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These records consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, agreements, and other material pertaining to the administration of ESBCo. The unbound correspondence is organized chronologically by decade as follows: 1901-1910, 1911-1920, and 1921-1931. The corporate documentation (1901-1924), also organized chronologically, includes agreements, drafts of agreements, certificates, mortgages, a federal tax filing, and other official documents generated by ESBCo. There is also a letterbook covering the period 1904-1916.

The following categories of documents have been selected: correspondence regarding Edison's participation in, or oversight of, ESBCo administration; letters providing an overview of corporate organization or policies; agreements signed by Edison and drafts authored by him; official documents that detail the financial and administrative organization of the company.

The following categories of documents have not been selected: Executive Committee minutes; correspondence regarding routine details of purchasing, sales, accountancy, and other daily operations; unsigned agreements; patent assignments; letters of transmittal and acknowledgment; items that duplicate information in selected material.

The selected records are arranged in the following order: (1) unbound correspondence; (2) corporate documentation; and (3) letterbook.

Records not selected

Executive Committee Minutes (1916-1918)

These minutes cover the period September 1916-May 1918. Members of the ESBCo Executive Committee included Charles Edison, who served as chairman, and corporate vice presidents Robert A. Bachman, Stephen B. Mambert, John V. Miller, and H. G. Thompson, although membership and participation varied over time. Included in the minutes of the weekly committee meetings are discussions of corporate policy, product development, and sales structure, as well as routine matters of day-to-day operations and accountancy. The minutes reflect the frustrations of the Executive Committee with the businesses of Miller Reese Hutchison and John F. Monnot—individuals with whom ESBCo had sales agreements. Also included are discussions of estimated retooling expenses, standard sales discounts, prices of supplies and by-products, minor details of plant organization, company letterhead, stock on hand, and insurance. In several cases, one committee member was delegated to consult with Edison regarding a proposed product or expenditure.