Description:

Edison in Crisis! "We are Rather Quickly Approaching a Crisis.. I Shall Have to Drop All My Experiments... Our Records Are Horrible". Unique ALS Written to Edison's Son. 

2p, each measuring 5" x 8", dated December 13, 1919. Boldly signed by Thomas Edison as "Edison" and addressed to his son Charles Edison. Condition is very good condition with flattened folds.

In this unique ALS, Edison complains about cost issues and poor management within Diamond Disk Records. Edison requests that "Clark" (George Edward Clark) be brought back in to properly manage the division and if not he would be forced to "Drop all my experiments and take hold myself." He concludes with, "Our records today are horrible" and that, "Golls (?) executive ability is zero". The letter provides incredible insight into the ongoing struggles of the world-famous inventor, exemplifying the type of perfectionist Edison was and what great lengths he went through to hone his vision. 

Edison writes, with some spelling and punctuation errors:

"Charles

We are rather quickly approaching a crisis in the dis. We are averaging less than 15 records per man pay roll is constantly going up We are getting about 25 to 30 thousand daily. got 35@38 with 200 men less some time ago. It takes weeks to get a trivial change made, Goff don't watch his men or teach them things go along for weeks then when it comes to an impasse he of course finds it out. Without Clark comes back we will have but fews records soon and at a prohibitive cost. 

If we can't have Clark I shall have to drop all my experiments and take hold myself. 

Our records today are Horrible-  Golls Executive ability is Zero. 

Edison"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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