Correspondence between Theodore Brooks, an American inventory & marine engineer, regarding patents for railroad ties & chairs

Garrison, NY, 1890. A collection of correspondence regarding inventions designed by Theodore S. Brooks, a man who ran the West Point ferry & The Highlander ferry for 50 years. His inventions were railroad ties and seats and heating buildings by compressed air, over 1890 to 1893.

Brooks (1836-1912) born in Fort Montgomery, NY, and started work on the famly sloop. At age 20, he moved to NYC and became an engineer on steamboats. In 1867, he moved to Garrison NY to run the West Point Ferry, which became "The Highlander" a position he held for 50 years. (American Marine Enginer, Feb.1911, p. 35) "On retirement in 1911, he was presented a pension of $25 per month by a group of ten persons, of whom Mrs. J.P. Morgan is one..."

A total of 40 pieces with four hand written notes by Brooks, letters from Hamilton Fish & Stuyvesant Fish, and correspondence from various patent agents and steel companies including the American Patent Office, patent agents & lawyers O.J. Bailey Co., F. A. Lehmann, T. A. Snow, George Whittlesey, James Sheehy, White & Kleiner. Troy Steel & Iron Company; Chester Steel & Casting Company; Chester PA; American Railroad Equipment Company.

In 1879 Brooks received a patent for an apparatus for heating buildings by compressed air; 1890 railroad chairs & 1891 railroad ties.

Overall very good, but some lower & upper margins damaged.