rder that they may examine the patent, or have an expert to examine
it, to ascertain its validity, novelty, and what protection is really
afforded by the patent. It cannot be denied that in either case the
invention will suffer a cold-blooded rigid examination, and must stand
or fall solely upon its merits. If, however, the invention is adjudged
to have real merit and properly protected by the Letters Patent,
business negotiations will likely begin, and the patentee will perhaps
speedily make a satisfactory deal.

[Sidenote: First Impressions All-Important.]

Some inventors use printed copies of their patents instead of circulars,
but, while they fully set forth the invention in a technical way, it
cannot be said that in all cases it is advisable to send copies of the
patent until called for. Many parties who become interested in patents
are not familiar with mechanical drawings and technical specifications,
and very often do not get a very favorable impression from a copy of the
patent; and it is very important that the first impressions should be
favorably created, for upon this much will depend. If parties become
sufficiently interested to fully investigate an invention, they are very
apt to form a favorable opinion of it.

[Sidenote: Value of Models.]

There is no way of so easily creating a favorable impression and gaining
the interest in an invention as by a neat and perfect working model of
the invention. Man never loses the child-love for toys, and a perfect
miniature machine of any description will attract more attention than
one of full size. With a model the inventor has the full and immediate
attention of his prospective purchasers at once. If the patentee, or his
agent, intends visiting manufacturers, or to sell the patent by
territorial rights, he will find a model of his invention almost
indispensable.

Inventors should be very careful about sending models to unknown
parties, and should mark the number of the patent and their name and
address upon the model. It should invariably be understood in advance
who is to pay the transportation charges, before sending a model with
any charges to collect.

While models are very helpful in setting forth an invention and making
sales, high prices exclude many inventors from their use. Model-makers
usually charge fifty cents per hour for each man working upon the model,
and market price for the material used; from these figures the inventor
may make a rough est