£8,000
EDISON ELECTRIC PEN, the nickel-plated flywheel with a cast iron frame, decorated with a red line detail, the electric motor formed with two electromagnetic coils over a knurled shaft and oscillating steel stylus, pen 5¾in. (14.5cm.) high, Patented Aug. 15. 1876 The Edison Electric Pen was a reprographic device designed to create manuscript stencils and was driven by a wet cell battery. The vibrating stylus impressed minute perforations in a special wax-coated paper and although it sold well, surviving examples are rare. It was quickly superseded by the typewriter but has gained notoriety as the predecessor to tattoo machines. A gentleman called Samuel O'Reilly discovered that Edison's oscillating pen could be used to inject ink into the skin and in 1891 he patented an add-on ink reservoir and supply tube for this use. Soon after, Thomas Riley of London improved the Edison/O'Reilly rotary version by patenting a single coil machine fashioned from a modified doorbell. However, the Edison pen is widely regarded as the first 'modern' tattooing device.
PROVENANCE: The Collection of Stuart Eastman
Fair to reasonable condition with overall wear and degradation consistent with age. Some destabilisation of one coil, degradation of coil wrappings, some discolouration and oxidisation to metal parts. Mechanism free and working.
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