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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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4 May 1883

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Document signed

Title: [Contract between The Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Shamokin, Pennsylvania and Thomas Alva Edison]

Also signed by members of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., William H. Dougherty, President; John Mullen, Treasurer; and William Beury, Secretary. Signed as a witness by A. Robertson. Agreement to electrify the town of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Edison agrees to furnish the town with a central station plant and a system of pole lines for $19,209. Details the payment arrangements. Notes dated 15 October 1883 and 25 October 1883 on pages two and three detail information on payments still due and payments made on the account.

GLC05971

1881-1908

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Header Record

Title: Group of nine Edison documents [decimalized]

GLC07616

1906-1908

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: Five rare kinetososcope (moving pictures) still photos

The still photos are: #1 "The Terrible Kids" (scene 9) 10.5 x 13.2 cm, "A Dumb Hero" (scene 5) 12.5 x 15.0, "Bridal Couple dodging cameras" (scene 5) 13.2 x 15.7, "A Race for Millions" (scene 4) 13.1 x 15.7, "Tale the Autumn Leaves Told" (scene 5) 13.2 x 15.7. With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09

6 June 1893

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friend Griffin

Orders several motors. Comments on his financial situation, "I am poor and needy, so if you could manage to do a neat bit of philanthropy I would like to buy them at shop cost plus 10 percent profit." Written on stationary from the Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison. One black and white bust engraving of Thomas Edison included.

GLC02480.03

01 May 1906

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: The terrible kids (scene 9)

With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09.01

24 July 1908

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: A dumb hero (scene 5)

With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09.02

06 May 1908

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: Bridal couple dodging camera (scene 5)

With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09.03

24 September 1907

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: A race for millions (scene 4)

With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09.04

10 April 1908

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Photograph

Title: Tale the Autumn leave told (scene 5)

With Library of Congress copyright stamp on verso, noting date received and copyright number assigned.

GLC07616.09.05

circa February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Interview responses about experiments to grow rubber plants in the United States]

A series of questions typed on the back of stationery from the Hotel Royal Palm, in Fort Meyers, Florida, with answers written by Edison in pencil. Most questions concern his experiments in trying to find alternative plant sources for rubber. Other topics include agriculture, and mobile electric power for farming. Each page numbered 1-18. Circa date inferred from telegram from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida (see GLC05791.02). The written interview was given by Wheeler McMillan, an agrarian. See GLC05791.03 for McMillan's write-up on the interview.

GLC05791.01

20 February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Title: [Telegram to Wheeler McMillan]

Western Union telegram sent from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida, to McMillan with the following information, "Farm and Fireside 250 Park Ave New York NY." Edison ends with, "Will see you anytime - T A Edison."

GLC05791.02