Tiffany & Co. 1858 Transatlantic Telegraph Cable - Cyrus Field With Certificate
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:108161 |
The completion of the first transatlantic telegraph cable in1858 was a cause for much celebration on both sides of the Atlantic. Tiffany& Company of New York purchased the cable remaining on board the USS Niagaraafter the successful completion of the cable and sold 4-inch sections assouvenirs. Each section of cable was banded at the ends with brass ferrules andhad a brass plaque that read “ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLE/GUARANTEED BY/TIFFANY& CO./ BROADWAY • NEW YORK • 1858....” The cable souvenirs originally sold for50 cents and came with a reproduced letter of authenticity from Cyrus W. Field, the pioneer of the transatlantic cable system. The jubilation turned to jeerswhen the cable failed a few weeks later, and Tiffany never sold its supply ofcable. In 1974 Lanello Reserves began reselling the transatlantic cable, anddonated this object to the Smithsonian.
Date made: 1858Maker: Glass, Elliot, & Co. - Tiffany & Co.Place made: United States: New York - United Kingdom: England, London, Greenwich
Physical Description:steel (sheathing material) brass (ferrules material) copper (conductor material) gutta percha (insulator material) Measurements: 4 in x 1/2 in; 10.16 cm x 1.27 cm
You are bidding for one cable and certificate. Selection will be a true random grab. I can lightly clean if requested, 5 minutes and some brass polish and steel wool restores any condition to display quality but I know many out there find it sacrilege to remove the natural patina or would rather do it themselves.
