To Benjamin Franklin from James Woodmason, 8 October 1781
From James Woodmason4
Printed document, signed:5 American Philosophical Society
Leadenhall-Street, 8 Octr 1781
Sir
As you have bought one of the Patent Copying Machines, I beg leave to acquaint you, that the Proprietors have invented a Method of keeping the Copying Paper ready damped for Use, by laying the Paper in a Box, which Method I think answers the Purpose.—The Price of a Folio and Quarto Box is 15s.6
If you are desirous of having a Pair, or are in want of any prepared Copying Paper, or Copying Ink, please to acquaint me, and I will send you either. I am, Sir your hble Servt
James Woodmason
Addressed: Dr. Franklen / Paris
Notation: Woodmason.
4. The London stationer who was now the chief distributor of James Watt’s copy presses: XXXIII, 116.
5. This form letter left blank spaces for the salutation, date, and complimentary close. Woodmason filled these in, and wrote the address.
6. The damping box, as described in Watt’s instruction booklet (the “Blue Book”: XXXIV, 385n), was nothing more than a waterproof box that would hold 24 sheets of copying paper. The user would pour over the sheets three quarters of an ounce of pure spring water (which would not “contract any unpleasant smell”) and close the lid. The paper would stay moist for a period of two weeks; one had to use caution in lifting the tissue sheets out of the box, as they had a tendency to crumple and stick. We have no record of BF ordering this accessory. In fact, the last order to Woodmason that we have found is dated Oct. 5; see our headnote to “My Ink with a Little Loaf Sugar,” July 11, above.