Explanatory Notes        Apparatus Notes ()

Source: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y ([NPV])

Cue: "A simple electrotype"

Source format: "MS"

Letter type: "[standard letter]"

Notes:

Last modified:

Revision History: Larson, Brian

Published on MTPO: 2012

Print Publication:

MTPDocEd
To Charles L. Webster
17 November 1881 • Hartford, Conn. (MS: NPV, UCCL 02090)
Dear Charley—

A simple electrotype won’t do, because the hard part of it is no thicker than paper; the entire supporting material (type metal,) is soft, & would mash, under heavy pressure. Butemendation if you cast the whole thing in copper, it will answer; & besides, if your matrix was not injured you could cast two or three, at trifling cost, & these would outlast all the wear & tear likely to be inflicted on them.

I wonder if we couldn’t make copper pictures, for ordinary printing, as cheaply as one can make (& afterwards electrotype) a spelter cast?

What is the melting point of copper?

My idea about the Pacific coast California is to repeat the New Orleans contract there, (with a sum & time named for outright purchase) if you can agree upon one.

Or,emendation I am willing to sell outright at once. And I should want the purchaser to do work for the Pacific coast in general, (paying us a royalty on that,) until we sell the districts outside of California.

I judge California is one of the best territories we have got. It is far away; there can’t be much competition; the region is very populous; business is well concentrated, with a great & growing city for a centre. Patterns f Copper-cast patterns for foundries ought to be a good trade there. I should think California ought to bring as much as $5,000 if sold outright. Don’t you?

I can’t call Payton to remembrance.

Ys Truly
S. L. Clemens
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):

MS, Jean Webster McKinney Family Papers, Special Collections, NPV.

Previous Publication:

MicroPUL, reel 2.

Provenance:

See McKinney Family Papers in Description of Provenanceclick to open link.

Emendations and Textual Notes
 pressure. But ● ~.— | ~
 one. Or, ● ~.— | ~,
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