July 20th, 1899 letter from George Scherff to Nikola Tesla

New York, July 20th, 1899
46 & 48 E. Houston Str.

Nikola Tesla, Esq.,
Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dear Mr. Tesla:

Your telegram not to send the oscillator returned from Chicago was received this afternoon, but I regret to say that it has already been shipped Tuesday. I have answered by telegraph to this effect, also that it might be possible to recall it from Chicago, if the American Express company would be immediately notified, but up to the moment of writing I have received no reply. Mr. Uhlman tried all the different machines and found this one to give the most steady light, and therefore considered it the most suitable one to send. The other one, the latest type, gives also a fairly steady light, but not as good as the one forwarded.

The work in the shop is on the coherers, commutator, armature and shaft. Mr. Uhlman thinks he will be able to obtain six or eight grades of metal chips and filings for the coherers.

Respectfully,
Geo. Scherff

P. S. Just received telegram to recall the machine. Am going to hurry to Express Office before they close, as it is late. The other oscillator goes to-morrow.