Communications

WANN Microphone

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.

Place: New York

Engraved woodblock of the "Workshop of a Navajo Silversmith"

This engraved woodblock of the “Workshop of a Navajo Silversmith” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XVII (p.175) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of the “Workshop of a Navajo Silversmith” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XVII (p.175) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Silversmiths” in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1880-81.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
author
Matthews, Washington
printer
Government Printing Office
ID Number
1980.0219.1428
catalog number
1980.0219.1428
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Dancer 'swallowing' the great plumed arrow"

This engraved woodblock of a “Dancer ‘swallowing’ the great plumed arrow” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 55 (p.434) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Dancer ‘swallowing’ the great plumed arrow” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 55 (p.434) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “The Mountain Chant: a Navajo ceremony” in the Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1883-84.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1887
block maker
A.P.J. & Co.
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
author
Matthews, Washington
ID Number
1980.0219.1112
catalog number
1980.0219.1112
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Scalloped shell disk"

This engraved woodblock of a “Scalloped shell disk” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate LIV (p.274) in an article by William Henry Holmes (18461933) entitled “Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans” in the Second Ann
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Scalloped shell disk” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate LIV (p.274) in an article by William Henry Holmes (18461933) entitled “Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans” in the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1880-81. The disk was found in Nashville, Tennessee by Major John Wesley Powell. In a footnote to his article, Holmes identifies “Kate C. Osgood” as an accompanying artist on this expedition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
author
Holmes, William Henry
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
ID Number
1980.0219.1274
catalog number
1980.0219.1274
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of "Bringing down the batten"

This engraved woodblock of “Bringing down the batten” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXVIII (p.390) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Bringing down the batten” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXVIII (p.390) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Matthews, Washington
Powell, John Wesley
block maker
A. P. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1365
catalog number
1980.0219.1365
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of "Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals"

This engraved woodblock of “Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXV (p.380) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of “Weaving diamond-shaped diagonals” was prepared, after a photograph, by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XXXV (p.380) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Matthews, Washington
block maker
W. T. & B.
ID Number
1980.0219.1359
catalog number
1980.0219.1359
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of the "Moki method of dressing hair"

This engraved woodblock of a “Moki method of dressing hair” was prepared, after a photograph, by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XLIII (p.583) in an article by James Stevenson (1840-1888) en
Description
This engraved woodblock of a “Moki method of dressing hair” was prepared, after a photograph, by Henry Hobart Nichols (1838-1887) and the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Plate XLIII (p.583) in an article by James Stevenson (1840-1888) entitled “Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Pueblos of Zuni, New Mexico, and Wolpi, Arizona, in 1881” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
graphic artist
Nichols, H. H.
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Stevenson, James
block maker
J. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1879
catalog number
1980.0219.1879
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket"

This engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 53 (p.387) in an article by Dr.
Description
This engraved woodblock of a "Navajo blanket" was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the image was published as Figure 53 (p.387) in an article by Dr. Washington Matthews (1843-1905) entitled “Navajo Weavers” in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1881-82.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884
printer
Government Printing Office
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
block maker
W. T. & B.
author
Matthews, Washington
ID Number
1980.0219.1180
catalog number
1980.0219.1180
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of three individuals, two on horses and one standing

This engraved woodblock of three American Indians, two on horseback and one standing, was engraved by F. S. King and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.Currently not on view
Description
This engraved woodblock of three American Indians, two on horseback and one standing, was engraved by F. S. King and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
block maker
V. W. & Co.
graphic artist
King, Francis Scott
ID Number
1980.0219.1242
catalog number
1980.0219.1242
accession number
1980.0219

Engraved woodblock of the "Arikara sign for lie or falsehood"

This engraved woodblock of an “Arikara sign for a lie or falsehood” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1881 as Figure 233 (p.
Description
This engraved woodblock of an “Arikara sign for a lie or falsehood” was prepared by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.; the print was published in 1881 as Figure 233 (p. 393) in an article by Garrick Mallery (1831-1894) entitled “Sign Language Among the North American Indians” in the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian, 1879-80.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1881
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
author
Mallery, Garrick
block maker
V. W. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.0340
accession number
1980.0219
catalog number
1980.0219.0340

Engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos

This engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos was engraved and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.Currently not on view
Description
This engraved woodblock of hilltop pueblos was engraved and printed by the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. for the Bureau of American Ethnology in about 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
publisher
Bureau of American Ethnology
printer
Government Printing Office
block maker
A. P. J. & Co.
ID Number
1980.0219.1813
catalog number
1980.0219.1813
accession number
1980.0219

Spanish Gipsies

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1852
original artist
Palmer, Frances F.
engraver
Swain
printer
Michelin, F
publisher
Gould & Brown
ID Number
2002.0004.15
accession number
2000.0258

Distribution of the American Art - Union Prizes...

The American Art Union operated as a lottery between 1839 and 1852, exhibiting and raffling paintings and providing its members with an annual engraving by subscription.
Description
The American Art Union operated as a lottery between 1839 and 1852, exhibiting and raffling paintings and providing its members with an annual engraving by subscription. It is estimated that more than 50,000 prints were distributed before the lottery was declared illegal and the Union disbanded. Early print collector George Perkins Marsh was a members of the American Art Union, although he specialized in European old master prints.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1847
1848
printer
Sarony & Major
delineator
D'Avignon, Francis
original artist
Matteson, Tompkins Harrison
ID Number
GA.21010
catalog number
21010
accession number
235649

Camera-ready drawing, entitled "B.C."

"B.C.", created and drawn by Johnny Hart (1931-2007), features a group of cavemen and anthropomorphic animals, set in prehistoric times. The comic strip discusses topics usually related to the human condition and the oddities of life.
Description
"B.C.", created and drawn by Johnny Hart (1931-2007), features a group of cavemen and anthropomorphic animals, set in prehistoric times. The comic strip discusses topics usually related to the human condition and the oddities of life. This is a drawing created by the artist for the Newspaper Comics Council.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
undated
graphic artist
Hart, Johnny
publisher
Publishers Newspapers Syndicate, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22498
catalog number
22498
accession number
277502

Wells press

This press was manufactured by John I. Wells of Hartford, Connecticut, in about 1819. It includes an iron ball counterweight. It is stamped on its bar (perhaps by previous owner) “247.” Its platen is extended by a 1-inch iron strip bolted to the rear edge.
Description (Brief)
This press was manufactured by John I. Wells of Hartford, Connecticut, in about 1819. It includes an iron ball counterweight. It is stamped on its bar (perhaps by previous owner) “247.” Its platen is extended by a 1-inch iron strip bolted to the rear edge. A bracket for a shelf or ink table is attached to the near side column. Its tympan and frisket are missing. Its wooden forestay is probably not original to the press. The original brass label reads: “John I. Wells / PATENT LEVER PRESS NO. 54 / HARTFORD CONN.” The press has a height of 76 inches, a width, at cheeks, of 38.5 inches, and a length of 72 inches. The press with platen, including extension, measures 30.5 inches by 21 inches.
John I. Wells of Hartford, Connecticut, patented this press in 1819. It included a cast-iron frame and simple toggle levers in elbow form. It was the first all-American, iron-lever press after George Clymer left the country with his Columbian. Originally Wells hung a heavy iron ball at the side of the press as a counterweight to the platen; later he used springs (which also replaced the spidery three-legged platen hanger). Wells also simplified the connection between bar and toggle levers, and patented this change in 1829. Later presses carry both modifications.
Wells’s press sold nicely, but was not able to withstand the competition from Washington and Smith presses in the 1820s. Manufacture of the Wells press came to an end when Wells died in 1833.
Donated by the American Type Founders Company, 1915.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Date made
1819
date made
ca 1819
maker
American Type Founders Company
inventor
Wells, John I.
ID Number
GA.10188
accession number
59294
catalog number
GA*10188

Gordon Franklin jobber

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

Be-In/ Central Park/ Easter Sunday/ March 26

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1967
maker
Max, Peter
ID Number
2014.0281.01
accession number
2014.0281
catalog number
2014.0281.01

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