Description of the American Electro Magnetic Telegraph : Now in Operation between the Cities of Washington and Baltimore. Illustrated by Fourteen Wood Engravings
Author: Vail, Alfred
Title: Description of the American Electro Magnetic Telegraph : Now in Operation between the Cities of Washington and Baltimore. Illustrated by Fourteen Wood Engravings
Publication: Washington, [DC]: J. & G. S. Gideon 1845
Edition: First Edition
Description: [1 (title page)]-24 pages. 8vo. 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches. With original printed tan wrappers, priced at 12 1/2 cents at head of wrappers. Stitched. Heavily foxed internally, dusty and soiled wrappers. Vertically creased. A portion of previous owner signature dated 1847 excised at top of title page. Old dealer's card laid in incorrectly noting 15 text engravings rather than the actual 14 (with matching penciled number on front wrapper). Good. Wraps.
Published in 1845 by Vail after the successful test of a Congressionally approved experimental telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington DC in response to repeated requests for information.
Separately paginated and with a new title page, the contents of this pamphlet are also found on pages [9]-31 of "The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph : with the Reports of Congress, and a Description of All Telegraphs Known, employing electricity or galvanism." published in Philadelphia by Lea & Blanchard in the same year and is advertised on the rear wrapper along with the current work. We have also seen this pamphlet in blue wrappers, but without the price.
"Origins of Cyberspace" cites this pamphlet, noting that it was "probably" issued first. Both contain the same identical early printing of Morse code, one of the earliest printings of the 1844 revision of “American Morse”.
An important work, and one worthy of inclusion in any collection related to History of Communication or the Telegraph.
PROVENANCE:
The reference collection of communications historian William "Bill" Holly.
LITERATURE:
Sterling & Shiers, "History of Telecommunications Technology, An Annotated Bibliography", Scarecrow Press: 2000, (6-003b)
Hook and Norman, "Origins of Cyberspace", #208 (lacking the wrappers)
Wheeler Gift, #1087 (illustrated)
Not in the Ronalds Collection
Seller ID: 29395
Subject: History of Communication, Telegraphy & Telephony
