[D9241AAL], Letter from Philip Sidney Dyer to Thomas Alva Edison, April 1st, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9241AAL
Transcription
Extracts of Letters from P.S. Dyer Re French Phonograph Patents. April 1st, 1892, Hotel Brighton, Paris “I have an interview tomorrow with a French Patent Attorney to see about the validity of the French Phono Patents. Will let you know the result.” March 23rd, 1892 “Re Phonograph – I read with interest that Mr. Edison has control of the American Phono Co. Nothing has been done in England by Gouraud and never will be there or elsewhere, His policy is decidedly a wrong one particularly for him to work successfully. Since my connection with him this summer I am more and more prejudiced against his unhand methods, and greatly impressed with the general feeling of distrust against him. Moriarity I understand is or a similar block if not worse. If Gouraud had sold machines outright he could have sold thousands of them during the last two years, and not hurt his chances in the least in forming Co.’s. He had orders from several different parties for 1,000 machines at a time, some for advertising purposes and others for general distribution. After Moriarity, as you know, came over, he hastened to Paris (knowing he could do nothing in England) where he has remained ever since, (has been in London lately for ten days but returns here in a few days). Stopping at the Hotel Bristol giving lunches, dinners and spending a lot of money, but working quietly, his object being to form a Syndicate here on the quiet; has a secretary with him and keeps entirely out of the papers, only one notice in the Paris Edition of the N.Y. Herald when he was down as the “Manager of the Edison Phono Co.” He has not succeeded with his Syndicate to date. One my return from Italy I will get more information and after my return to London will get more also. I heard lately from a French Patent Attorney that the French patents on the Phono has lapsed on account of not working and nonpayment of yearly fees, Cannot believe this possible, but will investigate. The Phono properly handled under the conditions you propose should get control of European rights, would sell by the thousands in Europe. Had Mr. Edison’s idea when he was here during the Exhibition been possible to carry out, fifty thousand machines would now have been on the market.” P.S. DYER