1871.11.20 English

SA: During 1871 and -72, RMHs agent in USA, C. F. Clausen, wrote several letters to consul Thomas Schmidt in Washington about the writing ball. Even though RMH is neither the sender nor the reciever of these letters, we include them in this collection of RMH-letters, because they tell a very interesting story about RMH's effort to establish production of the writing ball in USA. Unfortunately he did not succeed, with the result that his competitors dominated the marked, and their construction principles were used by almost all future constructors and inventors.

Patent Agency 514 Ninth Street

Royal Swedish and Norwegian Vice Consulate Washington, 20th of November 1871[1]

Mr. Tho. Schmidt. Legation Secretary New York

Dear friend.

At long last I have received Reverend Hansen’s typewriter[2], which has been stored at the New York custom house for a couple of months. I had the machine imported custom free, since it is aimed for patency purposes – sorry for bothering you, Sir, with this information which is not very interesting to you, but since Reverend Hansen may once more write to General Christensen[3] about this issue, I kindly request you to convey this information to him. The Reverend will have a good patent issued and I do hope that he will be lucky enough to sell his invention – the invention is very good, but unfortunately the machine is rather costly to acquire. What happened to Mr Rye?[4] Did he return to Denmark?I am much obliged to you for the 2 packages of newspapers, of which I have returned one to you and will return the other one today. When it is convenient for you, pray let me know something about the Danish Exposition next year[5], since I would like to know whether it is possible to ship American inventions to that event and also who to turn to (in writing evidently) in Copenhagen concerning details about rules and regulations prescribed to the exhibitors by the exhibition committee.

Kindly convey my very best greetings to your esteemed wife, as well as to Gen. Christensen and the rest of your family,

Respectfully, your devoted

C.F. Clausen

[1] JMC: This is a handwritten letter from RMH’s agent C.R.Clausen at the Swedish/Norwegian Consulate (Norway was still a part of Sweden at the time) in Washington adressed to Mr Thomas Schmidt, secretary or consul of the Danish Legation in New York, responsible for commercial cooperation. A legation is a diplomatic representation of a foreign nation, ranked somewhat lower than a proper Embassy. The letterhead was pre-printed in beautiful and elegant gothic style.

[2] JMC: It is interesting to note that Clausen is using the term “skrivemaskine” = “typewriter” as early as 1871! According to “Online Etymology Dictionary” (www.etymonline.com) the verb “to type” occurs only in 1888 and the noun typewriter as late as 1868.

[3] JMC: See letters 18710907 and 18711108 from RMH to General Christensen

[4] JMC: We don’t know who Mr Rye is, and he is not necessarily connected to the issue of RMH and the writing ball

[5] JMC: He is referring to the Danish Art and industry Exposition in Copenhagen in 1872 where RMH won a gold medal for his writing ball. General Christensen (1819 – 1883) served as a ‘Commissair’ of the order and arrangement of the artifacts at this exposition and, hence, was a key figure.

: Thomas Schmidt, 1831-1905. Photo: The Royal Library

: It was probably this open cylinder model RMH sent to USA in 1871. Illustration from the Britih magazine "The Engineer" 1872

: It was here that the exhibition in Copenhagen 1872 was arranged. Illustration from "Illustreret Tidene"

: General Georg Christensen, 1819-1883, played an important role in the exhibition. Photo: The Royal library