The documents in this collection cover the years 1880-1927. Most of them are by Edison. Among the items from the 1880s and 1890s are letters to Captain Henry Stull and longtime Edison associate John F. Ott regarding ore deposits and carbon telephone transmitters. In addition, there are letters of reference or introduction written on behalf of laboratory assistant H. De Coursey Hamilton, phonograph representative Robert L. Thomae, and engineer Lewis W. Sheldon. Other documents from this period include an 1883 annual report of the Edison Electric Light Co.; a pass issued by Edison for admission to work areas; and a receipt for the sale of Edison's shares in the Edison Phonograph Co. to entrepreneur Jesse H. Lippincott.

The twentieth-century correspondents include Charles Edison, congressman Richard W. Parker, neurologist Frederick Tilney, and railroad president Benjamin L. Winchell. Their letters relate to the quality of Edison cement, the appointment of a postmaster in Orange, the management of Edison's companies, and the health of Charles Edison. Also included are technical notes from 1912 on metal alloys, written by Edison to Ludwig (Louis) Ott, and several notes from the 1920s, signed by Edison and experimenter Paul D. Payne, pertaining to storage batteries and automobile starter tests. Other documents from this period include a 1908 report to the stockholders of the Edison Storage Battery Co.; Edison's 1920 proxy form for Edison Primary Batteries, Inc.; and an undated dinner menu written by Edison.

A few of the images are slightly blurred because the original documents were framed behind glass at the time they were photographed.