[D8850ADC], Letter from George Edward Gouraud to Thomas Alva Edison, September 8th, 1888
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Title
[D8850ADC], Letter from George Edward Gouraud to Thomas Alva Edison, September 8th, 1888
Editor's Notes
"I cabled you this afternoon as follows:- ### 'Your last received here. Gilliland cabled my dictation to avoid publicity. Regret any mis-understanding. You can best judge what number present perfection justifies making. I give you absolute discretion to fix and make that numer for my account. I can handle double ordered by American Company if machines equal Gilliland's representation of what they will be. Is this satisfactory? Answer. My address British Association. Triumphant success. Elite of Scientific World present. Room packed. Twice number turned away. Graphs followed to half empty house falling perfectly flat.' ### The above message I think quite explains itself. I have driven down from London to here + your Cables have been re-directed to me. ### The press-cutting + papers containing accounts of the Meeting will be forwarded you by next mail. ### The only point with regard to the foregoing Cable is this; and all my telegrams have been sent to you on the understanding that Mr. Gilliland had explained it to you fully viz; the Governors of both the machines I have are admittedly all round imperfect. That is they are not regular in governing, the consequence of which-even with [unclear] Gillilands Hamiliton manipulation in playing music-it gets constantly out of adjustment, + requires careful attention. Of course so long as this is the case the machine have to be left in the hands of an expert; but the moment perfect once in this respect are made, so that they can, after the first explanation, be placed in the hands of those who wish to buy, or in the hands of local Agents (as they will be on the first instance) where they may be left without the constant care of an expert, then it is safe to say I can place 50,000 a year. ### Of course it must be obvious to you, as it is to both Gilliland and myself, that in the interests of all concerned it is not well to make a large number daily of anything other than such an instrument that answers the latter description. ### Now you will know when you have reached that stage, and when you have reached it; you will, with the authority I have given you, put in hand such number for the daily out-put as you consider discreet. If you wish me to be more specific than this, I can only say that upon such conditions as regards the instrument as I have above indicated, you may have no hesitation in putting me down for the same member as the American Co. viz 30 per day, let the odd numbers of the instruments go to them and the even numbers to me, or vice-versa, so that there will be no question as regards deliveries. Until the machine reaches the condition I speak of. I will only require as many as experts can take out. ### Excuse my not signing this, as I've got an engagement to pass the Sunday with Lord Cork, and am hurrying off to catch the train." Yours very truly, G.E. Gouraud
Author
Recipient
Date
1888-09-08
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D8850-F
Microfilm ID
124:761
Document ID
D8850ADC
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University