August 20th: First Telegrams Travels Around the World

August 20th: First Telegrams Travels Around the World

The New York Times sent a test message, reading “this message sent around the world,” on August 20, 1911. The message was relayed by 16 international operators and it only took 16.5 minutes to return to them. Below are some historical telegrams recently or currently up for bid or purchase.

1862 – Telegram from Fitz John Porter regarding the need to visit his daughter during an illness. $15,750.00

1866 – Telegram ordering the Navy to transport a fugitive back to the U.S. to stand trial for conspiring to assassinate President Lincoln. $22,500.00

1871 – Telegram from James A Garfield regarding a House debate over whether the rent is too high for the Post Office. $6,299.10

1912 – Telegram from Titanic survivor to their family while aboard the rescuing ship. 2,500.00 pounds

1917 – Telegram from Lenin, stating his return to Russia. $77,600.00

1946 – Telegram from Albert Einstein asking for a donation to Federation of American Scientists. “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drive toward unparalleled catastrophe.” $1,000.00

1952 – Telegram from the White House regarding a visit to Ike & Mamie. $224.99

1962 – Telegram from John F. Kennedy to baseball player Stan Musial, along with a photo negative of their meeting. “You make us all believe that life really begins at 40.” $20,000.00

Might be time to go through those boxes of letters in the attic.