Lot 191: Blake, Francis

Blake, Francis. (1850-1913) Inventor of a carbon microphone for use in the telephone. Manuscript Document Signed, nine full pages, 9 3/4 x 8 inches, London, August 18, 1880. Also signed by W.H.Forbes as President of the American Bell Telephone Company, with the impressed seal of the Company over his name, and F.S.Hubbard, for the United Telephone Company. Agreement made by Blake with the United Telephone Company of Great Britain for use of His patent. The document reads in part: "This memorandum of Agreement made...between Francis Blake... the American Bell Telephone Company...and the United Telephone Company Limited of London....Whereas the said Blake is the inventor of an instrument known as the Blake Transmitter, the same being a form of speaking telephone for which he has taken out letters patent of Great Britain No.229 bearing date February 20, 1879, and whereas he has applied for letters patent of the United States for the same invention and has agreed to sell and transfer the said invention in and for the United States to the said American Company ...and whereas the said American Company now possesses and enjoys the exclusive right to make, sell, and use the said invention within the United States; and whereas the said English Company is desirous of acquiring the control of the said invention in the countries covered by the said British patent No.229; and whereas the said Blake is willing to dispose of the said British patent No.229 to the said British Company in consideration for the profit to be made by manufacturing all said instruments...." A most important document related to the history of the telephone. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000