telegraph key
Datecirca 1888
Inventory NumberDW0091
ClassificationTelegraph Key
Subject
Maker
Alphonse Darras
fl. 1890 - 1915
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions8 × 15.6 × 10 cm (3 1/8 × 6 1/8 × 3 15/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA heavy brass telegraph key, made by Parisian instrument maker Alphonse Darras. The instrument consists of a rectangular wooden block, mounted with a rounded moulding at the base, upon which the brass telegraph instrument hardware is mounted. The lever is a 4" brass rectangular bar, mounted horizontally and attached to a pivot in the center. There are brass contact points mounted on the base in front of and behind the pivot stand. the rear contact point has an adjustable limit screw with a knurled-edge adjustment wheel.
Two brass binding posts along the side and one at the end of the base are mounted on brass blocks inlaid in the base; all three have knurled-edge adjustment screws.
The handle is a rounded hard rubber piece that is mounted vertically at the end of the bar.
Two brass binding posts along the side and one at the end of the base are mounted on brass blocks inlaid in the base; all three have knurled-edge adjustment screws.
The handle is a rounded hard rubber piece that is mounted vertically at the end of the bar.
Signedon plaque: Systèm BREVETÉ S.G.D.G./ Alep. DARRAS / Ingenieur - Constructeur / 123 Bould. St. Michel, PARIS
FunctionTelegraph transmitter. Pressing on the key closes an electric circuit.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Roux-Devillas Paris, March 29, 1966 (lot 4/60).
Laboratoire de Physique, Faculté Libre de Lille
Date: circa 1885
Object number: DW0092
J. H. Bunnell & Company
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: 1998-1-1695
American
Date: circa 1901
Accessories: watchcase receiver
Object number: 1990-1-0001
Western Electric Manufacturing Company
Date: 1869-1881
Object number: 1997-1-0300
Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University
Date: mid 19th-mid 20th Century
Object number: 1997-1-0598