Description of the American Electro Magnetic Telegraph : Now in Operation between the Cities of Washington and Baltimore. Illustrated by Fourteen Wood Engravings
Washington, [DC]: J. & G. S. Gideon 1845. First Edition. [1 (title page)]-24 pages. 8vo. 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches. Lacks the original wrappers. Removed from a bound volume of papers. Disbound (lacking the stitching), lightly creased vertically, and with glue/binding remnants at the spine edge. Textblock has marginal paper loss to the base of the spine (one inch by 1/8 inch). Paper browned but still supple, with spotting and staining, especially to page 24. A rough copy of an important work and priced accordingly. Good. Wraps. [25268]
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 content of this pamphlet is 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.
Norman and Hooke's Origins of Cyberspace (#208), 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.
LITERATURE:
Sterling & Shiers, "History of Telecommunications Technology, An Annotated Bibliography", Scarecrow Press: 2000, (6-003b)
Hook and Norman, "Origins of Cyberspace", #208
Wheeler Gift, #1087 (illustrated)
Not in the Ronalds Collection.
Price: $450.00