- 1886 STANLEY DRY PLATE COMPANY Letter -- Letter SIGNED by FREELAN OSCAR STANLEY -- Founded by the STANLEY STEAMER Brothers -- Company was SOLD to Eastman Kodak in 1905 - RARE, early ”STANLEY DRY PLATE COMPANY” autograph letter SIGNED by Freelan Oscar Stanley - with superb content regarding the photographic MATS used in the operation of the Stanley Dry Plate business.
Letter is written entirely in the hand of Freelan O. Stanley who, along with his twin brother FRANCIS, were the founders of the “STANLEY MOTOR CARRIAGE COMPANY”. The Stanley Brothers would eventually sell their “Stanley Dry Plate Co.” business to Eastman Kodak in 1905, before turning their attention to the production of the Stanley Steamer.
The letter itself is dated July 8th 1886 at Lewiston, Maine and addressed to “J.W. Penny + Sons” - which was the same company (from Mechanic Falls, Maine) the Stanley Brothers would soon hire to manufacture the FIRST “Stanley Steamer” Automobile ENGINE.
Letter reads in FULL, “The mats came this morning. Glad to see them. They are all right but one size. You have 4 ½ x 6 ½ instead of 4 ¼ x 6 ½. That is the mat is ¼ in. too wide. I suppose you can readily make the die ¼ in. narrower. Send along a supply as soon as possible. Yours truly / F.O. Stanley (signed)”.
STANLEY DRY PLATE COMPANY was organized by the STANLEY BROTHERS – Freelan Oscar Stanley and Francis Edgar Stanley, who had invented and patented a photographic development process that revolutionized the photography industry. In 1905, they sold their company to EASTMAN KODAK and decided instead to channel their energies and interest into the development of steam powered automobiles. The Stanley Brothers would operate the STANLEY MOTOR CARRIAGE COMPANY from 1902 to 1924, and the several different models they produced were commonly referred to as “Stanley Steamers”.
CONDITION: letter measures about 5 ¾ x 9 inches in size and is in EXCELLENT overall condition with dark writing and a bold signature. There are two horizontal folds and two file punch holes along the very top of the letter. Otherwise, NO rips / tears or other issues to note (see scans).
The
signature / autograph of Freelan O. Stanley is guaranteed authentic. Winning bidder to pay
$20 for shipping, postage & INSURANCE.
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