American pioneer of early cinema and one of the inventors of television (1867-1934) whose businesses included Charles Jenkins Laboratories and Jenkins Television Corporation, the latter granted the first commercial television license in the United States. Two TLSs, both signed “Jenkins,” one page, 8.5 x 11. The earlier letter, Jenkins Laboratories letterhead, September 6, 1927, addressed to W. N. Jenkins, in part: “Some years ago you gave me a post card photograph which you made from a balloon, the subject of the photograph was a motorboat on the river. This photograph showed a bow-wave on the surface which broadened out on each side to the shores, but the peculiarity of the picture was that there was another underwater bow-wave which projected itself forward, spreading out toward the shores on each side of the boat. Can I get a photographic copy from this negative, and if so what is the price?” The second letter, personal letterhead, November 26, 1930, addressed to H. N. Jennings, in part: “Glad to hear from you again, and to learn of your continued interest in air work. I cracked-up down in North Carolina some weeks ago; engine cylinder let go. Not a scratch for me…About the evidence of my motion picture invention originality and priority. I filed with the Franklin Institute, four or five years ago, I think, a compilation of evidence. If you could find time to drop over there and look at it, telling me if it is the kind of material you are looking for, I could make up a duplicate of it and send it to you.” Jennings has added a note to bottom of the first letter. In overall fine condition.
