{"product_id":"thomas-edison-initialed-letter","title":"Thomas Edison Initialed Letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis image is a resignation letter from August 27, 1924, addressed to Charles Edison at Thomas A. Edison, Inc. The letter features a sharp, handwritten note from Edison responding to the employee's departure. The note reads:\"This obviates the necessity of firing him - Yes. Dead one.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDetails of the Letter\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecipient: Mr. Charles Edison, who at the time was a key leader in his father's company. He later became chairman of Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in 1916 and president in 1926.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContent: The sender (whose signature appears to be Geo. Benaford) states he has accepted a new position in the \"Mechanical field\" and offers his resignation, effective Saturday, September 13th.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Reaction: The handwritten note reveals that the company was already planning to fire the individual, calling him a \"Dead one,\" which was common period slang for someone seen as useless or unproductive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles Edison was the son of famed inventor Thomas Edison. While Thomas Edison is most famous for inventions like the light bulb and phonograph, Charles is well-known for his later career in public service, including serving as Secretary of the Navy under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorical Context: This letter is particularly significant because it documents the \"Dark Period\" of 1921–1924, when Edison returned to his company to conduct a massive \"purge\" of employees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlunt Content: Rare letters where Edison expresses strong personal opinions—such as calling an employee a \"dead one\"—are more desirable to collectors than routine business signatures. Similar blunt letters regarding office inefficiency have been valued at approximately $3,500.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAssociation: The fact that the letter is addressed to his son, Charles Edison, adds further value due to the well-documented and often tense working relationship between them. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44600967037006,"sku":"EB-327155388488","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/8155\/9630\/files\/57_f76c1d92-28ee-454a-9ed6-4e2c942585f9.jpg?v=1792408946","url":"https:\/\/thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/thomas-edison-initialed-letter","provider":"The Archive Authority","version":"1.0","type":"link"}