1 August 1883 • Elmira, N.Y. (MS, in pencil: NPV, UCCL 02816)
The 1. IMPLEMENTS of the game, & 2. & WAY TO PLAY IT—are the patentable features & the only patentable features, ain’t they?
For instance:
A playing-board, ◊ with pinholes connected with or punched through the dates in the world’s history; & some after each ruler; len reigns of kings, presidents or other rulers distinguished by separate colors, or like device, to show length & position epoch of rule at a glance. , ruler’s name printed on said bars of color or said spaces,
Chart for Umpire. Has the dates & color-arrangement corresponding with the playing board. In addition, has “ events opposite the dates; also each ruler’s name & length of reign in his proper space or on his color.
And possibly the History-Book.
There—that’s simple, & it’s all there is that’s patentable, isn’t it so? I’m not expecting or purposing to change or these implements, even though I had till next centennial.
So, just go ahead & take out patents, for U S, Canada & England.
As for the book, I suppose it can be mentioned, desscribedⒶemendation & patented as a part of this machinery—but if it can’t it can be copyrighted.
I wanted a long delay, you know, in order, mainly, to try the game & satisfy myself that it is worth patenting. But I see, without all that bother that it is worth it——so, patent it in the 3 countries.
S L C
MS, Jean Webster McKinney Family Papers, Special Collections, NPV.
MTBus, 218–19; MicroPUL, reel 2.
see McKinney Family Papers in Description of Provenanceclick to open letter.