Late 19th Century
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Pope, Metcalf, et al. (after) |
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Broadside advertisement for Charles T. Chester, 104 Centre Street, New York City, a telegraph instrument manufacturer. The sheet includes an extensive history of Chester’s distinguished career and business in inventing, patenting, and manufacturing numerous telegraph devices. The broadside illustrates 13 devices such as the New Style Sounder, Chester’s Patent Dial Telegraph, Chester’s Fire Alarm Register, Caton Key, Pocket Relay, Improved Register, Chester’s Fire Alarm Telegraph, as well as batteries, bells, and magnets. This advertising sheet is most likely from an Asher & Adams atlas of manufacturers. Charles T. Chester manufactured telegraph registers in New York City at 104 Centre Street from 1855 to 1880. In 1858 he was joined by John N. Chester, and traded as Charles T. and J.N. Chester until John’s death in 1871. In 1856, he patented the first automatic signal box, which became the forerunner of other fire alarm telegraph devices. In 1858, the company made a dial telegraph for the New York City Police Department, and soon thereafter supplied the device to Philadelphia as well. He continued to patent improved designs over the next several years. Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning and wear to edges. Some small edge tears, repaired. Faint damp-staining to right edge, easily matted out. References: Jenkins, John. “Telegraph Apparatus.” Sparkmuseum. http://www.sparkmuseum.com/TELEGRAPH.HTM (20 December 2004). Reinke, Roger W. “American Telegraph Instrument Makers, 1837-1900.” The Telegraph Office. 1986. http://www.telegraph-office.com/pages/roger.html (20 December 2004). |