This letterbook covers the periods November 1892-August 1894 and September 1899-June 1900. The correspondence from the early period is primarily by William S. Logue, writing on behalf of the Edison Manufacturing Co., regarding the installation of Edison's phonoplex system. Most of the letters from the later period are by Edison and John F. Randolph. They pertain to the reopening of the iron ore concentration plant at Ogden, New Jersey; the erection of a plant in the Dunderland region of Norway, in connection with the Edison Ore Milling Syndicate, Ltd.; plans for an experimental mill at the Ortiz gold mine in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the construction of a plant at Stewartsville, New Jersey, for the manufacture of cement. Also included are numerous other items relating to Edison's interest in ore milling, mines, and ores, as well as letters concerning the domestic and foreign phonograph business; the motion picture business; engines, dynamos, and other supplies and equipment; legal concerns; Edison's family, health, and finances; and other personal matters. One item pertains to Edison's early work on the telephone and the royalties paid him by the Western Union and Bell companies.
The label on the front cover contains the following notation: "Letterbook of Thomas A. Edison. From Sept 1- 1899 To June 8th 1900- Indexed." There is a label on the spine with similar information. The book contains 684 numbered pages and an index. Approximately 20 percent of the book has been selected.
[LB064567], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Howard W Hayes, April 19th, 1900 1900-04-19