TAE Large Format Cabinet Card Signed to John H Vail 1884

Name/Title

TAE Large Format Cabinet Card Signed to John H Vail 1884

Entry/Object ID

2023.1.28

Description

TAE Large Format Cabinet Card Signed to John H Vail. This photograph was taken in 1884 by Benjamin Falk, said to be Edison's favorite portrait photographer. John Vail was a pertinent Edison employee during Edison's pioneering electric lighting period. Vail started with the Edison interests at Menlo Park in July of 1880 and was tasked with dynamo experimentation. By December Vail became the operator of the dynamos at the Menlo Park machine shop that fed the complex. By 1886 Vail was promoted to Chief Engineer of The Edison Electric Light Co (served in this position 1886-1889). Vail left the Edison companies in 1896. Photo appears to be mounted with original period frame and mat. Back inscribed with date of "Nov-22 1884".

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Benjamin Falk

Role

Photographer

Studio

Falk Studio

Date made

circa 1884

Time Period

19th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

New York, NY

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Back

Transcription

NOV-22 1884

Material/Technique

Pencil