Communications

Tools of communication have transformed American society time and again over the past two centuries. The Museum has preserved many instruments of these changes, from printing presses to personal digital assistants.

The collections include hundreds of artifacts from the printing trade and related fields, including papermaking equipment, wood and metal type collections, bookbinding tools, and typesetting machines. Benjamin Franklin is said to have used one of the printing presses in the collection in 1726.

More than 7,000 objects chart the evolution of electronic communications, including the original telegraph of Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell's early telephones. Radios, televisions, tape recorders, and the tools of the computer age are part of the collections, along with wireless phones and a satellite tracking system.

This American common press was made by Francis Shield in about 1811. The press included an American open hose, a platen attached by hose bolts and faced with iron. It includes is original tympan and frisket, but its plank was repaired in the Museum.
Description (Brief)
This American common press was made by Francis Shield in about 1811. The press included an American open hose, a platen attached by hose bolts and faced with iron. It includes is original tympan and frisket, but its plank was repaired in the Museum. It is marked on the hose “F SHIELD.” The press has a height of 75 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 29.5 inches, and a length of 70 inches. The platen measures 12.5 inches by 18 inches.
The press was made by Francis Shield, a Londoner, who set
up his press-building factory in New York in 1811 soon after
arriving in the country. In England Shield had built iron Stanhope
presses. Here, he produced a press that is typically American in
style, with open hose and heavy simple timbers instead of the box
hose and lighter timbers of English presses. This may be the press
that he made for the Long Island Star—one of the first two presses
that he built in the United States.
The press arrived at the Museum with an unusual “stone,” or type
bed seated in plaster, which was a cast-iron plate measuring 20 inches by 26.25 inches. The bed was one inch thick and it included a raised iron box in the center. It was evidently a late addition recycled from some other kind of apparatus, that was probably not a printing press. The plate has been removed.
Donated by the Friends of Long Island’s Heritage, 1987
Citations: Philip Gaskell, “A Census of Wooden Presses,” in
Journal of the Printing Historical Society 6, 1970 (census no.
17, p. 31); Elizabeth Harris, “The American Common Press,” p.
46, in Journal of the Printing Historical Society no. 8, 1978; Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
circa 1811
date made
ca 1811
maker
Shield, Francis
ID Number
1987.0471.01
accession number
1987.0471
catalog number
1987.0471.01
Minna Citron (1896-1991) was an American printmaker, whose style dramatically transformed from representational to abstract art in the 1940s.
Description (Brief)
Minna Citron (1896-1991) was an American printmaker, whose style dramatically transformed from representational to abstract art in the 1940s. She became a member of Atelier 17, a renowned avant-garde print studio in New York, and was known for her experimental printmaking techniques.
"Slip Stream" is an etching and aquatint printed in 1956. The creation of "Slip Stream" and similar prints, collectively known as the series "The Uncharted Course," grew out of Citron's interest in the relationship between spontaneity and control. She embraced the inherent mishaps of printmaking and found inspiration in the accidental forms they produced. This is an example of the first state of the etching in blue.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1956
maker
Citron, Minna
ID Number
GA.21149
catalog number
21149
accession number
240678
Minna Citron (1896-1991) was an American printmaker, whose style dramatically transformed from representational to abstract art in the 1940s.
Description (Brief)
Minna Citron (1896-1991) was an American printmaker, whose style dramatically transformed from representational to abstract art in the 1940s. She became a member of Atelier 17, a renowned avant-garde print studio in New York, and was known for her experimental printmaking techniques.
"Slip Stream" is an etching and aquatint printed in 1956. The creation of "Slip Stream" and similar prints, collectively known as the series "The Uncharted Course," grew out of Citron's interest in the relationship between spontaneity and control. She embraced the inherent mishaps of printmaking and found inspiration in the accidental forms they produced. This is an example of the second state of the etching in green.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1956
original artist
Citron, Minna
ID Number
GA.21150
catalog number
21150
accession number
240678
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865. Its chase is missing; its platen measures 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches.Donated by Franklin L.
Description (Brief)
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865. Its chase is missing; its platen measures 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches.
Donated by Franklin L. Thatcher, 1963
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1865
date made
ca 1865
maker
Gordon, George P.
ID Number
GA.21747
accession number
253742
catalog number
21747
This engraved woodblock of "Marble Canyon” was prepared by engraver Edward Bookhout (1844-1886) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 26 (p.77) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tribu
Description
This engraved woodblock of "Marble Canyon” was prepared by engraver Edward Bookhout (1844-1886) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 as Figure 26 (p.77) in Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). Thomas Moran (1837-1926) accompanied Powell on his expedition and drew the original image.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
original artist
Moran, Thomas
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Bookhout, Edward
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0259
catalog number
1980.0219.0259
accession number
1980.0219
This iron tabletop card press was probably made by R. Hoe & Company of New York after 1848.
Description (Brief)
This iron tabletop card press was probably made by R. Hoe & Company of New York after 1848. The press has a height of 17 inches a width of 24 inches and a length of 29 inches; its chase measures 5 inches by 6.5 inches.
William Smith patented this press for card and label printing in 1842. The patent rights were acquired by the Hoe Company in 1848. In original form the press was self-inking, and had an automatic card drop.
The early history of this specimen is unknown. It came to the Museum under the name “Star card press.”
Purchased from John A. Lant, 1901.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1848
maker
R. Hoe & Company
ID Number
GA.09289
accession number
36751
catalog number
9289
This engraved woodblock of “Climbing the Grand Canyon” was prepared by F. S.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Climbing the Grand Canyon” was prepared by F. S. King and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1875 on page 98 of John Wesley Powell's Report of the Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries. Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Thomas Moran (1837-1926) was the original artist.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Powell, John Wesley
original artist
Moran, Thomas
graphic artist
King, Francis Scott
maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0474
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0474
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332212
accession number
294351
catalog number
332212
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1865
maker
Chester, Charles T.
ID Number
EM.231782.1
catalog number
231782.1
accession number
43532
This engraved woodblock of an “Australian grave and carved trees” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 37 (p.76) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a pr
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Australian grave and carved trees” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 37 (p.76) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” in the Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1882-83.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1206
catalog number
1980.0219.1206
accession number
1980.0219
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. The pulses energize the sounder’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm. The arm makes a loud “click” when it strikes a crossbar and the operator translates the pattern of sounds into the original language. A resonator like this was used to amplify the sound, making it easier for an operator to hear his or her own sounder when working in a room filled with these devices.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
EM.331000
accession number
294351
collector/donor number
100-433
catalog number
331000
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332208
model number
368-A
accession number
294351
catalog number
332208
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865.
Description (Brief)
This old-style platen jobber was made by George P. Gordon of New York in about 1865. The chase is missing; its platen measures 7.5 inches by 13.5 inches.
The intermediate-style press has a gate, but no throw-off lever.
Donated by the Wesley Krebeck family, 1973
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
circa 1865
date made
ca 1865
ca 1863
maker
Gordon, George P.
ID Number
GA.23274
accession number
296421
catalog number
GA*23274
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.0093.10
accession number
2012.0093
catalog number
2012.0093.10
This engraved woodblock of a “Haida totem post” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 24 (p.68) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” i
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Haida totem post” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 24 (p.68) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Pictographs of the North American Indians: a preliminary paper” in the Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1882-83.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1509
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.1509
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. The pulses energize the sounder’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm. The arm makes a loud “click” when it strikes a crossbar and the operator translates the pattern of sounds into the original language. This sounder is rated at a resistance of 50 ohms.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332189
collector/donor number
06-14
accession number
294351
catalog number
332189
This engraved woodblock of the “Bird’s-eye view of cliffs of erosion” was prepared and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 74 (p.162) in The Exploration of the Colorado River of the West by John Wesley Powell (1
Description
This engraved woodblock of the “Bird’s-eye view of cliffs of erosion” was prepared and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published in 1875 as Figure 74 (p.162) in The Exploration of the Colorado River of the West by John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) engraved the illustration which “depicts the Shin-ar’-ump Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs, and Gray Cliffs, in order from right to left.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
1875
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
author
Powell, John Wesley
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1562
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.1562
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332204
accession number
294351
catalog number
332204
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. The pulses energize the sounder’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm. The arm makes a loud “click” when it strikes a crossbar and the operator translates the pattern of sounds into the original language. According to a Western Union tag, this sounder was used on the Chicago, Kansas and Western Railroad. W. T. Baker of Western Union's New York repair shop sent the sounder to the company museum in 1937.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332363
accession number
294351
catalog number
332363
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332326
model number
368-A
accession number
294351
catalog number
332326
This press was made by A. B. Taylor of New York in about 1860. The tympan and frisket were made in the Museum.
Description (Brief)
This press was made by A. B. Taylor of New York in about 1860. The tympan and frisket were made in the Museum. The press has a height of 77 inches a width, at cheeks, of 38 inches and a length of 88 inches; its platen measures 25 inches by 39 inches.
Alva Burr Taylor, a blacksmith by trade, worked with the R. Hoe & Company of New York from 1822 until 1842 when he formed his own company. Taylor produced cylinder presses, Washington presses,
and a few jobbing presses, as well as steam engines.
The oval ornament on this press, an eagle with drums and banners, is found in combination with other ornaments on presses made by various manufacturers, such as the Cinncinati Type Foundry (CTF) Washington press (see 1978.2124.01).
Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hennage, 1969.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
circa 1860
date made
ca 1860
maker
Taylor, Alva Burr
ID Number
GA.23008
catalog number
GA*23008
accession number
285336
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.332328
model number
368-B
accession number
294351
catalog number
332328
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866
graphic artist
Harper & Brothers
original artist
Waud, A. R.
ID Number
GA.311495.02
accession number
311495
catalog number
311495.02
This full-size working replica of the 'Franklin' Press was made by ClintonSisson in 1984.The press was made for the exhibition “After the Revolution: Everyday Life in America 1780-1800,” in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, 1985.Purchased from Sisson, Foss &
Description (Brief)
This full-size working replica of the 'Franklin' Press was made by Clinton
Sisson in 1984.
The press was made for the exhibition “After the Revolution: Everyday Life in America 1780-1800,” in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, 1985.
Purchased from Sisson, Foss & Co., 1985.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
maker
Sisson, Clinton
ID Number
1985.0717.01
accession number
1985.0717
catalog number
1985.0717.01

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