Thomas Edison Incredible Archive of Hand Anotated Notes Re: Edison Service Record Club

Archive of six letters to Thomas Alva Edison from B. Wolnitzky, a laboratory assistant, all concerning problems with the Edison Service Record Club, and all with autograph notations by Edison:

1) Autograph Note with 61 words in Edison's hand, 1p, 8.5" x 11", in pencil, responding to a typed memorandum signed by B. Wolnitzky, Orange, New Jersey, September 12, 1922. Memo concerns the problems Wolnitzky foresees with the Mail Order Edison Service Record Club and the fact that some members might substitute other records for those sent, Edison responds in part, "We have a full account for 6 months of the substitution of records & stolen Etc & find it amounts to 8% of the total per year or 19- This is not serious & I cannot see how it is to be avoided even if we mark them Red."

2) Autograph Endorsement Signed, "J V Miller - / OK TAE”, in pencil, 1p, 8.5" x 11", Orange, New Jersey, September 13, 1922. Typed memorandum signed by B. Wolnitzky explaining why he needs all accounting information pertaining to the cost of "mail order home service clubs," from J. V. Miller (Edison employee and also Edison's brother-in-law, brother of Edison's second wife Mina) and asking for Edison's approval in writing, which Edison provides. Edison signs his initials with the umbrella "T".

3) Autograph Note Signed “Edison” to Wolnitzky, in pencil, 1p, 8.5" x 11", Orange, New Jersey. October 30, 1922. 1p. On a typed, unsigned memorandum from one of his managers concerning the answers to a survey of dealers on "why some owners are not in Clubs; the unsatisfactory condition on order deliveries; the average record stock per dealer and the preference of Owners for popular music." Edison responds, "Put on desk / show this to Wolnitzky / Wolnitzky see me Edison".

4) Autograph Note Signed “E”, with 31 words in his hand, in pencil, 1p, 8.5" x 11". November 11, 1922. On a typed memorandum addressed to Mr. B. A. Bailey, Sales Experimental Department, from and signed by B.Wolnitzky to which Thomas Edison was copied. Wolnitzky writes concerning salesmen for the Edison Service Record Club misrepresenting their product, telling owners or potential owners of Edison record players that the records are free. Edison responds, "I think a letter should be got up by you which I can send to my Salesmen teachers I am sending out also to Bailey so he can warn his men -"

5) Autograph Note Signed “E” with 29 words in his hand, in pencil, on top of page one of a 2.5pp handwritten memorandum, 5" x 8", signed by B. Wolnitzky, November 26, 1922. Wolnitsky suggests it would be more profitable to explain the record clubs to dealers by letter than by using salesmen. Edison responds, "Denver Dry G Co are jobbers / Wolnitzky I believe you have not understood me in this whole business as I infer from your conversation and this - see me - E".

6) Autograph Endorsement Signed, “OK TAE”, in pencil, 1.5pp, 8.5" x 11", December 7, 1922. On Wolnitzky’s handwritten memorandum concerning "salesmen who will stay in our employ in the cafeteria plan, with $40. = Forty Dollars p. week." Interestingly, Wolnitsky also encloses a card of "Miss M. Merritt who has been four years in our Organization and who was taken over by me under the condition that if her work was properly done she would get $30.00/00 (Thirty Dollar p. week. Enclosed are four mentioned re rating cards for your signature in case you find She's O.K." Edison responds, "OK TAE".

Flattened mailing folds, mild toning, minor creasing, some separation and/or wear to edges.  A near Fine archive, most desirable with so much autograph material by Thomas 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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