| Press Contact: | Catherine Riedell | George Glastris |
| Director of Marketing | Director of Science & Technology | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6341, x231 |
978-779-6241 x | |
SKINNER'S MAY 3RD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AUCTION
FEATURES RARE EDISON REPEATING TELEGRAPH DISK
FEATURES RARE EDISON REPEATING TELEGRAPH DISK
Disk was Pre-cursor to the Phonograph Record
BOLTON, Mass. - April 22, 2002 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation's leading auction houses, and one of the few in the world to specialize in science and technology, announced today that it will hold its spring auction of Science & Technology Auction (Sale #2170) on Saturday, May 3, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in its Bolton, Massachusetts gallery. The sale will feature over 500 lots of fine quality scientific instruments from the 17th-20th centuries, including numerous technical and scientific instruments, mechanical music, early photographs, as well as arms and militaria..
One of the most historically important items for sale is Lot 303, a very rare and possibly unique Repeating Telegraph Disk signed by Thomas A. Edison, 1880, formerly in the collection of the late George Frow, England. The disk is a white card with spirally embossed dots and dashes, spindle hole in center and signed, dated, and inscribed in ink Recorded in the Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison Tuesday 5/13/80. The repeating telegraph (also known as an automatic repeating telegraph) was Edison first attempt at making a physical recording of a telegraph message. Edison, upon hearing the sound this device made when played, remarked that it sounded familiar to hum an speech and got the idea to record human sound, making the disk the pre-cursor to the phonograph record. Edison is quoted by Francis Jehl as saying of the Embossing Telegraph, "That machine was the father of the phonograph." The disk is extremely rare and is estimated $3,000-$5,000..
Other notable lots in the sale include: Mechanical Music Offerings:
· Lot 84: Rare Symphonion Duplex Disc Musical Box, with twin 25 1/4-inch double comb movements, massive double-spring motor and coin mechanism, in walnut piano-form cabinet with rear pediment. It is sold with approximately fifty-one discs (twenty-four pairs and three singles). Estimate: $25,000-30,000.
· Lot 24: Wurlitzer Style 105 Band Organ, now with Artizan 46-key movement, fifty-four wood pipes, cymbal, bass and snare drums, in oak case with painted panels to front, the roll mechanism with Emerson electric motor to the original flywheel, with six rolls. Estimate: $10,000-12,000.
· Lot 72: Lecoultre Mandoline Musical Box in Carved Black Forest Walnut Case With Timepiece, circa 1865, No. 36571, its breakfronted lid is carved fully with a hunting scene with two hounds and stag above the conforming case. The front is carved in mid-relief with game birds and leafy branches, flanking clock-face, on leaf carved scroll feet. Estimate: $8,000-12,000.
· Lot 14: Wurlitzer Model 503 Juke Box, No. 1014113 , with 78 r.p.m. mechanism and fifty record capacity, in wood and plastic cabinet with "bubbler" tubes. Estimate: $5,000-7,000.
Scientific and Medical Instruments:
· Lot 166: Comprehensive Field Surgeon's Set by Weiss, London, early 1830s, in brass bound mahogany Weiss's Improved Air-tight Case. A number of the instruments are marked with the crowned initials G.R. for George IV (who died 1830). He was succeeded by his brother William IV (who died 1837) and his niece Victoria. Estimate: $3,000-5,000.
· Lot 172: Loring's Five and Half Inch Terrestrial Globe, Boston, circa 1840, drawn and engraved by W. Annlin, with colored gores, national boundries, and brass meridian ring, on walnut stand with printed horizon circle and four turned legs. Estimate: $1,000-1,500.
· Lot 261: Eight-Day Chronometer by Barrauds & Lund, London, circa 1840, No. 2/717, with silvered dial, Roman numerals, blued hands, subsidiary seconds dial, up/down indicator and brass bowl marked U. S. Navy BU Ships, 24-1943, Gerald Chittenden, lacquered-brass gimbal and three-tier mahogany case with drop handles and mother of pearl badge. Research has found the name Gerald Chittenden as a second place winner of an O. Henry Award for literature in 1921 for a short story entitled The Victim of His Vision which appeared in Scribner's Magazine. Estimate: $3,000-5,000.
Arms and Militaria:
· Lot 86: Confederate Officer's Sword Belt, with interlocking brass C. S. buckle
and Georgia belt plate. Estimate: $250-350.
· Lot 112: Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Revolver, No. 8188, with bullet mold and powder flask, both marked Colt's Patent, in velvet lined mahogany case. Estimate: $1,500-2,000.
· Lot 113: Colt New Line 32 Caliber Revolver, No.5929, First Model, with pearl grips and engraved nickeled body, in holster, and a pin-fire revolver. Estimate: $800-1,200.
· Lot 272: Carved and Painted Model of a Three-Masted Warship, American mid 19th century, with on-deck cannon, forcastle and poop decks, bridge and rigging, Estimate: $1,000-1,500.
Preview, Catalog, & Web Site Information:
Auction previews will be held Thursday, May 1, 2-5 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2-7 p.m., and Saturday, May 3, 8:00-9:30 a.m. To order a catalogue (Sale #2170) contact Skinner's Subscription Department at (978)779-6241, ext. 240. If you're unable to attend the auction or previews, you can access the full auction catalog and place your bids online at Skinner's web site at www.skinnerinc.com..
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.