This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the business and finances of the Edison Machine Works. Much of the correspondence is by Samuel Insull, secretary and treasurer, and relates to the sale, shipment, and performance of dynamos and other products, including machinery ordered for Edison's West Orange laboratory. Many of Insull's documents also pertain to the financial condition of the company. Also included are minutes of a board of trustees meeting, minutes of a special meeting of stockholders, a certificate changing the place of business from New York City to Schenectady, and a price list for dynamos. There is also correspondence about the company's relations with the Sprague Electric Railway and Motor Co., the construction of dynamos for Edison's Fort Myers laboratory, and the laying of underground electrical conduits in New York City.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The following categories of documents have not been selected: routine business correspondence pertaining to financing, accounts, supplies, employment, and phonoplex equipment; bills; bills of lading; duplicate copies of selected documents.
Related documents can be found in D-87-41 (Electric Light - Foreign - General) and D-87-57 (West Orange Laboratory - Suppliers - Edison Machine Works). Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.