Edelman was a long-time, active member of the Socialist Party in Dayton, Ohio and for a period, served as business manager for the local Socialist newspaper, Miami Valley Socialist. His papers include correspondence, clippings, political literature, Socialist campaign materials, working papers, a minute book of the Young Socialist League in Dayton (1915), scattered copies of Miami Valley Socialist, and a collection of state and national Socialist Party literature.

The bulk of records in this collection were generated by the Socialist Party organization in Dayton from 1901-1924 and include membership meeting minutes, the minutes of various committees, financial records, and a listing of new members for the years 1906-1908 and 1912-1917. Also included is a small collection of Socialist Party literature, some state and national Party materials, and a miscellaneous collection of notices, handbills, correspondence, and photographs.