[D9238AAD], Letter from M M Marble to Thomas Alva Edison, March 8th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9238AAD
Transcription
Letterhead: Hillhouse High School Department of Physics and Chemistry M.M.Marble, Instructor New Haven, Conn., March 8, 1892 Thos. A. Edison Llewellyn Park, Orange, N.J. Dear Sir: May I venture to ask your assistance in a matter relating to the phonograph? At the graduating exercises of our high school, which takes places soon, and a young man in the outgoing class will explain to the public “How the Phonograph Talks”. The origin, nature, and transmission of sound, the machine of speech and of hearing, will be explained and illustrated with experiments and [stereopticon?] views. The present [one legible word] and state of inspection of the phonograph will also be exemplified by the instrument itself. The exercises will be given in the [one word] Theatre (seating capacity 200) to an audience of our most intelligent cityers Among other illustrations we wish to exhibit through the [stereopticon?] the following views:- A good portrait of the inventor Thos. A. Edison A view of the original phonograph A view of as phonographic impression highly magnified Sectional view of the working [one legible word] of the phonograph After it would give us guest satisfaction, & certainly afford the audience pleasured, could [one legible word] secure as cylinder with a few words from Thos. A. Edison as the critiques of New Haven for that occasion. I am unable to obtain through the optical dealers any of the 4 views mentioned, and with [1 legible word] know if you can tell me where I can find them, or will help me to get them made by providing for (1) a good portrait, and for (2),(3),(4) good engravings. I also wish to know whether the tone distortion and metallic ring, which have been present in all phonographic sound reproductions that I have yet heard, can be overcome. We are desirous of showing the very hard work that this loud speaking phonograph can do in volume + corrections of representation. I send in the copy of the Phonogram which you recently sent me, that the Phonograph is your favorite invention and that all it needs to make it popular is "pioneering." In consideration of the fact that our speakers will endeavor to sound the best praises of the phonograph and the merited honors of its inventor, before an audience of more than ordinary culture and intelligence will you not help us to do a little "pioneering" here in that occasion? Hoping that you will excuse this communication if it seems too presumptuous and that we may receive a favorable reply. I remain Yours truly, M.M. Marble