Description:

Morse Samuel

Samuel Morse Letter Tipped into Autograph "Bible", Madigan's Word Shadows

 

A limited Collectors' Edition hardcover copy of Thomas F. Madigan's Word Shadows of the Great: The Lure of Autograph Collecting (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1930), #280 of 300, in which a letter, fully engrossed and signed by Samuel F.B. Morse, is tipped into one of the front loose endpapers. Morse's 25+ word note to his postmaster is undated, and reads in part: "Please send any letters or papers for me by the bearer, in box 141." It is beautifully signed by Morse as "Sam: F: B: Morse" at lower right. The half paper sheet is hinged at top. Expected light paper folds, including a vertical one affecting the "m" of "Sam." Else near fine. The tipped in letter measures 7.5" x 5.5".

 

Madigan's Word Shadows has been considered an authoritative volume on autograph collecting for almost 100 years. The collectors' edition page of this volume has also been signed by the author as "Ths. F. Madigan" at top. The book has cream boards and a gilt-embossed spine, and it is housed in a custom cardboard slip cover case. Light overall toning to the deckled pages, but otherwise clean and crisp. A few chips to the top of the spine, and minor damage at bottom where the spine intersects with the front cover. The case shows moderate wear and tear, with isolated staining and separating edges. Else very good to near fine. 300pp. 8vo.

 

Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) was inspired to invent a more immediate form of communication than letter-writing after his wife died in childbirth. Over the next twenty years, Morse focused on researching and financing what would eventually become the single-wire telegraph and Morse code. Morse's first message "What hath God wrought" was transmitted over 38 miles of experimental cable between Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland in May 1844. He received his telegraph patent three years later.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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February 26, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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