Description:

Morse, Samuel F. B. (1791-1872) Telegraph inventor Samuel Morse honors an autograph request; offered with an 1841 receipt for supplies for the first operational electromagnetic telegraph, docketed by the great inventor

Autograph Note Signed, "Saml. F. B. Morse," 1 page 4.5" x 7", New York, December 11, 1860 to W. C. Jones, of Clinton, New York apparently honoring an autograph request. Horizontal folds, one of which is partially separated at the left margin, a 4.5" x 2.5" piece of blue paper has been affixed to verso to add stability, very light scattered foxing, else very good with a beautiful example of Morse's distinctive signature.

Morse writes, in full: "Sir, This is for your friend in compliance with your request."

Offered together with an Autograph Endorsement accomplished on the docket of a manuscript Document Signed, "George Collard," 1 page, 7.5" x 2.75", Washington, January 15, 1844, being a receipt for $13.88 worth of lumber intended for use in construction of the first operational telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore.

Morse dockets the receipt: "Voucher No. 446 Geo. Collard lumber $13.88 Jany. 15, 1844". The receipt reads, in full: "Washington Jany 15, 1844 United States by Professor S. F. B. Morse Sup't. 881 fe[et?]. 6/4 W. pine @ 1 1/4 11.01 100 f 4/4 1 1/4 1.25 144 stud 1 1/8 1.62 Rcpt $13.88 George Collard."

Although the U.S. Treasury had appropriated funds for the construction of the first telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington under the supervision of Morse, and granted him the grand title "Superintendent of the Electrical Magnetic Telegraph," Morse was required to keep rigorous accounts of his disbursements for materials.

In his 1837 proposal for the telegraph, Morse had considered running the telegraph cable overhead on poles or underground. By the time construction was authorized, he elected the latter method, for reasons of cost. It was Morse's idea to protect his fragile copper telegraph cable by running it through protective lead pipe, half an inch in diameter. After bids were taken, he contracted with James E. Serrell to deliver the necessary quantity. But by Fall of 1843, as the line progressed, Serrell could not produce pipe quickly enough, and encountered problems with its manufacture. The exasperated Morse revoked the contract and hired Tatham & Bros. of New York, but they too, experienced serious problems with the process. In light of difficulties with the pipe, Morse decided to abandon the underground wire plan and turned to stringing his wire on poles, which would ultimately prove successful.

On 24 May 1844, tapping a key in his Washington D.C. terminus, Morse transmitted the first message over the new line, the now famous words "What hath God wrought."

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