Dilemma with old patents etc

[caziques]

A strange one:

My great grandfather was a famous chemist - his father (my great great grandfather) was both high up in the Bank of England in Manchester and also involved with chemical manufacturing.

With the chemical stuff he obtained three patents, in 1869, 1877 and 1886.

The 1869 patent is for sale on Abe books - the seller also has the later two.

But, the seller want 300 pounds for the 1869 one.

I have copies of chemistry text books written by great grandfather (and one by my grandfather), plus various chess booklets written by my great uncle (who would have been classed a chess grand master if he lived a few more years).

Also on Abe books are chess problem books by great uncle, 40-200 pounds each.

Is life to short to bother about the money? should I just buy these things for the family archives?

Great grandfather was also awarded three chemistry medals between 1909 and 1936 - I have two of them.

Plus interesting family paperwork recovered from my step grandmother (still alive) earlier this year (missing since 1965).

All this is the male lineage, and I have two sons to leave it all to.

What would you do?

I'm 62, both parents still alive.

[anonymous-user]

Consider this. If I bought the £300 patent and sent you a video of me burning it, how would you feel?

...

Now go and buy it.

[Andeh1]

For the historical family legacy, I probably would.

[cholo]

It it was £3k i might have to think twice, but for £300, it's a no brainer surely?

It's obvious it would be fairly important to you and some people burn £300 on a night out. You and your family will have this forever.

[anonymous-user]

Was whatever he patented ever a success? It’s no achievement to register a patent, but it would be a lovely thing if the patent was relevant to something that meant something.

[Fastpedeller]

Are the patents original documents or copies? If they are copies, you may be able to get them online and produce a copy yourself? If they are originals, the value maybe changes (to yourself and other people)

[anonymous-user]

Got to be worth it for £300. My Father has a load of patents for various things, that he is leaving me in his will. They are of no great monetary value, but as a sentimental item, they are priceless, as I worked on some of them with him. I once spent a couple of hours looking them up at Bristol Central Library just to see them in print.

[simonpieman]

Badda said:

It’s no achievement to register a patent.

What? Have you obtained a patent? I’ve invented something and now got three patents granted. I wouldn’t say it was “no achievement.” In fact, obtaining the patents was a lot hard than inventing the thing in the first place!

To the OP, pay the £300.

[JuniorD]

You might be able to obtain copies for a lot less.

Do you know the the patent numbers?

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your...

[Simpo Two]

I'd contact the seller and make him an offer for the lot. The worst he can do is say 'No, full price', and he might think 'Actually, who else is likely to buy this old stuff? I'll bite his hand off'.

Don't tell him you're a descendant of course... maybe a research student...