[D8805AHA], Letter from George Frederick Kunz to Thomas Alva Edison, October 3rd, 1888

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Title

[D8805AHA], Letter from George Frederick Kunz to Thomas Alva Edison, October 3rd, 1888

Editor's Notes

"Absence from home and a rush of business have prevented my previous making good the promise made to you the other evening that I spent at your home so pleasantly and profitably. ### I sent you to-day a box containing 1st some perodotite rock from the Giant's Causeway, Ireland. This black basaltie rock is filled with crystals of yellow olivine, chrysolite or peredot, as it is variously called, and it is believed that in many cases serpentine is the result of a direct alteration from this rock." ### 2nd:--Serpentine from the River Walk at Castle Point, Hoboken, N.J. This rock you will see, contains small black specks which are chromic iron. ### 3rd-- Some crystals of topaz from Minn [?] [unclear] Brazil. We thought these might be of substitute for the agate in the phonograph patents. I am afraid, however, that it would be more difficult to obtain this mineral in quantity thant it would sapphire. ### I also enclose a set of reprints of such of my papers as I still have. Also two number of the Annals of the NY Academy of Natural Science, containing the article by Dr. A.A. Julian, on the various forms of pyrite. I infer that this paper would be special interest to you at this moment in connection with the investigations that you are carrying on. ### In regard to the sapphire and kematite [?] I will have these selected at Tiffany & Company's, and have them sent to you with a letter giving full particulars, since this is entirely in their line. ### In regard to the collection, I have spoken to Messrs. English + Co., and we both agree that it would be well for you to at least see it, and any evening this week that you may suggest, I will be at your disposal. ### From what I saw of your library building, the collection need not take up much room, and at the same time would be one of the most interesting features of your library, to say nothing of the great value it would be to you for reference. And should you decide to present this collection or find a home for it in any institution. I know of a number that would be only too glad to secure it. ### I feel sure that the dealers' stocks in the whole world, as well as the specimens obtainable from private collectors in years, would not give you a collection like this at anything like the price. ### I met to-day a successful Denver miner who has promised to write at once concerning the lot of tellerium ores which I understand him to say they are only able to extract one-quarter of the gold it contains, in this mine. I did not tell him who it was for, but told him that about one or two thousand pounds were wanted for a specimen, which if satisfactory, might lead to more. It seems that they have a mine of it to sell, and from what he said, this first sample would be delivered for what it can be taken out, for plus freight and other charges. ### Will let you know as soon as I hear from him. ### Hoping to have the honor of a visit from you this week, I remain," Very truly yours, George F. Kunz

Date

1888-10-03

Type

Folder/Volume ID

D8805-F

Microfilm ID

121:532

Document ID

D8805AHA

Publisher

Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
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