Notarized DS, signed “Thomas A. Edison,” four pages, 8 x 13, March 11, 1910. Legal document concerning a case between Edison and his companies against James L. Andem. In part: “Know ye, that Thomas A. Edison, Frank L. Dyer, National Photograph Company, Edison Phonograph Company, and Edison Phonograph Works for and in consideration of the sum of One ($1.00) Dollar, lawful money of the United States of America, to us in hand paid by James L. Andem…have released and forever discharged…all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of actions, suits, debts, dues, sums of money.” Signed three times on the second page by Edison, once as an individual, and twice as company presidents. Document is still bound in its original legal folder. Expected folds, a uniform shade of mild toning, a couple small fold separations, and a pencil notation to first page, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a Library of Congress copyright document, dated August 29, 1892, for Andem’s book A Practical Guide to the Use of the Edison Phonograph, and a rare Bank of Africa draft for £36.16 made out to the Edison Phonograph Company.
While serving as president and general manager of the Ohio Phonograph Co. in 1892, James Andem wrote A Practical Guide to the Use of the Edison Phonograph, the first thorough user manual for the machine. A decade later, frustrated with his limited success and with Edison’s ‘monopoly’ on the market, he instigated a long string of legal battles by encouraging local licensed companies to sue to recover profits from Edison’s companies for sales of phonographs in their respective territories (securing himself a right to 60% of any winnings). According to Edison’s counsel, close friend and personal attorney Frank Dyer, Andem had brought 300 suits against their client in the early 1900s, none of which had been sustained. Fighting back with a vengeance, Dyer began filing strong countersuits, accusing Andem of trying to extort money from Mr. Edison. As the legal battles came to a head, both sides finally relented; this document served to drop all of Edison’s charges against Andem, putting an end to the string of messy suits. A remarkable document regarding the legal hooplah that unfortunately accompanied the great success of Edison’s phonograph. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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