Condell’s Life-Like Limb Company Letter and Cover

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Autograph Letter Signed, “J. Condell” proprietor of “Condell’s Life-Like Limb Co.”, 2-1/2p. octavo, October 13, 1866, addressed to George May Powell, with printed cover advertising “The Condell Limbs” which he claims to provide “PERFECT SATISFACTION”. The letter reads in part: “...I think the report of the Limbs is a very good one. I have written to Blake Bly, has not anything patented taht is like or near like, my adjustable pad on the ham-strings he is getting this up to try and intimidate us. I do not use the ball & socket joint now. I have got a better one, ifyou think best you might offer, for us to abandon making the ball & socket ankle joint and he to withdraw the suit, not because we are afraid that he would beat us, but we have got a better one...if you give me timely notice, when the Co. you wrote about wish to see me in New York, I will show them a new leg far superior to the old one, and one which is not any infringment on Dr. Bly’s or any other...” VG. Unusual content and a rare cover. 50,000 soldiers from both sides returned to their homes as amputees after the war which resulted in an ever growing prosethesis market.

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