when Edison was only 3). His first British patent along these lines was in 1860. In 1875 he rekindled his interest, first publicly displaying a successful light bulb in Feb., 1879, a number of months before Edison and unknown to Edison. He received a patent November, 1880.
Charles Henry Stearn (1844-1919). (2 Patents) Stearn began working for Swan in 1877 and was indispensable as a key inventor within the Swan realm. By 1882 he was managing Director of the Swan United Electric Company.
John Francis Albright (1857-1914). (1 Patent). Albright was a young engineer who began work with Swan in 1880. After the joining with Edison, Albright ran the ship lighting division of the company.
Edward Griffith Brewer (c1847-?). (9 Patents). Brewer received several British patents for improvements to electric lamps in 1880. He may have been working for Edison Swan at that time. He was an inventor of a number of kinds of machinery and apparatus.
Charles Gimingham (1853-1890). (2 Patent). Gimingham and his brother Edward were scientists in London. In 1881 he began work for the Swan Company. After “greatly simplifying and improving” incandescent lamps, Gimingham continued work for Swan and its successor- Edison-Swan, where he managed a factory. Gimingham was also such a well known scientist that he had consulting work for the likes of Charles Darwin on water problems at the Darwin house.
Nelson King Cherrill (1845-?). (1 Patent) Cherrill was an early photographer, and little is known of him during the 1880’s. In all likelihood, Cherrill invented an incandescent lamp for photographic purposes. His British patent was for “Improvements in exhausting the bulbs of incandescent lamps, Nov. 22, 1882. At the time he was a resident of Paris.
Peter Jensen (1847-?). (6 Patents). Jensen was nothing short of a major inventor. A longtime friend of Edison, he had at least dozens of patents from 1877-1880. These patents were for important things such as part of the electro-magnetism systems for railroads; dynamo electric devices; propellers; production of nitrogen and oxygen; improvements in breech-loading cannon; improvements in systems for conductors for the distribution of electricity as a lighting agent, and other electric lighting agents.
Edward Hibbard Johnson (1846-1917). (1 Patent). Edison’s mentor, inventor of the Christmas lights. In 1871, Johnson hired the young Edison “but the whiz kid proved so brilliant and entrepreneurial that in short order their roles reversed”, said one of Johnson’s biographers C. Klein (2014)
Thomas John Handford. (?) (8 Patents). Got a patent (or more) for batteries associated with incandescent lamps. Appears to have worked for the joint company after 1882.
Frederick John Cheesbrough (1842-?). (1 Patent). Cheesbrough received a patent for improvements relating to electric lamps and switches in 1879, and probably worked for Swan.
Alexander Bewicke Blackburn. (1811-1897). (1 Patent). Appears to have orked for the Swan group in the early 1880’s, received patent for improvements to lighting globes. Engineer and inventor, invented the Blackburn steam car about 1877.
Auction Location:
3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview will be at our Auction Location,
3555 Airway Drive Suite 309
Reno, NV 89511
on Wednesday, January 23, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or by appointment.
Please call 775-851-1859
Nevada State Sales Tax
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| NSST |
8.265% |
Nevada Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
Additional Fees:
| Fee | Amount | Applicable Locations | Applied To |
| Handling |
5.00
|
Not Applicable
|
This fee applies to the total of the invoice
|
Shipping Details:
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require special handling for which individual costs will be calculated and applied to the shipping charge on the invoice. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipment of large or special items. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: Federal Express or the US Postal Service. All items shipped Federal Express or USPS will be insured for the full value determined at auction by HWAC, which is included in our buyer’s premium. Pick up is available from our Reno office the next business day after the auction.
Large, heavy or fragile items will incur extra shipping charge. After initial payment we will pack your shipment and print shipping label. We will then re-invoice you for any additional charges.
Please consider extra costs of shipping and handling charges when you make your purchases.
We encourage you to pick up items after the auction. Many items may require special handling and would incur additional handling and shipping costs way beyond those anticipated.
Payment Details:
Due on receipt of invoice.
If paying by Credit Card please call our office at 775-851-1859 to arrange payment.
Accepted Payment Methods:
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Terms and Conditions
This is a Live Auction conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC (HWAC).
1. The placing of a bid shall constitute the bidder’s acceptance of these terms of sale.
2. BUYER’S PREMIUM & INSURANCE: There will be a 25% Buyer’s Premium added to the sale price (hammer) of each lot. We accept cash, checks, money orders or wire transfers, credit cards and PayPal.
3. COINS, CURRENCY AND PRECIOUS METALS, Insurance. The buyer’s commission for this section is 20.5%. Coins and currency shall be defined as any regular Federal issue circulating coins and currency. Tokens are not considered coins. Precious metals shall be defined as ingots, silver or gold rounds, bullion items, gold nuggets. Mineral specimens are not considered under the precious metals category. Commemorative items such as metals and ribbons are not considered coins of precious metals. However, lots that consist entirely of gold or silver of high purity, including commemorative metals, are considered precious metals. Please contact our office if you need clarification on a specific lot.
4. SALES TAX: Sales tax will apply, according to Nevada State law, for any items that ship to or are picked up in Washoe County, Nevada (8.265%) unless a current, valid resale certificate is faxed to us at 775-851-1834 before bids are placed.
5. SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling will be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping and handling is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be re-invoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require special handling for which individual costs will be calculated and applied to the shipping charge on the invoice. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipment of large or special items. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: Federal Express or the US Postal Service. All items shipped Federal Express or USPS will be insured for the full value determined at auction by HWAC, which is included in our buyer’s premium. Pick up is available from our Reno office the next business day after the auction.
6. LIVE (FLOOR) BIDDING: Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and receive your bidding paddle. We will open lots with more than one bid at the current high absentee bid or 50% of the low estimate at the auctioneer’s discretion. Please be sure to bid on the correct lots during the live auction. Our auction progress is at a rate of between 60 and 200 lots per hour. An item is not sold until the next lot is announced. (We cannot be responsible for Internet bids that arrive late.) The auctioneer will identify the successful bidder by number and announce the winning bid amount. If you are not sure whether you won the lot or not, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification immediately, prior to the start of the next auction lot. Auctioneer reserves the right to reopen the lot in the case of an immediate dispute at the actual time of the sale.
7. TELEPHONE BIDDING: Telephone bidding requests MUST be scheduled prior to this auction. If you do not schedule in advance, and choose instead to call on the day of the auction to request a line for bidding, you may find that we are unable to accommodate your request. Please limit your telephone bids to items of value greater than $500, or to a string of items with a similar total.
8. LIVE AUCTION ABSENTEE BIDDING: Mail or FAX Absentee bids for the live auction MUST be received by 5pm Pacific Time the day before the auction. Bids accepted after the cutoff time will be represented live only if an agent is available and will not be considered absentee or given first priority as such. It is your responsibility to submit all lot numbers and bid amounts accurately. Absentee bids MUST be equal to at least 50% of the low estimate if an estimate is provided. Bids on “No Lots” or “Withdrawn” Lots are considered no-bids. Bids made in amounts that do not conform to the bid increment table in item 8 below will be automatically rounded up or down by the computer, or rounded to the nearest proper bid increment at the discretion of the auctioneer. Absentee bids are entered into a computer that will bid live on your behalf at the auction. Absentee bids will compete live against other absentee bids, live Internet bidders, floor bidders and phone bidders.
9. INTERNET BIDDING: Both Absentee and Live Internet bidding are available through our live auction networks. If you wish to bid LIVE via the Internet, you MUST pre-register. A live feed is generally accessible during the auction for those bidding via the Internet. Online bidding remains open through the live auction, and online absentee bids may be placed anytime. Live bidding will open when the auction starts. Internet bidding is offered as a convenience for those who cannot attend the live sale. Please note that there may be delays or interruptions in Internet connectivity that are beyond our control. Attending the live auction or arranging for an agent is the most reliable way to secure your bids.
10. NEW BIDDERS: Bidders unknown to us, who anticipate an expenditure in excess of $20,000, must provide commercial references or a deposit of 25% of the amount to be bid in order for the auction staff to execute bids. Deposits will be credited towards lots won and any balance will be refunded within 10 business days after the auction has concluded. New bidders will be given a spending limit at their initial request to participate. In order to increase this limit, you may be required to provide a letter of authorization from your bank in addition to providing references. Please contact our office at any time if you have questions regarding spending limits or references required to bid.
11. AGENT BIDDING: There are numerous professional agents available to assist you should you require this service. Please contact the office for a list or to arrange for representation on the floor during the live auction. HWAC is not responsible for any acts or omissions by agents acting on behalf of bidders at our auctions.
BE ADVISED: Auction participation through the live Internet bidding site is not 100% foolproof. The technology for this process is always changing, and the operation of it and the corresponding Internet connectivity issues are far beyond our control. Some folks have attempted to use the live Internet bidding process as their primary method of bidding, and have been quite successful. Others have failed completely. Depending upon your computer, server, host, and other factors, Internet signals may be delayed, such that bids may not be received in time. We cannot be held responsible for these delays, or for the lack of placed bids in a timely manner, or any other factors leading to unaccepted bids that are far beyond our control. Bidders should always have a backup plan for lots they highly desire. Live participation is best, followed by phone participation. We will not reopen lots for missed bids.
12. RESERVES: Most of the lots in this auction are unreserved. Gold is generally reserved at or near spot, though it could be slightly below spot.
13. BIDDING INCREMENTS: All bids must be submitted in U.S. dollars and in whole dollar amounts only in the appropriate increments as outlined below. If you choose to submit bids in an increment not listed below, your bid will be rounded to the nearest increment and you will be expected to pay the amount to which the bid was rounded should your bid be the winning bid. If you have any questions about an appropriate bid amount, please call us.
14. BID REDUCTION: All winning absentee bids will be reduced, if necessary, to the next bidding increment up from the last competing bid, as long as the minimum bid requirement has been met. For example, if you submit an absentee bid of $1000 and the next highest competing bid is $250, then you will win the lot for $275.
15. BID INFORMATION: Collectors often ask in advance the price level of a particular lot. We will give out the current competitive high absentee bid until we close the day before the live auction. You may also view absentee bids online at www.holabirdamericana.com. While we try to update the absentee bids as often as necessary, bids received close to the bidding deadline might not be reflected online, and we disclaim any responsibility for any bids made in reliance upon inaccuracies on our website, which may be beyond our control. We do not own any of the live Internet bidding platforms, and thus many aspects of the Internet technology are out of our control.
16. BID CANCELLATION: If you wish to cancel or change a bid after you have submitted your bids to us due to an error, you MUST PHONE us to advise us of this. Bid cancellations through mail, email, or faxes are not advisable. Errors are easy to make. Please call us if you have any questions on this.
17. All stock certificates, checks, warrants, and other financial documents sold herein are sold as antiquities, and have no financial, securities, or public trading value whatsoever.
18. We reserve the right to reject any bid we feel is not made in good faith.
19. INVOICING: Shipping charges will be added to all invoices. Invoices are mailed or emailed within two business days after the close of all portions of the sale. Within 15 calendar days of receipt of invoice, payment is due in full to Holabird Western Americana Collections, 3555 Airway Dr., #308, Reno, NV 89511. LATE FEES MAY BE ADDED IF PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOT MADE WITHIN THOSE 15 DAYS. Sales tax will be added to all sales picked-up after the auction or shipped to Nevada addresses, according to Nevada State law, unless a resale certificate is provided.
20. PAYMENT: We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Money Order/Cashier’s Check, Personal Check or PayPal. Customers wishing to pay by check or money order MUST contact our office for an invoice total before sending payment All returned checks are subject to a $25 fee. Cash received in amounts greater than $10,000 is subject to the filing of IRS form 8300, as required by law.
21. SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All invoices are subject to a minimum shipping and handling charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be re-invoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require special handling for which individual costs will be calculated and applied to the shipping charge on the invoice. The buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for shipment of large or special items. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: Federal Express or the US Postal Service. All items shipped Federal Express or USPS will be insured for the full value determined at auction by HWAC, which is included in our buyer’s premium. Pick up is available from our Reno office the next business day after the auction.
22. NON-PAYMENT: HWAC reserves the right to cancel any invoice not paid in full within 15 days. A cancelled invoice does not relieve the bidder from their obligation to pay seller fees and buyer’s premiums compensating HWAC for its services in conducting the auction. Interest shall run on all outstanding balances at the highest rate permitted by law. HWAC shall have a lien against the merchandise purchased by the bidder, and any other of bidder’s property then held by HWAC or its affiliates, to secure payment of the invoice, and with respect thereto HWAC shall have all the rights of a secured creditor under the Nevada Commercial Code, including but not limited to the right of sale. HWAC may sell the lot(s) securing the invoice to any under bidders in the auction that the lot(s) appeared, or at subsequent private or public sale, or relist the lot(s) in a future auction conducted by HWAC. A defaulting bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable costs of resale (including a 10% seller’s commission, if consigned to an auction conducted by HWAC). The defaulting bidder is liable to pay any difference between his or her total original invoice for the lot(s), plus any applicable interest, and the net proceeds for the lot(s) if sold at private sale or the subsequent hammer price of the lot(s) less the 10% seller’s commissions, if sold at an HWAC auction. If HWAC refers any invoice to an attorney for collection, the bidder agrees to pay attorney’s fees, court costs, and other collection costs incurred by HWAC. Any bidder who fails to follow the terms of payment will be reported to iCollector and may be barred from participating in future Holabird Western Americana auctions.
23. CONDITION: We strongly recommend that you attend the live preview to see lots in their entirety. Conditions are not always noted, and large lots may not be itemized due to catalog restraints. For questions, detailed information, or additional images of any lot please contact our office at 775-851-1859. Bidders are responsible for understanding the condition of items. Conditions noted are subjective, and may differ in the opinion of different people or collectors.
24. RETURN POLICY: All items are guaranteed to be authentic unless otherwise noted. If authenticity is challenged, please call our office for assistance. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. You may only return any piece that was significantly inaccurately described by calling our office within 10 days of receipt of item(s) and notifying us of the error and reason for return. We do not refund postage or insurance. Please call us if you require a more specific condition report. Any items that are returned must be returned in the exact, unaltered condition. When we receive your bids we will assume you have read the description in the catalog, viewed the image of the item, have contacted us regarding any questions you may have on any lot and/or have previewed the lot in person.
25. This sale is being held under the laws of the State of Nevada.
26. HWAC shall not be held responsible for any problem due to the bidder’s failure to follow the rules, terms and conditions of this sale, or any failure to bid due to the loss of the online auction process provided by any of the online auction networks; or missed bids, changed bids or cancelled due the bidder’s failure to follow the proper bidding procedure outlined herein.
27. By placing a bid or otherwise participating in the auction, Bidder accepts these Terms and Conditions, and specifically agrees to the dispute resolution provided herein.
28. HWAC shall not be responsible for consequential damages, incidental damages, compensatory damages, or any other damages arising or claimed to be arising from the auction on any lot. Bidder’s sole remedy for any proven act or omission shall be rescission of sale and refund of the amount paid by Bidder.
29. Any claim, dispute, or controversy in connection with, relating to and/or arising out of the Auction, participation in the Auction, award of lots, damages of claims to lots, descriptions, condition reports, provenance, estimates, return and warranty rights, any interpretation of these Terms and Conditions, any alleged verbal modification of these Terms and Conditions and/or any purported settlement shall be exclusively heard by, and the parties consent to exclusive in personal jurisdiction of, the Superior Court of Washoe County, Nevada. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of the auction from which the claim arose or the claim is waived. In every case, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its attorney’s fees and costs.