Description:

FIRST TELEGRAPH MESSAGE BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA AND SAN FRANCISCO
ALEXANDER HENRY (1823-1883) Mayor of Philadelphia during the Civil War. Historic A.D.S. on "Office of the Mayor" letterhead, 1p. 8vo., Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 1861, the text of the first telegram ever sent from Philadelphia across the country, via the newly-installed overhead single telegraph line. In full: "To Hon. H. T. Teschmuer [ibid, actually "Henry F, Teschemacher"] Mayor of San Francisco Philadelphia reciprocates the kindly greeting of San Francisco. May the Pacific telegraph ever interchange between the two cities messages of loyalty and good will. Alexander Henry Mayor of Philadelphia". On verso, the letter is docketed: "Oct. 25, 1861. Opening of Tel. Com. with San Francisco rec'd - Oct. 26 - & replied to". Small tear at bottom margin, else very good. Just the day before, New York had been contacted from the West Coast, and on the 24th, the very first message had been sent to President Abraham Lincoln at the White House. Sold with a related item, "The Year-Book of Wireless Telegraphy & Telephony, 1915", (London: The Wireless Press, Ltd), 794pp. plus advertisements, 8vo. , a complete almanac.

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February 11, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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