Impressive archive of papers from the collection of Edison inspector/salesman Hal Starrett, comprising several memos annotated in Edison's hand, plus related correspondence. Highlights include:
- Four-page typed memo by Starrett, headed "A Working Plan for Educating Junior Executives," May 28, 1921, copiously annotated in pencil by Edison. The document outlines several suggestions for training efficient employees. Edison writes several comments in the margins: "I start them all as inspectors with a list of what they are to inspect or on a job which I teach them myself," "Can't do this successfully for any length of time," "I intend to use A men on all work, even physics & chemistry," and "Any A man who inspects a Dept for 2 or 3 months should be far more familiar with it than the ones I have had," and "I want to get rid of complication. I want to try out the way I am now doing to get data & results, E."
- ALS to Edison from "Folsom," asking for clarification about Starrett's role in the chain of command, August 30, 1921, with Edison's response penciled at the top: "Starrett I hold Folsom responsible for delivery of moulds to stock-house therefore you will be under him - but with reports received from other Depts. & inspectors you will have to send your comebacks to me direct, E."
- TLS from Starrett to Edison, December 7, 1921, with applied sketch of a proposed "advertising novelty in the form of a stereoscopic disc printed on cardboard," for use on Edison phonograph discs. At the top, Edison writes in pencil: "Starrett—Explain to me, E."
- TLS from Starrett to Edison, January 5, 1923, requesting supplies for a Bound Brook location, tersely annotated in pencil by Edison with several replies: "Starrett, see me," "We have excess office furniture here," "No not yet," and "Wrong you need 3."
- TLS from Starrett to Edison, January 5, 1923, asking to establish a standardized equipment list. At the top, Edison writes in pencil: "How can we do it on theory—this…is our first text, let us learn from this, E."
- TLS from Starrett to Edison, January 5, 1923, providing a report on a shortage of certain phonograph models that has affected sales. At the top, Edison writes in pencil: "Put on desk."
Also in the archive are un-annotated memos from Starrett, including a report on the billing department of the Edison Storage Battery Division, a report on the inspection of the plating department, a letter concerning the sale of phonographs, and some correspondence associated with the Edison companies including a TLS from his secretary William Henry Meadowcroft.
Additional intriguing items are a small wooden box with an Edison 'umbrella' signature carved into the bottom—unknown as to its origin—and a hardcover first edition book, Edison by Rex Beasley, signed and inscribed on the first free end page by Beasley. Consignor notes that all items in the archive originate from Beasley's estate.
In overall very good to fine condition, with some scattered toning and chipping to the papers.
