Sep 15, 2011 - Sale 2253

Sale 2253 - Lot 146

Price Realized: $ 2,250
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,200 - $ 1,800
(EDISON, THOMAS.) The Edison System of Incandescent Electric Lighting, as Applied in Mills, Steamships, Hotels, Theatres, Residences. Profusely illustrated. 85, 82 pages. Oblong folio, 9 1/4 x 12 inches, original illustrated wrappers, moderate wear and soiling, rebacked with paper; minor dampstaining on top edge, slight wear to a few pages; inked stamp of Charles L. Clarke on front wrapper and title page, and his Autograph Note Signed tipped in before title page. New York, 1883
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The first catalogue of the Edison Company for Isolated Lighting, possibly the first lighting catalogue ever produced. It was issued just four years after Edison's first successful light bulb test, and just a year after his Pearl Street Station became the first investor-owned electric plant. The first 85-page section is a promotional tract for the Edison incandescent lamp, with diagrams, assurances of safety, testimonials, and specifications. The second section is titled "Catalogue and Price List of Edison Light Fixtures, Manufactured by Messrs. Bergmann & Co.," which extends to 82 pages, and features ornamental lamps in a wide variety of styles, few of which would look out of place in a modern home.
The original owner of this catalogue was one of Edison's closest associates. Clarke's note is dated 1906 and explains his significance: "At the time this catalogue was published I was chief engineer of the Edison Electric Light Company for Isolated Lighting. I designed the dynamo on page 11." 5 copies in WorldCat; only one other copy known at auction.