Early Electricity and Telephone Documents of Inventor George C. Maynard

Archive. Journals, notebooks, notes, and related papers regarding the spread of telephone communications in the late 19th century. Nineteen items. George C. Maynard (1839-1918) was a telegraph operator who worked for the U.S. Army Telegraph Service during the Civil War. He later worked for the U.S. Signal Service and the fledgling telephone industry. He documented the growing telecommunications industry as curator at the National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building at the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C. He was also Superintendent of the first telephone company in the District. This collection documents the growth of the telephone and related businesses in the cities and towns of the United States, along with some observations on the Civil War, home and family life, donations to the Smithsonian. InventoryGEORGE C. MAYNARD. Record of Documents. West Virginia and Washington, D.C., October 25, 1883-June 30, 1887. 44 pp. 8 x 10 1/2 in. Journal containing a record of documents pertaining to the founding of the National Electric Company, including the Certificate of Incorporation(p. 7-8), company by-laws (p. 13-17), the form of a stock certificate (p.18-19). The documents span the first thirty six pages of the book, as well as pages 100-107. Condition: Spine has begun to separate.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Notebook. Various cities in the U.S.1879-1882. 23 pp. 3 1/2 x 6 in.The notebook contains many notes regarding electricity and telephones in various cities around the United States. Many notes refer to businesses related to these industries. "Think WU Co [Western Union] getting stronger and Bell Co. weaker judging by activity of WU in local Co." Condition: Many loose pages, poor.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Journal. Washington D.C. April 13, 1874-September 30-1875. 40 pp. 6 x 7 1/4 in.This book includes information on the location and composition of lightning rods around Washington D.C. Some of these locations are the War Department, Department of the Navy, and the new British legation which was still under construction. Condition: Textblock is detached from the cover with some minimal page toning.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Typed document. 1pp. 8 x 5 in.This typed "Foreword" gives a short biography of Maynard's life. Condition: Tears along the edges.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Work Estimates. January 1883- May 1883. 12pp. 7 3/4 x 10 in.Seven estimates listing different types of improvements such as running wires and installing electric door bells and burglar alarms.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. List of Artifacts for the Smithsonian. circa 1916. 3pp. 8 x 10 1/2 in.A list of items donated to the Smithsonian with notations around them in pencil.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Engle Primary Battery Pamphlet. Washington D.C. circa 1913. 4 pp. 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.The pamphlet describes the Engle battery and options regarding the incorporation of state and independent companies.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Unused Proposal for Electric Lamps. Kansas City, MO. 1880's. 2pp. 8 x 10 1/4 in.Proposal to the Kawsmouth Electric Light Company requesting the installation of "lamps and lights". Also includes the rates for each time circuit as well as the cost of the lamps themselves. Condition: Good, some minor tears. OTHER ITEMSGEORGE C. MAYNARD. CDV. Washington D.C. 1p. 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. Backmark from M.P. Rice and A.I. Rice. Condition: Minor damage near the upper edge.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. ALS. Washington D.C. June 29, 1882. 1p. 8 x 10 in.A letter from George C. Maynard to his Aunt Eliza about the weather and the antics of his son Colton. The letter is on his personal letterhead.GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Typed Extract of a letter from Jefferson Davis to his wife. Charlotte, NC. April 23, 1865. 1p. 8 x 5 1/2 in.The extract talks about the surrender terms of General Joseph E. Johnston to General William T. Sherman. Maynard notes on the bottom "My War Diary May 26, 1865 shows different wording."GEORGE C. MAYNARD. Business card. Washington D.C. 1881, as both an electrical engineer and an editor for the E. (See.…