Lot 402
THOMAS EDISON FIRES A WOMANIZER!
THOMAS A. EDISON (1847 - 1931) American inventor of the electric light, phonograph, typewriter, and microphone, to name a few. Considered perhaps the greatest inventor of the century. A fascinating archive of eight letters and documents dealing with the dismissal of Neil S. Folsom, manager of Thomas Edison's plating department in Orange, New Jersey. Details of Folsom's role in the company are slim, but we know that he managed the plating department for several years in the early 1920s. Trouble began for Folsom after he was accused of harassment and brought to trial by Miss Lucy Aquilino, one of Edison's female employees who worked in Folsom's department. The history of the case and the circumstances surrounding Folsom's termination comes to light here for the first time through the personal papers of Jeffrey P. Buchanan, manager of Edison's disc department in the 1920s. The first document is a partly-printed New Jersey Supreme Court subpoena, 1p. oblong 8vo., Newark, Nov. 15, 1923, which summons Jeffrey P. Buchanan to testify on behalf of Miss Aquilino against Folsom. Within days of his appearance, Buchanan penned a 3pp. 4to., letter to Edison on Nov. 19, 1923, in small part: "I am making this report to you because I feel it is my duty to you…I have heard a great many rumors of automobile parties from the Disc division during working hours, by people in the plating department…when I was summoned to the trial…I was absolutely surprised to hear that the rumors…were true…I have not interfered with the women in the polishing room, or the clerks in the plating department…these two lots of people are…doing just as they like…owing to the publicity of this whole thing we already feel trouble in getting decent female help…the whole remedy is to eliminate all the people implicated…most of these people can easily be replaced. There are but two who are skilled…". The next, 1p. 8vo., letter written by Edison tersely reads, in full: "The party denies that he has done anything of the kind in plating Dept - He acknowledged wrong doing about the girl but the moment that accorded he stopped. Can you get any evidence - E.". Along with the original envelope addressed in Edison's hand to Buchanan and marked "Personal". On November 21, Buchanan wrote Edison a 5pp. 4to., letter outlining the evidence he had gathered, in part: "...You asked me if I could get evidence of wrong doing…Peter Commander who…left June 30/23…stated to me that he knows of many spoiled masters that were plated and put away in the vaults…he also…knew of Folsom coming in at night and scratching many molds for scrap…about a dozen a day would be disposed of in this way…he says he will come up & tell this to Mr. Edison…it was established…in court testimony that…auto parties…left the plant during working hours…last summer…when the office people were gone…one of Jacobus' men…spoke to this girl Lucy, she went into the woman's toilet…after this…[was] heard Folsom's voice inside the Woman's toilet with…Lucy…a special policeman was going to arrest them…Folsom told Jacobus that he heard some of his men were talking of this incident and that if he found out who it was he would get Mr. Edison to fire him…I had to gather this information at night…I realized that you had not been getting the truth…". Two days later Edison penciled a 1p. 8vo., letter to Buchanan concerning Folsom, in full: "Folsom resigned. Walsh will attend Music Room. Kasakove to be head of the Plating Dept. & keep in touch with Walsh. Issue the announcement as to Kasakove. Answer if OK. Edison". Then on Nov. 27, 1923 Kasakove wrote a 2pp. 4to., letter of apology to Edison, reading, in small part: "...I dislike bothering you about a matter that has caused you enough trouble, but Mr. Buchanan…said you expressed surprise at my not having reported to you any of the incidents…first, I was Mr. Folsom's assistant and not his superior and I am not a tale-bearer…I did what the others lacked the courage to do. I took the matter up with Folsom…I urged his to cut it out…and he finally did…I detest making explanations of this kind…they sound too much like excuses…I feel it is only fair that I…start out with a clean slate…". At the top margin of this letter Edison penciled his reply to Buchanan, in full: "I guess this is OK. Nobody ever tells me anything. Edison". Apparently, Buchanan was not moved by Kasakove's letter of apology because on Dec. 15 he wrote a 1p. 4to., letter to Edison where he enumerated the charges against Folsom in detail and summed up his feelings on the matter by adding, in part: "…Apart from all this. I never have any use for a man that…has a woman to do his fighting…". A great Thomas Edison archive that gives an insider look into the machinations of his Orange, New Jersey laboratory. Minor marginal chipping and expected toning, else very good.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 + | $1,000 |