Communication

In 1854 a Canadian engineer interested Cyrus Field in laying a cable from St. John's, Newfoundland, to the Canadian mainland. This would speed receipt of European news by several days. While studying a globe, Field decided the cable should be extended to Ireland. Laying the Canadian cable took two and a half years. By that time Field had organized companies in the United States and Great Britain to raise funds for an Atlantic cable between the two countries. The first four cables broke, causing heavy losses to investors. The fifth was completed on Aug. 5, 1858. On August 15 Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan exchanged messages on the new cable. Soon, however, the signals became unintelligible, and in October they ceased. Undeterred, Field raised additional funds. After another failure in 1865, the fight was finally won on July 27, 1866.

THE OCEAN TELEGRAPH MARCH. Sheet music. 13" x 10". 1858. 5pp Complete. Good graphic lithograph cover w/ portrait of Field, cable and ships. From bound volume, trimmed top and bottom, foxing , moderate wear. (Jb. 511); $85.

1889 TELEPHONE SHEET MUSIC. Kissing Papa Though the Telephone. Sheet music. 13 1/2" x 10 3/4" Very good graphic of early telephone. Soiling, stains, small unobtrusive whole in background, inside edge has old reinforcement. (Jb.509); $100.

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