Canadian General Electric Company, Limited

Canadian General Electric, traces its origins to two previous companies both incorporated in 1882: the Edison Electric Light Company of Canada and Thomson-Houston Electric Light Company of Canada. The former was originally established in Hamilton, Ontario, with shareholders: Thomas Alva Edison and Grosvenor Porter Lawrey of New York City, E. Hearle of Montreal, James Sutherland of Woodstock (Ontario) and Alexander Maclnnes of Hamilton. The latter was originally established in Montreal. In keeping with the rapid developments of the times, subsidiaries were formed and a branch plant was established in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The Edison company was selling and installing isolated plant systems of lighting and power for industry as well as central stations for illuminating companies to supply electricity for lighting cities and towns.

In 1889 the Edison General Electric Company of New York was formed to consolidate the many manufacturing operations of the Edison interests including those in Canada. By 1890 the Sherbrooke plant, employing 175 men, had insufficient capacity to meet the rapidly expanding volume of business. A larger plant was constructed at Peterborough, Ontario consisting of three buildings 272 feet long with total manufacturing area of 74,000 sq. ft. which closely resembled the Edison shops in Schenectady, N.Y. The entire Sherbrooke staff was transferred to Peterborough and then expanded to 400 persons to manufacture dynamos, motors for stationary power and electrical railway purposes, mining locomotives, underground conductors, electrical instruments, appliances, electric cables and insulated wire.

In 1892 the operations and assets of the Edison, Thomson-Houston and Brush Electric were consolidated into the General Electric Company of New York. Within a few months Canadian General Electric was formed to merge the assets, in Canada, of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston.


Certificate: Cumulative Preference Shares, issued in the 1920’s

Printer: Canadian Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 7 3/4” (h) x 11 1/4” (w)

Incorporation: CN-Canada

Subject Matter: Famous Companies | Utility Companies | Electric Companies

Vignette Topic(s): Allegorical Featured | Allegorical Mercury | River Scene

Condition: Vertical fold lines, punch hole and stamp cancels in the signature areas and body, and some toning and edge faults from age. 1 1/2" tear enters right side body without paper loss. The piece pictured is the one you will receive.