Description
The Motion Picture Patents Company and General Film Company collection spans the years 1908-1918 and
encompasses 1.8 linear feet. The collection generally reflects the work of the two organizations as
applicable to the Selig Polyscope Company. This collection was artificially created by the Library by
gathering material on both companies from the William Selig papers (with donations from William N. Selig
and Charles G. Clarke), together with additional material, also from Clarke, that may have belonged to
Selig.
Background
The Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC) was formed in 1908, as a patents pool to oversee the patents
claimed by Edison, American Mutoscope and Biograph, Vitagraph, and Armat, and to license various
companies as producers and distributors. The General Film Company was established in 1910, by the
licensed producers as a distribution company for their films. Both organizations were eventually
recognized as monopolistic by the U.S. government and disbanded in 1918 (although they had ceased to be
effective many years earlier).
Extent
1.8 linear feet of papers.
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Availability
Available by appointment only.