historique

The American Vitagraph Company (1897-1900)

The American Vitagraph Company est formée en mars 1897.

EDISON AFTER VITAGRAPH COMPANY.
The Inventor Files a Bill of Complaint for Infringement of Patent.
Thomas A. Edison has fled in the Clerk's office of the United States Circuit Court three bills of complaint against J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith, individually and as co-partners, for alleged violation of copyright and infringements of patents. In the first complaint Mr. Edison states that the defendants, without his consent and in violation of his rights, printed and sold copies of a photograph taken at Port Tampa, Fla., entitled "Transport Whitney Leaving Dock," for which he had secured a copyright. He asks that the defendants be enjoined from further printing of the picture and that they be required to reimburse him for the loss and damage he has suffered through their action, which can be shown by their rendering an accounting of the number of copies of the photograph sold by them.
The two other complaints charge that the defendants, trading under the name of "Commercial Advertising Bureau" and "American Vitagraph Company," made, used, and sold apparatus containing two of Mr. Edison's patented inventions for exhibiting photographs of moving objects, and he asks for an injunction. an accounting. and damages.

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New York Herald, New York, mercredi 13 juillet 1898, p. 7.

The New York Clipper, New York, 13 mai 1899, p. 217.

The New York Clipper, New York, 31 mars 1900, p. 116.

The American Vitagraph Company, Announcement, 15 février 1900.
Reproduit dans CHERCHI USAI, 1987: 69. 

The Vitagraph Company of America (1900-1901 et 1902-1925)

Le nom "The Vitagraph Company of America" apparaît, semble-t-il,  pour la première fois en 1904. (New York Clipper, avril 1904)

The Urban Trading Company have certainly made a capture in their arrangements with the Vitagraph Company, of America, and Burton Holmes, of Travelogue fame. Prior to each publishing a new series, a negative is sent over, so that the first performances can synchronise in England, America, and Paris. The productions of the Vitagraph Company will add a series of startling dramatic films to the Urban repertoire, for which there seems to be a big demand in certain quarters. These are a few descriptions given by the American authors, and should certainly create a demand :—“One continuous stream of laughter,”’ “An entirely new idea in comedy films,” “absolutely unique and original in conception,” Seven thrilling adventures,”’ keeps the audience in a roar,” *‘ screamingly funny, full of good clean humour,” “Vividly thrillingly realistic.” Those who attended Burton Holmes’ Travelogues will remember the splendid pictures, of far away countries, which illustrated his interesting lectures. The Urban Trading Company will now be in a position to sell these wonderful films, and we can predict a big demand for them.The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger, lundi 15 janvier 1906, p. 62.

Sources

MUSSER Charles, "American Vitagraph: 1897-1901", Cinema Journal 22, nº 3, printemps 1983, p. 4-46.

MUSSER Charles, "La American Vitagraph: 1897-1901" dans CHERCHI USAI Paolo (A cura di), Vitagraph Co. of America, Pordenone: Edizioni Studio Tesi, 1987, 646 p.