Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A vintage automotive spark plug featuring Thomas Edison's signature branding and proprietary 'Albanite' ceramic insulation. This piece represents the intersection of the electrical revolution and the golden age of the American internal combustion engine.
Story
Thomas Edison didn't just invent the lightbulb; he sought to perfect the gasoline engine's heartbeat. By 1928, his company acquired Splitdorf-Bethlehem to dominate the ignition market. This plug's 'Albanite' insulator was a secret ceramic formula designed to withstand extreme heat.
Maker / Origin
The Edison-Splitdorf Corporation was a subsidiary of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., based in West Orange. It merged the legendary inventor's electrical expertise with Splitdorf's established ignition manufacturing. This was one of the few consumer products that carried Edison's actual signature as a mark of quality.
Condition & Value
The box shows significant wear and tearing at the flaps, though the graphics remain legible. The spark plug appears unused (New Old Stock), though there is some oxidation on the metal terminal. The box's condition prevents it from reaching the top-tier collector price of $100+.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.