Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931
- Abstract:
- The bulk of this collection is made up of historical and modern ephemera related to Thomas Edison. It also contains some of Edison's correspondence, patents, and original and reproduced photographs of Edison and his associates.
- Extent:
- 3 boxes
- Language:
- The records are in English .
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection is made up of correspondence, patents, photographs, and ephemera. The correspondence includes some original and contemporary copies of Edison's letters regarding the Phonoplex System of Telegraphy, the Edison Phonograph Toy Manufacturing Co., the use of paraphenylenediamine to manufacture phonograph records, the American Fine Arts Society, and the Society for Electrical Development, as well as a letter dismissing Charles H. Davids from his post as superintendent of the West Orange laboratory. There are additional items from the Edison-Bell Phonograph Corporation, Ltd. in England, as well as correspondence between Mina Miller Edison and Lester A. Grimes regarding a signed apron made from Thomas Edison's shirt, also included in the collection.
The collection also contains some original and reproduced photographs of Edison and his associates (many with captions by Francis Jehl, Edison's laboratory assistant), and his Bronx movie production studio. There are also photographs of Charles Edison, as well as Bern Dibner with Richard G. Berger, another laboratory assistant for Edison. The bulk of the collection is made up of historical and modern ephemera, including advertisements, clippings, pamphlets, and prints. There are also three oil paintings of Edison, one of which is signed by illustrator Howell Dodd.
The collection is arranged in three boxes by item format:
Box 1 contains correspondence, autographed notecards, patents, photographs, prints, and historical ephemera.
Box 2 contains historical and modern ephemera.
Box 3 is oversize. It contains miscellaneous ephemera, oil paintings of Edison, and photographs.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) is probably the best known American inventor of all time. His most famous invention was the light bulb, but he also invented the phonograph and the first practical storage battery, along with dozens of other impressive devices, for a total of 1,093 patents during his lifetime.
- Acquisition information:
- Burndy Library Collection, Gift of Dibner Family, November 2006. Was MS Collection 8.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
- Location of this collection:
-
1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108, US
- Contact:
- (626) 405-2191