Lot 1202

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

SAMUEL F. B. MORSE
(1791 - 1872) American inventor credited with the invention of the telegraph, as well as a signaling alphabet known as the Morse Code. Fine content A.L.S. "Saml. F.B. Morse" marked "Private" at top, 11p. 4to., "Po'keepsie", June 30, 1854, to his friend Samuel Colgate in New York City. Morse informs him: "...My object in wishing your proxy and your brother's at the next election of Officers in the N.Y. Alb. & Buff. [Telegraph] Co.…to put Mr. Curtis one of the present directors in the place of Mr. Butterfield the present President whose course has been of so mysterious a character as to destroy confidence in his administration, and bring into discredit the character of our [telegraph] line, and the value of the Stock...distrust of the President [is]so general in the Utica community that the stock has depreciated to an alarming extent. He says he doubts if it would sell at $60. This on a line that heretofore made 10 or 12 p[e]rcent and whose receipts would warrant a dividend of 14 p[e]rcent shows some gross mismanagement somewhere. Mr. B's known intrigues with the House private [sic] line and his ownership of Stock...all require that we should have a reform. I presume Mr. Hunt must be aware of these facts. Please ascertain his views and let me know. If he has the same views with myself as expressed above I should prefer that he rather than I should have your proxies...". In a postscript, he adds "Love to Libby from us all, & to yourself". Within a year, on June 26, 1855, Milton S. Latham, a member of Congress from California, would make a proposition to Morse on behalf of the State of California to purchase at a sizeable sum the Morse patent rights for telegraph lines in California, making the inventor a rich man. Light, even toning, overall very good condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent priority or equivalent by courier, signature required, unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.

May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 21.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000