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I was looking through my Edison cylinders and found an Edison signature on the bottom of a cylinder box. It said "From Charles Edison to someone, Xmas, 1959. If anyone is interested I'll take a pic of it.

Very interesting and yes, a photo would be really nice to see.

Yes, I'd like to see a photo too.

I would enjoy seeing that too!
Dave D

Here are some pics of that cylinder with Charles Edison's signature. It is a 4 min. wax Amberol no. 89 with "I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls" sung by Edith Chapman, from The Bohemian Girl by Balfe. I have no idea if this was the cylinder that was in this box when Charles Edison gave it as a gift, as cylinders tend to get shifted around to different boxes over the years. Charles was the one who is largely responsible for creating the Edisonic machines, as well as the Edison radio/phonographs in the 1927-1930 era. Breaking with family tradition, Charles became a Democrat during the FDR administration, and served briefly as Secretary of the Navy, but resigned in 1940 to run for governor of New Jersey. He was born in 1890 and died in 1969. He would have been 69 at the time of signing this cylinder box.

Marc.

Charles Edison bio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Edison

I may be wrong, but I don't think that is Charles Edison's handwriting. I have a letter signed by him and looked at several on line. I think what you have is really cool, but I believe the handwriting is that of the recipient, not Charles Edison.

Dave '

I don't have anything at hand to compare it with but the writing should be somewhat similar to others, of course. Wasn't there any other paper slip or letter than came with it, so its provenance can be traced back?

Dave D wrote:I may be wrong, but I don't think that is Charles Edison's handwriting. I have a letter signed by him and looked at several on line. I think what you have is really cool, but I believe the handwriting is that of the recipient, not Charles Edison.

Dave '

I would have to agree. That's not Charles Edison's handwriting. Could be the recipient or a secretary, or perhaps the recipient's wife? It's more like a woman's handwriting than a man's.

I never thought of that, but it seems plausible that a secretary or the recipient may have written this note just to remind the new owner where this cylinder came from. Here are a couple of examples of Charles Edison's actual signature:

That sign looks indeed quite different. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting piece of history and maybe you can trace it back to the person who it was given to.