LIFE

Managing Director of Edison in Berlin

Early in 1910 Edison's recording expert Thomas Graf and an assistant by the name of Bocchi were sent to Europe to make cylinder and disc masters (Tinfoil p. 192)
Until 1 Nov 1915 manager of Edison Gesellschaft in Berlin (from 1904)
Edison Gesellschaft: This German company began operating in Berlin on April 1, 1904. It succeeded the National Phonograph Company, Berlin, an unincorporated business, and it sold phonographs, kinetoscopes and films, primary batteries, numbering machines, and other Edison products. Thomas Graf served as manager until November 1, 1915. The company ceased operations shortly after the onset of World War I, although it continued to maintain a small office until Graf's resignation. It was legally dissolved on April 12, 1926.

Several ELLIS ISLAND citings:
Lawyer



Thomas GRAF ( y)
SS “KAISER WILHELM II”
3 July 1906, Bremen, GERMANY
10 July 1906, New York
(29y) commercial traveler
To conference of National Phonograph Co.
residence: Berlin, GERMANY



Thomas GRAF
SS “GRAF WALDERSEE”
1 Aug 1910, Boulogne-sur-Mer
12 Aug 1910, New York
(32y) managing director
see pp 62-63/66 of Edison Phonograph. The British Connection by Frank Andrews)
last permanent residence: London, ENGLAND



director
SS “KRONPRINZ WILHELM”
29 Oct. 1912, Bremen, GERMANY
5 Nov 1912, New York



(Edison Company, East Orange, NJ)
SS “KAISER WILHELM II”
24 Febr 1914, Bremen, GERMANY
3 Mar 1914, New York



Managing Director Edison Works
SS “IMPERATOR”
11 Mar 1914, Hamburg
19 Mar 1914, New York


19 May 1914


Visited USA in 1887-1899 / 1900-1901


WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Thomas Graf (40y)
Bridgeport, Fairfield, CT


Thomas Graf (Lugt 1092a). Graf (1878-1951) was an intellectually accomplished man who worked for some time in the United States as assistant to Thomas Edison. Returning to Berlin, he established himself as a book seller. As a collector, he had a particular passion for 17th century Dutch and Flemish etchings, and later for German Little Masters, Italian engravings and finally, 19th-century German prints. The last was sold at auction in 1934, but the greater part of his collection was destroyed in World War II. Still, prints with his mark are occasionally found, and much desired as he had an excellent eye. (source: internet)