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193

Thomas Edison

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Thomas Edison

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Auction Date:2012 Jul 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “E,” one page, 8.5 x 11, no date. Letter written by Edison on the first page of a two-page TLS to Edison, dated June 23, 1923, from Herman Reinbold regarding the sale of a spodumene mine called “Bull–Con.” Reinbold concludes his letter with, “If you are still interested in the ‘Bull–Con’ Claim, please let me know—I have no doubt, that whatever you invest will yield an independent supply of ore, whenever it should be need by your company.” Edison’s response reads, in full: “I have received your letter of June 23rd, in regard to the ‘Bull-Con’ spodumene mine at Keystone. I have a long contract with the Standard Essence Co. and will not work a mine. I bought the Swanzy mine and paid $6000 for it. I will give you $3000 for the adjacent mine, which I understand is called ‘Bull-Con.’ Neither of these mines has any value to me as long as the Standard Essence Co. remains in business and furnishes me with lithia. The only value these mines would have would be in case the Standard Essence Co. would stop and go into liquidation. Then I could work these mines for myself. Of course, I know you will not accept my offer, but that is all I will give and this offer will hold good only for three months from this date.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, some light contrast to Edison’s handwriting over typed text, expected light soiling from the pencil, punch and staple holes to top edge and a bit of light toning.

As Ford’s Model A car gained popularity in the late teens, he realized that the difficult cranking mechanism required to start the automobile was deterring customers from making the purchase. Admitting that he needed a better method, he sought the help of his dear friend and next-door neighbor in Fort Myers, Florida: Thomas Edison. Edison had spent a good deal of time working on an electric car battery in the past, and came to the conclusion that Ford’s car could be started with a battery of its own. With that idea in mind, Edison began purchasing spodumene mines in South Dakota to mine for the lithium needed in the creation of the perfect lightweight battery. Though he did receive most of his lithium supply through the Standard Essence Co., he continued to purchase his own mines to ensure that the supply would not cease should something happen to Standard Essence. Edison did purchase a mine in Pennington County, South Dakota in 1923, presumably the mine mentioned in this letter. This is a fantastic letter involving a project that held both serious business motivations as well as personal motivations in helping his close friend Henry Ford.
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