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Telegraph Collection (#6)

"Connecting the World: The Telegraph's Timeless Legacy" Main Street, Salisbury, North Carolina, USA - where the telegraph brought news from afar to this bustling town

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Railways and telegraphs of the world, the creation of the nineteenth century (colour litho)

Railways and telegraphs of the world, the creation of the nineteenth century (colour litho)
8634778 Railways and telegraphs of the world, the creation of the nineteenth century (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph, 1879

Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph, 1879
3479997 Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph, 1879; (add.info.: Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph; General Post Office; St)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: An engraving depicting soldiers running out the wire of Trove's military telegraph, 19th century

An engraving depicting soldiers running out the wire of Trove's military telegraph, 19th century
5310693 An engraving depicting soldiers running out the wire of Trove's military telegraph, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1883); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph

Operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph
5311941 Operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph; (add.info.: Engraving depicting operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph at the General Post Office)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Illustration showing a Mance Heliograph, a wireless solar telegraph that signals by flashes of

Illustration showing a Mance Heliograph, a wireless solar telegraph that signals by flashes of sunlight
5311590 Illustration showing a Mance Heliograph, a wireless solar telegraph that signals by flashes of sunlight (generally using Morse code) reflected by a mirror

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke

Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke
5311588 Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph was an early electrical telegraph system dating from the 1830s invented by English

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's double-needle telegraph. The Cooke

Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's double-needle telegraph. The Cooke
5311520 Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's double-needle telegraph. The Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph was an early electrical telegraph system dating from the 1830s invented by English

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke

Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke
5311519 Illustration showing Cooke and Wheatstone's single-needle telegraph. The Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph was an early electrical telegraph system dating from the 1830s invented by English

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Lord Kelvin receiving Transatlantic telegraph, apparatus in use

Lord Kelvin receiving Transatlantic telegraph, apparatus in use
5311729 Lord Kelvin receiving Transatlantic telegraph, apparatus in use; (add.info.: Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) receiving Transatlantic telegraph, apparatus in use at Brest, France 1877

Background imageTelegraph Collection: An engraving depicting the mechanism of Foy and Breguet's needle-telegraph, 19th century

An engraving depicting the mechanism of Foy and Breguet's needle-telegraph, 19th century
5311342 An engraving depicting the mechanism of Foy and Breguet's needle-telegraph, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1891); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: A cartoon commenting on the publication of a report of the Royal Commission on Telegraphic

A cartoon commenting on the publication of a report of the Royal Commission on Telegraphic Communication between
5311291 A cartoon commenting on the publication of a report of the Royal Commission on Telegraphic Communication between lighthouses and lightships and the shore

Background imageTelegraph Collection: An engraving depicting a double-needle telegraph used in the House of Parliament

An engraving depicting a double-needle telegraph used in the House of Parliament
5311158 An engraving depicting a double-needle telegraph used in the House of Parliament. The letters of the alphabet and a variety of conventional signals indicated by single

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Engraving depicting Charles Wheatstone's relay, which enabled the electric telegraph to be used

Engraving depicting Charles Wheatstone's relay, which enabled the electric telegraph to be used over long distances
5309438 Engraving depicting Charles Wheatstone's relay, which enabled the electric telegraph to be used over long distances; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Charles Wheatstone's relay)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Load mat (crane) placing a pallet shaft, equipment for the deroulement of the Atlantic cable

Load mat (crane) placing a pallet shaft, equipment for the deroulement of the Atlantic cable
NWI4962808 Load mat (crane) placing a pallet shaft, equipment for the deroulement of the Atlantic cable, on the deck of the steamboat Great Eastern, England, circa 1850

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Electric telegraph with two magnetic needles by William Cooke (1806-1879)

Electric telegraph with two magnetic needles by William Cooke (1806-1879) and Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875) of 1842
JAB4121534 Electric telegraph with two magnetic needles by William Cooke (1806-1879) and Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875) of 1842

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Telegraph receiver with a drypoint by Samuel MORSE (1891-1872) from 1832

Telegraph receiver with a drypoint by Samuel MORSE (1891-1872) from 1832
JAB4121523 Telegraph receiver with a drypoint by Samuel MORSE (1891-1872) from 1832.; (add.info.: Telegraph receiver with a drypoint by Samuel MORSE (1891-1872) from 1832.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Background imageTelegraph Collection: A young woman dressed elegantly, sitting on a miniature mill presents a telegram

A young woman dressed elegantly, sitting on a miniature mill presents a telegram
JAB5037066 A young woman dressed elegantly, sitting on a miniature mill presents a telegram. Postcard from the beginning of the 20th century.; (add.info.: A young woman dressed elegantly)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving)

An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving)
5616546 An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving); (add.info.: Claude Chappe (1763-1805) a French inventor.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving)

An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving)
5616545 An invention by Claude Chappe, 1790 (engraving); (add.info.: Claude Chappe (1763-1805) a French inventor); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The system of signalling by flag semaphore

The system of signalling by flag semaphore
5616527 The system of signalling by flag semaphore; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the system of signaling by flag semaphore the telegraphy system)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The system of signalling by flag semaphore

The system of signalling by flag semaphore
5616525 The system of signalling by flag semaphore; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the system of signaling by flag semaphore the telegraphy system)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: French military signals

French military signals
5616521 French military signals; (add.info.: Illustration depicting French military signals using an optical field telegraph. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1885); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: A Transatlantic Liner

A Transatlantic Liner
5616520 A Transatlantic Liner; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a Transatlantic Liner, equipped to communicate via telegraph. Dated 19th Century. 01/01/1890); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Map of Turkey showing telegraph cables and stations, 1881 (lithograph)

Map of Turkey showing telegraph cables and stations, 1881 (lithograph)
7339370 Map of Turkey showing telegraph cables and stations, 1881 (lithograph) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); 65x91 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Signalling apparatus for Joseph Henry's telegraph, the first electromagnetic telegraph, 1832

Signalling apparatus for Joseph Henry's telegraph, the first electromagnetic telegraph, 1832
NWI4954329 Signalling apparatus for Joseph Henry's telegraph, the first electromagnetic telegraph, 1832. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: First World War: Luneville, Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Lorraine, France

First World War: Luneville, Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Lorraine, France, Poster photograph prohibiting the ripping of
LUX4734313 First World War: Luneville, Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Lorraine, France, Poster photograph prohibiting the ripping of posters and the damaging of telegraphic services

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Telegraph equipment, alphabet, and machinery. 19th century communication technology

Telegraph equipment, alphabet, and machinery. 19th century communication technology. Copperplate engraving by W
FLO4593048 Telegraph equipment, alphabet, and machinery. 19th century communication technology. Copperplate engraving by W. Lowry after an Illustration by J

Background imageTelegraph Collection: History of the West Conquete settlers: American pioneers. Pony Express rider saluting the workers

History of the West Conquete settlers: American pioneers. Pony Express rider saluting the workers setting up telegraph
NWI4885559 History of the West Conquete settlers: American pioneers. Pony Express rider saluting the workers setting up telegraph poles

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Telegraph cable linking Britain and her colony India, 1850

Telegraph cable linking Britain and her colony India, 1850
3479166 Telegraph cable linking Britain and her colony India, 1850; (add.info.: The telegraph cable linking Britain and her colony India is depicted as a conversation between John Bull and Britannia)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Magneto-eclectic telegraph, 1850

Magneto-eclectic telegraph, 1850
3479162 Magneto-eclectic telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Making the submarine magneto-eclectic telegraph between Britain and Ireland. Circa 1850.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Telegraph clerk receiving a message on a Morse sounding telegraph, 1891

Telegraph clerk receiving a message on a Morse sounding telegraph, 1891
3479942 Telegraph clerk receiving a message on a Morse sounding telegraph, 1891; (add.info.: Telegraph clerk receiving a message on a Morse sounding telegraph)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Pneumatically operated perforating machine for Morse electric telegraphs: used by the GPO, 1890

Pneumatically operated perforating machine for Morse electric telegraphs: used by the GPO, 1890
3479935 Pneumatically operated perforating machine for Morse electric telegraphs: used by the GPO, 1890; (add.info.: Pneumatically operated perforating machine for Morse electric telegraphs)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Prussians listening to French telegraph traffic, 1870

Prussians listening to French telegraph traffic, 1870
3479641 Prussians listening to French telegraph traffic, 1870; (add.info.: Prussians listening to French telegraph traffic; Franco-Prussian war, 1870.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: A teleprinter in use at the New York Stock Exchange and Edison instrument, 1885

A teleprinter in use at the New York Stock Exchange and Edison instrument, 1885
3479638 A teleprinter in use at the New York Stock Exchange and Edison instrument, 1885; (add.info.: A teleprinter in use at the New York Stock Exchange and Edison instrument; 1885)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Electric printing telegraph invented by Hughes, 1863

Electric printing telegraph invented by Hughes, 1863
3479635 Electric printing telegraph invented by Hughes, 1863; (add.info.: Electric printing telegraph invented by Hughes, who at first found no market for it in England)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria, 1868

The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria, 1868
3479552 The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria, 1868; (add.info.: The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Landing the submarine telegraph cable, 1869

Landing the submarine telegraph cable, 1869
3479168 Landing the submarine telegraph cable, 1869; (add.info.: Landing the submarine telegraph cable at St Mary's Isles of Scilly. The cables was from Lands End, Cornwall, to St Mary's)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Bakewell's copying telegraph, 1850

Bakewell's copying telegraph, 1850
3480049 Bakewell's copying telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Bakewell's copying telegraph, 1850.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Central Telegraph Establishment, 1874

Central Telegraph Establishment, 1874
3480043 Central Telegraph Establishment, 1874; (add.info.: Central Telegraph Establishment; London; showing various instruments in use, 1874.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Relay for electric telegraph, 1896

Relay for electric telegraph, 1896
3480033 Relay for electric telegraph, 1896; (add.info.: Relay for electric telegraph, 1896.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Transmitter of early model of Breguet dial telegraph, 1874

Transmitter of early model of Breguet dial telegraph, 1874
3480027 Transmitter of early model of Breguet dial telegraph, 1874; (add.info.: Transmitter of early model of Breguet dial telegraph, 1874.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Varley's improved form of vacuum lightning protector for telegraphs, 1882

Varley's improved form of vacuum lightning protector for telegraphs, 1882
3480017 Varley's improved form of vacuum lightning protector for telegraphs, 1882; (add.info.: Varley's improved form of vacuum lightning protector for telegraphs)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888

Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888
3480000 Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888; (add.info.: Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand; London)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Jacob Brett's electric printing telegraph, 1845

Jacob Brett's electric printing telegraph, 1845
3479966 Jacob Brett's electric printing telegraph, 1845; (add.info.: Jacob Brett's electric printing telegraph, patented in 1845.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageTelegraph Collection: Electromagnetic printing telegraph, 1850

Electromagnetic printing telegraph, 1850
3479959 Electromagnetic printing telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Electromagnetic printing telegraph invented by Alexander Bain, exhibited at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The Great Eastern used during the creation of the Atlantic Telegraph, 1850

The Great Eastern used during the creation of the Atlantic Telegraph, 1850
3330907 The Great Eastern used during the creation of the Atlantic Telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the Great Eastern used during the creation of the Atlantic Telegraph)

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The making of the steel cables on board the Great Eastern, 1850

The making of the steel cables on board the Great Eastern, 1850
3330601 The making of the steel cables on board the Great Eastern, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the making of the steel cables on board the Great Eastern')

Background imageTelegraph Collection: The HMS Agamemnon, 1850

The HMS Agamemnon, 1850
3330598 The HMS Agamemnon, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the HMS Agamemnon after laying down the cable for the Atlantic Telegraph. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG




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"Connecting the World: The Telegraph's Timeless Legacy" Main Street, Salisbury, North Carolina, USA - where the telegraph brought news from afar to this bustling town. Step into the printing room of the Daily Telegraph in 1900 and witness the birth of mass communication. Discover the grand entrance to Cal-Neva Lodge in Nevada, USA - a place where telegrams carried messages of excitement and anticipation. Bank and shops in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA - witness how telegraph lines transformed commerce and connected businesses across states. Travel back to the 1890s with an advert for Camp Coffee - a product that reached households through telegraphic promotions. Experience the hustle and bustle at Kings Cross station in London during British Railways' golden era (c1949-1950) when telegraphs kept trains on track. Unveil history through front pages of Daily Telegraph during WW1 (1914, 1918, and 1919), showcasing how vital telegraphs were for reporting war updates. Station Road in New Milton, Hampshire takes you on a journey down memory lane as you imagine telegram deliveries shaping local lives. Witness greatness as Great Eastern lays transatlantic telegraph cables – connecting continents like never before. Meet trailblazing women like our female telegraph operator from 1910 who shattered gender norms while transmitting important messages worldwide. Stand tall beside Orford Ness Lighthouse in Suffolk – guarding against maritime perils while serving as a beacon for crucial coastal communications via telegram. Early fire brigade street alarm reminds us how rapid communication through telegraphs saved lives by summoning help swiftly when disaster struck. In every corner of the world—from small towns like Salisbury to bustling metropolises—telegraphs have left an indelible mark on human history by bridging distances, connecting people, and shaping the way we communicate.