Description:

Edison Thomas

Thomas Edison Signed Telegraphers Association Pamphlet

 

Program pamphlet for the "Old Time Telegraphers' And Historical Assn. and The Society of the U.S. Military Telegraph Corps." The event was hosted at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York, on August 31st, 1905. 5" x 7.75". Outer soft wraps with 4 inner pages, inclusive of a menu, musical programme, toasts, and a listing of the members. Last page signed in graphite by Thomas Edison as "Thomas A. Edison", and 8 other association members, Melville Stone, Robert Clowry, John C. Barclay, Belvidere Brooks, E.C. Bradley and others. Tied with a silver cord through two hold. Back wrap torn along bottom hole. Light grubbiness.

 

A highly unique piece, signed by Thomas Edison, with an intriguing history.  In 1880, a circular was sent out proposing a reunion of all old time telegraphers. It was signed by General Anson Stager, then a vice president and general superintendent for Western Union in Chicago. The first reunion took place in Cincinnati in September of 1880 and was attended by one hundred veterans of the wire. By 1905, the event marked by this programmed, the Association grew quite large. The most attended reunion and the one that received the most press was the 25th annual reunion held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, August 29 through September 1, 1905. Over a thousand people in addition to the regular guests filled the hotel to capacity. Telegraphers arriving from all over the U.S. and Canada were greeted by high ranking officials from both Western Union and Postal Telegraph companies. They offered guests complimentary telegram service and the American District Telegraph and Postal District Telegraph companies each provided six of their best messenger boys to respond to the call of the delegates. The only business meeting was chaired by the associations' president that year, John C. Barclay, the chief engineer for Western Union. He was presented with a medallion of Samuel Morse, a tradition started by James D. Reid of handing the medallion to the sitting president of the Association during his term. A business meeting of the Society of the United States Military Telegraph Corps followed. 

 

A large number of dignitaries and telegraph company officials attended the banquet including most of the railroad telegraph superintendents. Behind the speaker's table was an illuminated symbol of "73" described as being, "in electricity." (73 in Morse Code meant "Regards" or "Best Regards."). This same "73" appears on the front cover of this Programme.

 

Probably the most recognizable member who attended the banquet was Thomas A. Edison. He was sitting next to Postal Telegraph Company president, Clarence H. Mackay.  Autograph seekers scrambled to get their programs signed by the inventor who graciously complied.

 

Over the years the Old Time Telegraphers' and Historical Association collected important historical material in addition to promoting fraternal fellowship among its membership. They were also responsible for the erection of monuments related to historical events in telegraphic history. In the late 1920s, the telegraph instruments and historical material that was gathered by successive historians of the Association was kept in the publisher's storage room of the Telegraph and Telephone Age in New York. It was later moved to J.H. Bunnell & Company's New York offices and showroom at 32 Park Place. In 1930, the Association's membership was still at 2300 members but in 1934 the organization was discontinued. Their priceless telegraph collection of over 54 years was given to the Edison Institute Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. 

 

Thomas Edition was the holder of a record 1,093 successful U.S. patents, he applied for his first one (for an electrographic vote-recorder) in 1868 at the age of 21 and his last (for a holder for an article to be electroplated) the year he died.



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