The Allen Koenigsberg Phonograph Collection
Lot 3003:
Description
This photograph was taken on April 18, 1878, at the Washington, D.C. studio of legendary photographer Mathew Brady. The photograph captures inventor Thomas Edison, his primary laboratory assistant Charles Batchelor, and Uriah Hunt Painter, a prominent Washington correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer and supporter of Edison. They are gathered around Edison’s newly invented tinfoil phonograph, which he had just demonstrated to the National Academy of Sciences and President Rutherford B. Hayes. Edison had traveled to Washington, D.C. with Charles Batchelor, to demonstrate his “speaking phonograph” which turned Edison into an instant global celebrity. The third man in the photo, Uriah Painter, was a highly influential journalist, lobbyist, and early financial backer of Edison’s inventions. The studio took several variations during this session. These included shots of Edison entirely alone with the machine, a portrait of Edison seated with Batchelor standing, and this group shot featuring all three men. The cabinet card is in overall good condition missing the upper left corner with the bottom right corner cracked but intact with an old tape repair. On the reverse is Brady’s studio information and a paper label that reads, “U.H.Painter died Oct 20/1900-. Card measures 4.25” wide, 6” tall. Most originals of this image are in libraries and institutions. This may very well be the only one in private hands. From the Allen Koenigsberg collection.
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