2. Sculpture, awards, and framed prints and photographs
were acquired over the years, and alcoves were used needed for office desks and
work tables. Plants were common decorative feature throughout most the
library’s use, though Edison’s later years they not seem have been used as
frequently. statue Eugene Sandow,
nineteenth-century strong man, was presented Edison after the celebrity came
to the laboratory filmed the early motion picture studio." After Edison
had taken some time alone the library absorb the change, sent for a
caterer and served lunch everyone the laboratory. 408
408 The New York Times, February 12, 1889, col.410 Although the eagle
perched many locations around the library, eventually rested the first tier
next the projector booth, sometime around 1912.411 was on
the mantel 1896 and remained there, along with the Humboldt bust,
throughout Edison’s years the library. While this flamboyant arrangement probably owes much artistic
122
. 1891, model Edison’s electric
locomotive stood the mantel, and ca. April 1889 illustration Munsey's Magazine shows huge
arrangement potted plants surrounding immense palm tree the center of
the room.
Bordiga represents the triumph electric light over other methods of
illumination; its subject winged boy holding working incandescent light bulb
over the ruins gas lamp.The employees also presented Edison with silver cigar case and engraved
card with the inscription: "The surrounding outfit laboratory conveniences are
presented his forty-second birthday Mr.
During the more than years Edison used the library, the furnishings increased
and changed gradually. Early 1890 Edison received West Orange statue had
purchased while visiting the Paris Exposition 1889.
408 The Electrical World, February 1890. Thomas Edison all the present
and few the past workers his laboratory, Orange, Feb. The marble sculpture A.
Some furnishings the library were purely decorative and reflected changes in
style and taste.
411 Dyer, Martin, and Meadowcroft, Edison: His Life and Inventions, 643."409
Statuary, prints, and photographs were rearranged accommodate new
acquisitions emphasize new interests.1895 photograph shows was joined by
a bust Alexander Humboldt, the German naturalist. stuffed eagle, with
wings spread and electrified eyes, first appears the mantel this photograph,
as does smaller stuffed bird, sitting Edison’s desk.
410 See figure 50. According 1890 article The Electrical World
the statue was "placed the centre the library where faces the doorway and
is there the first thing seen the visitor enters. 11
