McCormick, Cyrus Hall (1809-1884) [Invitation for the President of the National Agricultural Convention]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00974 Author/Creator: McCormick, Cyrus Hall (1809-1884) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 June 1852 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.1 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
McCormick, inventor of the reaping machine, invites the President of the National Agriculture Convention to attend a demonstration of the machine. Indicates that the convention is assembled in Washington, D.C. Includes an initialed postscript. Written at the National Hotel.
"Having advertised an exhibition of my Reaper, as may be observed now more fully in the 'Intelligencer' of this morning, this is to say that, if you and as many members of the Convention as can find it convenient should think proper to witness the exhibition, as above, I should be very much obliged & honored by your presence...The probability now is that tomorrow will be the better day."
McCormick patented his reaper in 1834, and once he began commercial manufacture of the device several years later, he proved to be a pioneer in his business methods, successfully using field trials, guarantees in advertising, and payment plans to help sell his reaper. Thanks to his manufacturing and marketing skills, and his constant improvements in the machine, McCormick remained the dominant manufacturer of reapers, even after his original patent expired in 1848.
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