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Communications Collection (#9)

"Unveiling the Art of Communications: From Flags to Phones and Beyond" Step into a world where messages transcend time and space

Background imageCommunications Collection: Bermocchi & his wireless 'iconograph', between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Bermocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Francesco de Bernocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915. Wireless icongraph, a sort of early fax machine will transmit messages, sketches, autographs, shorthand

Background imageCommunications Collection: Bermocchi & his wireless 'iconograph', between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Bermocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Francesco de Bernocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915. Wireless icongraph, a sort of early fax machine will transmit messages, sketches, autographs, shorthand

Background imageCommunications Collection: Edward Bannick, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Edward Bannick, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Edward Bannick, between c1910 and c1915.

Background imageCommunications Collection: Signalling from USS Arkansas, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Signalling from USS Arkansas, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Signalling from USS Arkansas, between c1910 and c1915. Shows sailors semaphore flag signalling.

Background imageCommunications Collection: Belgian Signal post, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service

Belgian Signal post, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
Belgian Signal post, between c1915 and 1918. Shows soldiers at a Belgian signal post during World War I.

Background imageCommunications Collection: Geo. J. Meyer, 1916. Creator: Bain News Service

Geo. J. Meyer, 1916. Creator: Bain News Service
Geo. J. Meyer, 1916. Shows George J. Meyer, postmaster of Buffalo, New York, politician and brewery owner; and chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee, 1916.

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the Great Eastern off Brighton on her return home, 1865

The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the Great Eastern off Brighton on her return home, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the Great Eastern off Brighton on her return home - from a sketch by our special artist, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: preparing for the final attempt to grapple the lost cable

The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: preparing for the final attempt to grapple the lost cable, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: preparing for the final attempt to grapple the lost cable - from a sketch by our special artist, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the paying-out machinery of the Great Eastern, 1865

The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the paying-out machinery of the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the paying-out machinery of the Great Eastern - from a sketch by our special artist, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the second buoy...where the cable was grappled, Aug. 8, 1865

The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the second buoy...where the cable was grappled, Aug. 8, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the second buoy, marking the exact place where the cable was grappled, Aug. 8, 1865. 'Our Special Artist has furnished sketches of the two buoys

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the first buoy...where the cable was grappled, Aug. 3, 1865

The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the first buoy...where the cable was grappled, Aug. 3, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Atlantic Telegraph Expedition: the first buoy, marking the supposed place where the cable was grappled, Aug. 3, 1865. 'Our Special Artist has furnished sketches of the two buoys

Background imageCommunications Collection: Meeting of the British Association at Birmingham: the Reception-Room, 1865. Creator: Unknown

Meeting of the British Association at Birmingham: the Reception-Room, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Meeting of the British Association at Birmingham: the Reception-Room, 1865. 'We present [a] view of the interior of the Reception-room (the Exchange Assembly-room, New-street)

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Indo-European Telegraph: Landing The Cable in the mud at Fao, Persian Gulf, 1865

The Indo-European Telegraph: Landing The Cable in the mud at Fao, Persian Gulf, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Indo-European Telegraph: Landing The Cable in the mud at Fao, Persian Gulf, 1865. 'When some four miles of cable had been paid out

Background imageCommunications Collection: Telegraph map of the Eastern World, 1865. Creator: John Dower

Telegraph map of the Eastern World, 1865. Creator: John Dower
Telegraph map of the Eastern World, 1865. Map showing '...the progress of telegraphic communication from England in the directions of India, China

Background imageCommunications Collection: Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865

Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Examining the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, after raising it, on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley '...of the anxious group of men...handling

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Indo-European Telegraph: Mussendom Station, Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, 1865

The Indo-European Telegraph: Mussendom Station, Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Indo-European Telegraph: Mussendom Station, Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, 1865. From a sketch by Lieut. Hewett, of the gun-boat Clyde

Background imageCommunications Collection: The breaking of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown

The breaking of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The breaking of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable on board the Great Eastern, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley. '...the galvanometer detected a flaw of electricity which indicated a

Background imageCommunications Collection: The late Earl Canning, 1862. Creator: Unknown

The late Earl Canning, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The late Earl Canning, 1862. Engraving from a photograph. Charles John Canning held the positions of Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests

Background imageCommunications Collection: Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: Sir Robert Peel addressing bystanders...at Valencia, 1865

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: Sir Robert Peel addressing bystanders...at Valencia, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: Sir Robert Peel addressing the bystanders after the taking of the shore end of the cable to the Telegraph House at Valencia, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Late Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Stewart, Director-General of the Indo-European Telegraph

The Late Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Stewart, Director-General of the Indo-European Telegraph, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Late Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Stewart, Director-General of the Indo-European Telegraph, 1865. Portrait of '...a most able

Background imageCommunications Collection: Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: watching the Caroline going out to sea..., 1865

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: watching the Caroline going out to sea..., 1865. Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: watching the Caroline going out to sea with the shore end of the cable, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley

Background imageCommunications Collection: Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: landing the shore end of the cable...Valencia, 1865

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: landing the shore end of the cable...Valencia, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: landing the shore end of the cable from the Caroline at Foilhommerum, Valencia, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: receiving messages from the Great Eastern...Valencia

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: receiving messages from the Great Eastern...Valencia, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: receiving messages from the Great Eastern in the instrument-room of the Telegraph House at Foilhommerum, Valencia, 1865

Background imageCommunications Collection: Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable:...workmen on the road between Killarney and Valencia

Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable:...workmen on the road between Killarney and Valencia, 1865 Creator: Unknown
Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable: encampment of workmen on the road between Killarney and Valencia, 1865. Engraving from a sketch by Robert Dudley

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Indo-European Telegraph: Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, with a view of the Fort, 1865

The Indo-European Telegraph: Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, with a view of the Fort, 1865. Creator: Unknown
The Indo-European Telegraph: Elphinstone Inlet, Persian Gulf, with a view of the Fort, 1865. From a sketch by Lieut. Hewett, commanding the gun-boat Clyde

Background imageCommunications Collection: Underground works at the junction of Hampstead-Road, Euston-Road, and Tottenham-Court-Road, 1864

Underground works at the junction of Hampstead-Road, Euston-Road, and Tottenham-Court-Road, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Underground works at the junction of Hampstead-Road, Euston-Road, and Tottenham-Court-Road, 1864. View showing '...what extensive subterranean works are being constructed in different parts of

Background imageCommunications Collection: Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B., late Secretary to the Post Office, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson

Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B., late Secretary to the Post Office, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B., late Secretary to the Post Office, 1864. Engraving from a photograph by J. and C. Watkins of '...the author of the Penny Postage...Sir Rowland Hill has lately retired

Background imageCommunications Collection: The wreck of The Bohemian, Montreal Ocean Company's steam-packet, off the coast of Maine, 1864

The wreck of The Bohemian, Montreal Ocean Company's steam-packet, off the coast of Maine, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The wreck of The Bohemian, Montreal Ocean Company's steam-packet, off the coast of Maine, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by Mr

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Old Postman (engraving)

The Old Postman (engraving)
8631966 The Old Postman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Old Postman. Illustration for England's Pioneers)

Background imageCommunications Collection: New Year's greetings (chromolitho)

New Year's greetings (chromolitho)
8656921 New Year's greetings (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: New Year's greetings. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageCommunications Collection: A little line from your Valentine will turn it upside down (colour litho)

A little line from your Valentine will turn it upside down (colour litho)
8656777 A little line from your Valentine will turn it upside down (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: If your face is doleful and inclined to frown)

Background imageCommunications Collection: Do You Know: What is the address HM fleet in foreign waters? (colour litho)

Do You Know: What is the address HM fleet in foreign waters? (colour litho)
8668132 Do You Know: What is the address HM fleet in foreign waters? (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: What is the address HM fleet in foreign waters)

Background imageCommunications Collection: Telegraphing pictures of a football cup final (b/w photo)

Telegraphing pictures of a football cup final (b/w photo)
8626061 Telegraphing pictures of a football cup final (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Telegraphing pictures of a football cup final)

Background imageCommunications Collection: Angels, c1920 (stained glass)

Angels, c1920 (stained glass)
8714218 Angels, c1920 (stained glass) by Mayer, Franz (1848-1926); (add.info.: Stained Glass built 1920s. Glass by Franz Mayer Germany. Angels. Gesu Catholic Church)

Background imageCommunications Collection: Hammond 'Ideal' typewriter with case, by Hammond Typewriter Company Limited, United States

Hammond "Ideal" typewriter with case, by Hammond Typewriter Company Limited, United States, 1884 (typewriter)
AIS5364326 Hammond "Ideal" typewriter with case, by Hammond Typewriter Company Limited, United States, 1884 (typewriter); Science Museum, London

Background imageCommunications Collection: Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph, 1890

Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph, 1890
3479996 Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph, 1890; (add.info.: Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph; the sender; left and receiver, 1890.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCommunications Collection: Wheatstone's Signal electromagnetic telegraph, 1890

Wheatstone's Signal electromagnetic telegraph, 1890
3479994 Wheatstone's Signal electromagnetic telegraph, 1890; (add.info.: Wheatstone's Signal ABC electromagnetic telegraph.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Chappe aerial telegraph, 19th century (engraving)

The Chappe aerial telegraph, 19th century (engraving)
8724002 The Chappe aerial telegraph, 19th century (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Chappe aerial telegraph)

Background imageCommunications Collection: A telegraph cable leading to the Telegraph house in Newfoundland

A telegraph cable leading to the Telegraph house in Newfoundland
5308162 A telegraph cable leading to the Telegraph house in Newfoundland.; (add.info.: Print showing a telegraph cable leading to the Telegraph house, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Dated 19th century)

Background imageCommunications Collection: The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph

The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph
5308160 The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph.; (add.info.: Print depicting the loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph)

Background imageCommunications Collection: The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph

The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph
5308159 The loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph.; (add.info.: Print depicting the loading of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph)

Background imageCommunications Collection: The transportation of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph

The transportation of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph
5308157 The transportation of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph.; (add.info.: Print depicting the transportation of the cables used in the Atlantic Telegraph)

Background imageCommunications Collection: First communication with the Natives of Prince Regents Bay, 1819 (aquatint)

First communication with the Natives of Prince Regents Bay, 1819 (aquatint)
7295570 First communication with the Natives of Prince Regents Bay, 1819 (aquatint) by Sackhouse, John (1797-1819); 29.2x42.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Background imageCommunications Collection: The Sheldrake, a postal service ship, off Falmouth, England, an important centre for navigation to

The Sheldrake, a postal service ship, off Falmouth, England, an important centre for navigation to the west
MMM5466081 The Sheldrake, a postal service ship, off Falmouth, England, an important centre for navigation to the west, surrounds the boats Eclipse and Sandwich ; National Maritime Museum, London

Background imageCommunications Collection: First World War: One of the socialist daily 'Il Popolo d'Italia' founded by Benito Mussolini

First World War: One of the socialist daily "Il Popolo d'Italia" founded by Benito Mussolini
FGL5483267 First World War: One of the socialist daily "Il Popolo d'Italia" founded by Benito Mussolini, announcing the declaration of war by Italy against Austria Hungary

Background imageCommunications Collection: John Rosedale, sailor, visitor guide to Greenwich Hospital lobby (England)

John Rosedale, sailor, visitor guide to Greenwich Hospital lobby (England)
MMM5484551 John Rosedale, sailor, visitor guide to Greenwich Hospital lobby (England) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) (after); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: John Rosedale)

Background imageCommunications Collection: Representation of Greek doctors Hippocrates the Great of Kos (460-370 BC)

Representation of Greek doctors Hippocrates the Great of Kos (460-370 BC) and Claude Galien (131-201 AD)
FGL5483058 Representation of Greek doctors Hippocrates the Great of Kos (460-370 BC) and Claude Galien (131-201 AD) during a conversation

Background imageCommunications Collection: Invade us guys! (colour etching)

Invade us guys! (colour etching)
MMM5481912 Invade us guys! (colour etching) by Nixon, John (1760-1818); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: A young loyalist sailor extolled British virtues and heroism)




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"Unveiling the Art of Communications: From Flags to Phones and Beyond" Step into a world where messages transcend time and space, as we explore the captivating realm of communications. This poster takes us on a journey through various iconic symbols that have shaped our ability to connect with one another. The Night Mail whispers secrets in the darkness, carrying words across vast distances. Just like the flags used at Nelson's famous signal during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, communication has always been vital for success. In wintry London, a Police Public Call Box stands tall amidst snowflakes, reminding us of simpler times when this humble box served as a lifeline for those seeking help or connection. Meanwhile, bookbinding tools from 1875 symbolize how knowledge was meticulously preserved and shared through written word. The flags proudly displayed by the Royal Navy evoke images of bravery and unity—a visual language understood by sailors across oceans. And who can forget the Bakelite telephone? A revolutionary device that brought voices closer together than ever before. High above RAF Chicksands' circular aerial looms large—an emblematic structure representing an era when communication centers were crucial hubs connecting nations and safeguarding information. Across borders in Paris lies The Palace of Versailles—its opulence reflecting not only power but also intricate networks built upon diplomatic exchanges between nations throughout history. Delving deeper into ancient forms of communication, Codex Troano -1 reveals Mayan wisdom etched onto pages—a testament to humanity's enduring quest for understanding each other across cultures and civilizations. A postman gracefully pedaling his Pennyfarthing bicycle transports letters with care—reminding us that even in an age dominated by technology, human touch remains essential in conveying emotions through handwritten words. Bodinnick captures Fowey's charm circa 1930—a picturesque scene where mailboats once sailed along rivers delivering heartfelt messages from loved ones near and far. Finally, the Ms.