Description:

Thomas Edison
New York, NY, ca. May 1916
Thomas Edison Signed Photo from NYC Military Preparedness Parade, 1916
Signed Photograph

A signed sepia-toned photograph of Thomas Edison and other inventors at a First World War NYC Military Preparedness Parade. Measuring 9.5" x 6.5", New York, [ca. May 1916]. Signed at the bottom edge "Thos A Edison" as well as by "Peter Cooper Hewitt", "W. L. Saunders", and "Hudson Maxim." The photograph shows Edison with a group of other men, all dressed in dark suits and holding American flags. The very bottom of the "Naval Consulting Board" sign can be seen being held just behind Edison. Stamped on verso with a copyright warning from the International Film Service. The photograph has two small tears and a larger 1.25" tear at the top center edge, along with a 1.25" tear at the bottom center edge. The tear at the bottom passes through the "n" of Edison's signature as well as his customary umbrella flourish. Some ink ghosting at the bottom edge from possible other signatures on other photographs laid across this image. Boldly signed by all. Very good.

Following the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915, Edison became an outspoken advocate of military and industrial preparedness for the ongoing war. In May 1915, he outlined a preparedness plan based on the idea that military training and equipment procurement should be organized along industrial lines and called for the stockpiling of airplanes, battleships and munitions and for the recruitment of a large army of reservists trained by private industry.

Edison's views attracted the attention of U.S. Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels, who asked Edison to head an advisory board of civilian experts to advise the U.S. Navy on matters of military technology. The Naval Consulting Board was made up of two members from eleven engineering and scientific societies and was formally convened on October 7, 1915. Seven months later, New York City held their own Military Preparedness parade on May 13, 1916, with Edison and the Naval Consulting Board in attendance.

William Lawrence Saunders (1856-1931) was a mining engineer and chairman of the Naval Consulting Board during World War I.

Peter Cooper Hewitt (1861-1921) was an American electrical engineer and inventor, who invented the first mercury-vapor lamp in 1901. He was one of the 24 original members of the NCB, having been nominated from The Inventor's Guild.

Hudson Maxim (1853-1927) was an American inventor and chemist who invented a variety of explosives, including smokeless gunpowder. Edison referred to him as "the most versatile man in America". He was one of the 24 original members of the NCB, having been nominated from American Aeronautical Society.

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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  • Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5"
  • Artist Name: Thomas Edison
  • Medium: Signed Photograph

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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