The patent was part of a collection that included 37 original British Patent Letters for the technology, as well as four patents for Joseph Swan. Swan was originally Edison’s competitor in developing the lightbulb, and both of them received patents for their respective versions in 1879. However, the technology could not be commercialized unless the patents were combined, so the two joined forces and formed the Edison-Swan Company.
That company held both patents and was able to bring electric light to the masses. The collection that recently sold at auction is thought to be the original patent archive for the company. It also includes 37 original British Patent Letters related to the technology.
