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Segment of the original transatlantic cable

This piece of cable is an original portion of the cable which connected for the first time Europe and America in 1858. It represents a pivotal point in the history of telecommunications.

It may not be a rare item but it is part of an incredible story. It is a story of grand plans, human folly and triumph, advances in technology and communication.

News of the success resulted in major celebrations and souvenirs found a keen and enthusiastic market. Remainders of the cable from the …

Parts of this object

B2158-1 Section of Transatlantic telegraph cable, and presentation box, copper / brass / wood, made by Glass, Elliot & Co, Greenwich, London, England / Tiffany & Co, New York, New York, United States of America, 1858
Section of Transatlantic telegraph cable
1858
B2158-3 Letter of authenticity, for length of Transatlantic telegraph cable, paper, signed by Cyrus W Field, for Tiffany & Co, New York, United States of America, 21 August 1858
Letter of authenticity for Transatlantic telegraph cable
1858

Summary

Object No.

B2158

Object Statement

Section of original Transatlantic telegraph cable with presentation box, copy of certificate of authenticity and paperback book, copper / brass / wood / paper, made by Glass, Elliot & Co, Greenwich, London, England / Tiffany & Co, New York, New York, United States of America, 1858

Physical Description

A section of cable, comprising a series of interlaced metal cables with copper core and insulation which are brass bound at the ends and in the middle. The middle brass ring is engraved with the following 'ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLE / ...GUARANTEED BY... / TIFFANY & CO. / BROADWAY. NEW YORK. 1858'.

A rectangular, wooden presentation box comprising a base and slide-on lid which features the following text 'ORIGINAL TRANSATLANTIC CABLE / 1858 / GUARANTEED BY / Tiffany & Co.'

A single piece of paper certifying the authenticity of the Transatlantic telegraph cable. The letter is dated 21 August 1858 and is signed by Cyrus W. Field. The bottom of the letter is marked with the following 'Entd according to Act of Congress AD 1858 by Tiffany & Co in the Clks Offc of the dist Ct of the Sth dist of N.Y.'

Short URL

https://ma.as/211161

Source

Credit Line

Gift of Silver Creations Ltd, 1974

Acquisition Date

26 September 1974

Cite this Object

Harvard

Segment of the original transatlantic cable 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 31 March 2023, <https://ma.as/211161>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/211161 |title=Segment of the original transatlantic cable |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=31 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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