1872.10.01 English

SA: This is yet again a correspondence involving the consul in Washington, C.F. Clausen and General Christensen, the latter being the person that ran the Art and Industry Exposition in Copenhagen in 1872. In this letter from Clausen to his colleague in New York, Thomas Schmidt, Clausen mentions that he has recently been on a long voyage that did nothing good for his health. It is a reasonable interpretation that has been in Denmark for some time. Consul Clausen asks Thomas Schmidt to convey his regards to General Christensen, but it seems that he is in Denmark at the time. The three gentlemen share a common denominator in that RMH wishes to enrol their help in promoting and spreading knowledge about the writing ball. The letter also shows that the next model of the writing ball – with the flat platen on which to fasten the paper – has been finalised. As far as we know, this model was patented in 1874. I would like to add, as a curiosity, that the Danish Emigration Archive has registered that both C.F. Clausen and Thomas Schmidt made several voyages, among them on the ship “Humboldt” mentioned by Clausen in his letter!

 

 

 

                                                                    Washington October 1, 1872

 

 

 

My dear friend[1]

 

 

 

                        Having received your very nice letter of 28 September as well as the enclosed shawls, I am indeed very grateful.

 

 

While in New York unfortunately I did not find time to see you in your office – concerning Reverend Malling Hansen’s machine, that has now been modified, which can be seen in the enclosed photo, I told you about the Reverend’s latest remarks, according to which a private limited company ought to be established in New York and which should pursue the issue of the Writing Ball with zeal and investments. Some young Americans should be sent to Copenhagen and go through a comprehensive training in the use of the machine. In exchange for a modest payment in cash, combined with a solid guarantee, the Reverend would then be willing to sell his American patent to the company. In due course, and within not too long, a new patent would be issued regarding an improved writing surface, which has considerably improved the typewriter[2].

 

 

All the best of luck with the sales – this machine has caused me a lot of sorrow and pains – and I wish you will have more success.

 

 

When you are convenient, kindly ask the person in Copenhagen to whom you once sent a file-holder (a wooden model or an open box for keeping files etc) for agent Steenberg – he had some ideas about being able to use it[3]

 

 

Once more I offer you my services if you have some consular or other types of businesses that I can arrange for you in Washington&lt, and in case you could send me the daily newspaper Dagbladet as you used to, I would be very grateful indeed.

 

 

Unfortunately the journey was not beneficial for my health, but even so I am happy to have been at home. On the other hand, my wife has benefitted from the trip, thanks God, and she sends her very best regards to you, to your wife and little Emma.

 

 

We would also like to convey our greetings to Miss Holde, thanking her so much for the beautiful singing and music that she entertained us with while at Humboldt.

 

 

We, just like the other passengers, will keep in our memory the happy hours we spent there, very much due to your dear wife’s cheerful spirits and gregorious disposition, in addition to the singing of Miss Holde.

 

 

Unfortunately I did not find time to visit General Christensen, do please convey to him my very best greetings, I have some greetings for him and intend to write to him in a couple of days.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely    C  F  Clausen

 

Enclosed is also a photo of a writing ball, with the following text:

 

Improvement of the machine in New York

 

This machine has been altered in several respects, instead of a cylindrical a plane surface is new employed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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