Summary

Processes in Telegraphy by Samuel F.B. Morse, United States Commissioner to the Paris Universal Exposition, 1867.

Book has handwritten inscription by Samuel Morse and signature of Samuel McGowan. Samuel McGowan, a Canadian immigrant, was responsible for establishing the first telegraph line in the Southern Hemisphere between Williamstown and Melbourne. The first public transmission was on 3 March 1854.

The book is supplied by the donor, who is a descendant of McGowan. The frontispiece of the book has inscribed on it 'With the compliments of the author'. There is a pencilled marking on the inside of the front cover that is illegible.

Significance

The dinner plate was one of a set of forty four items in a dinner service that was owned by Samuel McGowan, a Canadian immigrant, who was responsible for establishing the first telegraph line in the Southern Hemisphere between Williamstown and Melbourne. The first public transmission was on 3 March 1854.

Whenever McGowan wanted to communicate with his wife without the children understanding their conversation, they would tap on plates in morse code.
The book is supplied by the donor, who is a descendant of McGowan. The book was not included in the discussions between D. Demant and Tricia Rowland, but is a welcome addition as it may well contain the handwriting of Samuel Morse. The frontispiece of the book has inscribed on it 'With the compliments of the author'. There is a pencilled marking on the inside of the front cover that is illegible.

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