A Queen Victoria 1875 Patent Letter for Thaddeus Hyatt

Dated June 29th, 1875, UK patent no. 2359 for Thaddeus Hyatt "of No. 66 Gloucester Garden Hyde Park London in the County of Middlesex Manufacturer of Patent Lights" for the invention of "Improvements in architecture and engineering construction and walking surfaces; in materials therefor; and in machining or apparatus connected therewith", the document on velum with the Queen Victoria Great Seal of the Realm fixed by cord and with five pound blue patent stamp at the upper right corner. 

Thaddeus Hyatt (July 21, 1816 – July 25, 1901) was an American abolitionist and inventor. In his opposition to slavery, Hyatt organized the efforts of abolitionists in Kansas to have the territory admitted to the Union as a free-state and campaigned for the federal government to aid Kansans afflicted by drought. Hyatt befriended John Brown and provided Brown with financial support; following the raid on Harpers Ferry, Hyatt was investigated by a committee of the United States Senate. When Hyatt refused to comply with a Congressional subpoena and cooperate with the Senate investigation, the Senate voted to jail the recalcitrant abolitionist. As an inventor, Hyatt was a wealthy man, profiting from his invention of iron-and-glass vault covers for admitting sunlight to spaces below sidewalks and pavements. Hyatt also innovated and patented several designs for reinforced concrete floors.

Dimensions: sheet is 20 1/2 x 29 1/2in, the seal is 6 3/4in in diameter. 

Provenance: From a New Jersey collection. 

Water stains at the margins, scattered foxing, the seal with expected cracks from age but is in one piece.