![ARCHITECTURE - ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL Manuscript planning brief for work under the supervision of Inigo Jones, [c.1631]](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg1.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%252Flive%252F2025-10%252F16%252F25762965-1-1.jpg%26width%3D650&w=2400&q=75)
![ADVERTISING POSTERfor 'The Suffragette' newspaper, [c.1913-1914]](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg1.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%252Flive%252F2025-06%252F25%252F25680656-116-1.jpg%26width%3D650&w=2400&q=75)
![ILLUMINATED ADDRESS – CLARA CODD Illuminated printed address signed by Emmeline Pankhurst, [1909]](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg1.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%252Flive%252F2025-06%252F25%252F25680656-32-1.jpg%26width%3D650&w=2400&q=75)
![MUSIC & RECORDINGS – ETHEL SMYTH Collection of printed music, song sheets and records, [c.1911-1912]](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg1.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%252Flive%252F2025-10%252F09%252F25680656-99-1.jpg%26width%3D650&w=2400&q=75)
Darren Sutherland
Specialist
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Science and Medicine
Lot 60
EDISONIA. EDISON, THOMAS ALVA. 1847-1931. A significant Edison archive of correspondence, documents, printed ephemera, photographs, &c., from the papers of Edison Co. chief engineer Charles Lorenzo Clarke (1853-1941),
24 April – 4 May 2023, 12:00 EDT
Online, New YorkSold for US$4,080 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Books & Manuscripts specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
EDISONIA.
EDISON, THOMAS ALVA. 1847-1931. A significant Edison archive of correspondence, documents, printed ephemera, photographs, &c., from the papers of Edison Co. chief engineer Charles Lorenzo Clarke (1853-1941), approximately 300 items, including many from the 1880-84 period, the collection includes a remarkable correspondence with fellow Edison Pioneers (1918-ca. 1930), and other Edisonia, 1885-1940. Includes:
1. Bradbound scrapbook, titled in ink "Relating to Edison," containing correspondence and ephemera, original photograph of the Edison engineers in front of the original Edison Works, 1881-1886, photograph printed later, annotated by Clarke to verso (80 items).
2. Bradbound scrapbook, titled "EDISON'S PIONEERS/ 1925-1926/ No 4/ (in ink)136-222," signed by Clarke with his return address, autograph contents page, containing correspondence and ephemera from Jehl, Martin, Wardlaw, Howell, Leab, etc, including Clarke's autograph draft addresses as President of the Edison Pioneers, January 1, 1926, two versions, one of which was delivered (86 items).
3. Folder labeled "MISC CORRESPONDENCE," including letters on the history of Edison's incandescent lamp, retained correspondence from Clarke in early photostat reproduction, original letters signed by Henry Schroeder, Charles Abbott and F.R. Upton (14 items).
4. Folder labeled "F.A. WARDLAW CORRESPONDENCE" containing 7 Als from Wardlaw, 7 retained early photostat copies of Clarke, and Wardlaw's circular promoting a 1922 Museum Exhibition of Edisonia (15 items).
5. Folder labeled "T.C. MARTIN CORRESPONDENCE" containing more that 20 Als from Martin, and 11 retained copies from Clarke (31 items).
6. Two folders labeled "PRE-1885 EPHEMERA (LOOSE)" and "LOOSE EPHEMERA (MISC)" containing letters, invitations, pamphlets, including: original blank contract between Southwark Foundry AND The Edison Electric Light Company for 26 engines, stamped "Charles L. Clarke" on outer wrapper; carbon copy of an article titled "Edison's Locomotive" for The Railroader, Nov 1880, annotated by Clarke to upper margin, signed and dated March 9, 1903; 3 Als from Antoine Breguet, director of installation for the Exposition Internationale de l'Électricité in Paris, regarding exhibition of 1881; enclosure of the Economic Electric Company, Boston, MA, with printed note asking for information on electric lighting; 29 pp of autograph notes by Clarke on Edison the man and his inventions (15 items).
7. Collection of 21 publications on the history, technology and inventions of the Edison companies, most with Clarke's autograph ownership inscription and many with additional notes in his hand, including 5 before 1900 (all signed by Clarke, 1 stamped): Edison's Electric Railway (1882) prepared by Clarke; Morton, Reports on the Topophone and the Electric Light (1880); Morton, Report on the Electric Light (1881); Instructions for the Installation of Isolated Plant [1881, stamped "Charles L. Clarke - Private"]; Annual Report ... Jan 17, 1893 ... The Edison Electric Illuminating Company, annotated by Clarke, with envelope additionally annotated and signed by Clarke, "See page 16, for reference to me, Chas. L. Clarke/ Copies of this report are rare" (21 items).
8. Approximately 20 photographs of early Edison works, and portraits of early Edison pioneers, various sizes, many annotated and signed by Clarke (20 items).
Charles Lorenzo Clarke began as a Laboratory Assistant at Menlo Park (1880) before becoming Chief Engineer of the Edison Electric Light Co., New York (1881-84), and then Charter Member (1918) and President (1925-26) of the Edison Pioneers. A fascinating archive of documents from the inner circle of Thomas Edison and his companies.
1. Bradbound scrapbook, titled in ink "Relating to Edison," containing correspondence and ephemera, original photograph of the Edison engineers in front of the original Edison Works, 1881-1886, photograph printed later, annotated by Clarke to verso (80 items).
2. Bradbound scrapbook, titled "EDISON'S PIONEERS/ 1925-1926/ No 4/ (in ink)136-222," signed by Clarke with his return address, autograph contents page, containing correspondence and ephemera from Jehl, Martin, Wardlaw, Howell, Leab, etc, including Clarke's autograph draft addresses as President of the Edison Pioneers, January 1, 1926, two versions, one of which was delivered (86 items).
3. Folder labeled "MISC CORRESPONDENCE," including letters on the history of Edison's incandescent lamp, retained correspondence from Clarke in early photostat reproduction, original letters signed by Henry Schroeder, Charles Abbott and F.R. Upton (14 items).
4. Folder labeled "F.A. WARDLAW CORRESPONDENCE" containing 7 Als from Wardlaw, 7 retained early photostat copies of Clarke, and Wardlaw's circular promoting a 1922 Museum Exhibition of Edisonia (15 items).
5. Folder labeled "T.C. MARTIN CORRESPONDENCE" containing more that 20 Als from Martin, and 11 retained copies from Clarke (31 items).
6. Two folders labeled "PRE-1885 EPHEMERA (LOOSE)" and "LOOSE EPHEMERA (MISC)" containing letters, invitations, pamphlets, including: original blank contract between Southwark Foundry AND The Edison Electric Light Company for 26 engines, stamped "Charles L. Clarke" on outer wrapper; carbon copy of an article titled "Edison's Locomotive" for The Railroader, Nov 1880, annotated by Clarke to upper margin, signed and dated March 9, 1903; 3 Als from Antoine Breguet, director of installation for the Exposition Internationale de l'Électricité in Paris, regarding exhibition of 1881; enclosure of the Economic Electric Company, Boston, MA, with printed note asking for information on electric lighting; 29 pp of autograph notes by Clarke on Edison the man and his inventions (15 items).
7. Collection of 21 publications on the history, technology and inventions of the Edison companies, most with Clarke's autograph ownership inscription and many with additional notes in his hand, including 5 before 1900 (all signed by Clarke, 1 stamped): Edison's Electric Railway (1882) prepared by Clarke; Morton, Reports on the Topophone and the Electric Light (1880); Morton, Report on the Electric Light (1881); Instructions for the Installation of Isolated Plant [1881, stamped "Charles L. Clarke - Private"]; Annual Report ... Jan 17, 1893 ... The Edison Electric Illuminating Company, annotated by Clarke, with envelope additionally annotated and signed by Clarke, "See page 16, for reference to me, Chas. L. Clarke/ Copies of this report are rare" (21 items).
8. Approximately 20 photographs of early Edison works, and portraits of early Edison pioneers, various sizes, many annotated and signed by Clarke (20 items).
Charles Lorenzo Clarke began as a Laboratory Assistant at Menlo Park (1880) before becoming Chief Engineer of the Edison Electric Light Co., New York (1881-84), and then Charter Member (1918) and President (1925-26) of the Edison Pioneers. A fascinating archive of documents from the inner circle of Thomas Edison and his companies.