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Blake Family Auction (Francis Blake - Blake transmitter)

Started by paul-f, October 07, 2018, 12:50:11 PM

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paul-f

Yesterday, I attended an estate auction by the descendants of Francis Blake (Blake transmitter), hoping there would be some telephone-related items among the many household and furniture lots.

There were several sets, including a 500, 20-type manual candlestick and common oak wall phone modified with network and modular cord. One lot of older items included a rough butterstamp-type receiver and an interesting transmitter. Sold for $3,000 + 18% buyer's premium.

A piece of test gear caught my eye. The auction photo showed damaged wood and no description. Inside the lid was a paper label with writing so faded, it was almost impossible to read. It read:

     Combination Rheostat & Galvanometer
     Made for Francis Blake
     by Charles Williams, Inc.
     Boston, 1885

My hopes that it would fly under the radar were dashed when it sold for $1,400 + BP.

A note in a paper lot indicated his papers were donated to the AT&T Museum in 1925.

Still, it was a fun experience and great to hold the items in my hands -- even if only for a few minutes.
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Jim Stettler

That is really cool. The old parts are really neat,
  That test instrument is a very historic piece of gear.
I am glad you got to hold them.
Jim S.
You live, You learn,
You die, you forget it all.