The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph: with the Reports of Congress, and a Description of all Telegraphs Known, employing Electricity or Galvanism
by VAIL, ALFRED
- Used
- Very Good
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- Very Good
- Seller
-
New York, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Philidelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1845. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. FIRST EDITION, LEONARD GALE'S COPY, of perhaps the most important book documenting the earliest history of telegraphy. Gale's work with Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail was critical to the success of the telegraph. With Gale's ownership signature on title page and front pastedown. On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse famously sent the world's first telegraphic message: "What Hath God Wrought" from the Rotunda of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD. On the other end of this transmission was Alfred Vail, the lesser known, but equally important inventor of the telegraph. Vail's contributions vastly improved upon Morse's design and were critical to the telegraph's success.
Published in 1845, one year following the aforementioned successful telegraphic test, Vail's The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph describes in detail the workings of the device and its applications as well as the history of telegraphy. Containing 81 engravings and several reports of Congress on the subject of electro magnetic telegraphs, this book serves as the earliest, and most complete survey of the work done to that date in the field of telegraphy.
This particular copy belonged to Dr. Leonard D. Gale. Like Vail, Gale's contributions to the success of the telegraph were critical, having worked closely with Morse and Vail on the invention. According to the Library of Congress, Gale was instrumental in pointing out the flaws in Morse's telegraph system and showing him how to boost the strength of the signal and overcome distance problems. Gale is quoted and/or mentioned numerous times in the book.
Gale signed and dated the book twice: once on the front pastedown (dated 1845, the year of publication) and once on the title page (dated 1848). "From the Author" appears also on the title page, but does not appear to be in the author Vail's hand. There is a note at the bottom of the title page by Gale's grandson (Clarence Gale Allen) providing page numbers where his grandfather is mentioned in the book. There are also annotations on the cited pages in Clarence Gale Allen's hand.
Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1845. Octavo, three-quarter black morocco over marbled boards; housed in custom presentation box. Rubbing to boards, joints tender (but holding). Text clean. Woodcut engravings thoughout showing schematic drawings of all aspects of telegraphs and the application of Morse Code. Howes V4; Wheeler 1087.
An important association copy of one of the most significant books documenting the history of the telegraph.
Published in 1845, one year following the aforementioned successful telegraphic test, Vail's The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph describes in detail the workings of the device and its applications as well as the history of telegraphy. Containing 81 engravings and several reports of Congress on the subject of electro magnetic telegraphs, this book serves as the earliest, and most complete survey of the work done to that date in the field of telegraphy.
This particular copy belonged to Dr. Leonard D. Gale. Like Vail, Gale's contributions to the success of the telegraph were critical, having worked closely with Morse and Vail on the invention. According to the Library of Congress, Gale was instrumental in pointing out the flaws in Morse's telegraph system and showing him how to boost the strength of the signal and overcome distance problems. Gale is quoted and/or mentioned numerous times in the book.
Gale signed and dated the book twice: once on the front pastedown (dated 1845, the year of publication) and once on the title page (dated 1848). "From the Author" appears also on the title page, but does not appear to be in the author Vail's hand. There is a note at the bottom of the title page by Gale's grandson (Clarence Gale Allen) providing page numbers where his grandfather is mentioned in the book. There are also annotations on the cited pages in Clarence Gale Allen's hand.
Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1845. Octavo, three-quarter black morocco over marbled boards; housed in custom presentation box. Rubbing to boards, joints tender (but holding). Text clean. Woodcut engravings thoughout showing schematic drawings of all aspects of telegraphs and the application of Morse Code. Howes V4; Wheeler 1087.
An important association copy of one of the most significant books documenting the history of the telegraph.
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Details
- Bookseller
- The Manhattan Rare Book Company (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 2745
- Title
- The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph: with the Reports of Congress, and a Description of all Telegraphs Known, employing Electricity or Galvanism
- Author
- VAIL, ALFRED
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Lea & Blanchard
- Place of Publication
- Philidelphia
- Date Published
- 1845
- Keywords
- Telegraph, science, inventions, electricity, first edition, Alfred Vail, Leonard Gale, Samuel Morse
- Bookseller catalogs
- Science & Technology;
Terms of Sale
The Manhattan Rare Book Company
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About the Seller
The Manhattan Rare Book Company
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New York, New York
About The Manhattan Rare Book Company
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Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Association Copy
- An association copy is a copy of a book which has been signed and inscribed by the author for a personal friend, colleague, or...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Device
- Especially for older books, a printer's device refers to an identifying mark, also sometimes called a printer's mark, on the...
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...