[LB056639], Letter from Alfred Ord Tate to John Adriance Bush, June 9th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB056639
Transcription
June 9, 1892 J. Adriance Bush, Esq., No. 10 Wall Street, New York City Dear Sir:- Referring to the circular which has been issued by the Columbia Phonograph Company, in which it is claimed that they own the fundamental patent for the duplication of phonographic records, I have submitted this patent to Mr. Edison and he says that it is of no value at all; that four years ago he made 40 special machines to do what is described in this patent, and in the same way; furthermore, that the whole thing was set out in caveats, that the whole thing was set out in caveats long before the machines referred to were even made; that these caveats must be ten years old, and you need not therefore pay any attention to the matter. Inasmuch as the Columbia [illegible] Company has opened these circulars broadcast, would it not be desirable for the North American Phonograph Co. to issue a circular to the effect that they will protect the users of duplicate phonographic records sold or them (N.A.P. Co.)? Looking at the matter purely from a business standpoint I think that this option ought to be taken in order to counteract the effect of Mr. Easton’s circular. Yours very truly, A.O. Tate Private Secretary.