Antique Miniature Morse Code Telegraph Key
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1279439 |
Antique Miniature Morse Code Telegraph Key.
This is one of 800 miniature replicas of the J.H. Bunnell Co. key distributed during the dinner for the 25th Anniversary Reunion of the Old Time Telegraphers’ @ Historical Assn. Held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York in 1905.The is clearly stamped with J.H. Bunnell Co N.Y. on the key lever. On the underside of the base is stamped N.Y. 1905 25. ANN. REUNION O.T.T.&H. ASSN.The key is missing it’s spring, a wiring post screw and the con...tact adjustment screw is bent. I have tried my best to capture all the good and bad of this key in the pictures.All other screws and adjustable work including the circuit closer slide. Even with its missing parts I was able to make it work through a code trainer. From Telegraph-History.org”A tiny souvenir telegraph key contained in a cardboard box was handed to each of the guests on the banquet floor. The New York Times reported, "It was the smallest telegraph instrument ever manufactured, a perfect reproduction, in miniature of the regular instrument used in all offices." The key has a nickel-plated lever and the body is finished in French lacquer. It was stated that about 800 keys were handed out that evening. In the days following the banquet at least two telegraphers actually used the key in service to prove that it was indeed a working miniature. One was Fred Catlin, a winner of various telegraph tournaments. Catlin is best remembered today for developing the "Catlin grip, " the preferred method of sending with a straight key. He sent a message via San Francisco as follows: "This message of greeting and congratulation on the success of the grandest of the Old Timers' reunions is sent direct across the continent with one of the beautiful souvenir keys which were presented to our members at the Waldorf banquet. None disputes its beauty and none shall doubt its utility." Although in another message he sent "...it is a perfect working key, though a trifle small for tournament work." “
This is an excellent buy for a collector or Morse key aficionado.Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
This is one of 800 miniature replicas of the J.H. Bunnell Co. key distributed during the dinner for the 25th Anniversary Reunion of the Old Time Telegraphers’ @ Historical Assn. Held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York in 1905.The is clearly stamped with J.H. Bunnell Co N.Y. on the key lever. On the underside of the base is stamped N.Y. 1905 25. ANN. REUNION O.T.T.&H. ASSN.The key is missing it’s spring, a wiring post screw and the con...tact adjustment screw is bent. I have tried my best to capture all the good and bad of this key in the pictures.All other screws and adjustable work including the circuit closer slide. Even with its missing parts I was able to make it work through a code trainer. From Telegraph-History.org”A tiny souvenir telegraph key contained in a cardboard box was handed to each of the guests on the banquet floor. The New York Times reported, "It was the smallest telegraph instrument ever manufactured, a perfect reproduction, in miniature of the regular instrument used in all offices." The key has a nickel-plated lever and the body is finished in French lacquer. It was stated that about 800 keys were handed out that evening. In the days following the banquet at least two telegraphers actually used the key in service to prove that it was indeed a working miniature. One was Fred Catlin, a winner of various telegraph tournaments. Catlin is best remembered today for developing the "Catlin grip, " the preferred method of sending with a straight key. He sent a message via San Francisco as follows: "This message of greeting and congratulation on the success of the grandest of the Old Timers' reunions is sent direct across the continent with one of the beautiful souvenir keys which were presented to our members at the Waldorf banquet. None disputes its beauty and none shall doubt its utility." Although in another message he sent "...it is a perfect working key, though a trifle small for tournament work." “
This is an excellent buy for a collector or Morse key aficionado.Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
