Graphogram

Sir: I am in receipt of your communication of the 21st ultimo wherein you say “there appears to be a diversity of opinions among postmasters relative to the rate of postage properly chargeable on phonograms and graphograms designations now commonly applied to messages impressed on wax cylinders by the phonograph and graphophone,“ and requesting that I give you my opinion upon the question. In answer to the above inquiry I have the honor to state that I have examined into the subject with the view of ascertaining whether such phonograms or graphograms would be included within that class of matter designated as first, third, or fourth class. These “graphograms,” I understand, are the wax cylinders upon which the messages are impressed and after such indentations are made become the means of transmitting a communication which can be read and understood by placing the cylinder so stamped or impressed in an instrument specially constructed for its use, and which transmits by sound the language indented on the wax cylinder. Before use the cylinder is properly classed as an article of merchandise, or fourth class matter; after use it possesses a different degree of value and classification, inasmuch as it then represents a message, letter, or communication from one person to another, rendered possible to be understood by a system of mechanism that from the series of minute indentures contained on the wax reproduces the human voice.

nowhere in Sanskrit literature do we find an individual’s name, never mind an astrologer’s name, which could have served even remotely as a base form for the Arabic graphograms. […] In the face of these findings, any attempt at explaining the Arabic graphograms must proceed from the premise of their validity and integrity or, in other words, from the presumed accuracy of their transmitted forms.

Thus, Manfred Ullmann (after the Sanskritist Adolf Stenzler) wants to amend the Arabic graphograms […] the Indologist Ronald Emmerick has demonstrated that solely on the basis of the Arabic graphograms and the Arabic ‘loan-translation’ of the title, the underlying Sanskrit word can only be Siddhasāra;