Cyrus W. Field Cable Section and Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Cyrus W. Field Cable Section and Letter, Ms1989-053 Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Field, Cyrus W. (Cyrus West), 1819-1892
Abstract:
Section (4.5 in.) cut from first (1858) trans-Atlantic telegraph cable, accompanied by a photocopied letter of authenticity from Cyrus West Field, co-founder of Atlantic Telegraph Company.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Cyrus W. Field Cable Section and Letter, Ms1989-053 Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a section (4.5 in.) of cable cut from the original trans-Atlantic telegraph cable, laid in 1858 by the Atlantic Telegraph Company. Attached to the cable section is a tag identifying it as the property of A. H. Griffith. Accompanying the cable section are two photocopies of a letter of authentication dated August 31, 1858, and signed by Cyrus W. Field, co-founder of the Atlantic Telegraph Company. The letter explains that the section was part of the unused portion of the cable, sold to Tiffany & Co. (Tiffany purchased 80 miles of the cable to be cut into small sections, sold as souvenirs.)

Biographical / historical:

Cyrus West Field, son of Rev. David D. and Submit Dickinson Field, was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on November 30, 1819. Around 1834, he moved to New York City, where he became a business apprentice in the offices of A. T. Stewart & Co., a dry goods merchant, then worked in his brother's paper-manufacturing business before establishing his own paper-manufacturing business in 1840. That same year, Field married Mary Bryan Stone; the couple would have seven children. Around 1842, with Joseph F. Stone, his brother-in-law, Field established Cyrus W. Field & Co., a very successful paper wholesaling firm. In 1854, Field became ivolved in telegraphy and with other investors formed the American Telegraph Company in 1855. In 1857, the company began laying the first trans-Atlantic telegraph line, between Ireland and Newfoundland. The cable was opened for use the following year but malfunctioned after only three weeks. Eight years later, Field laid a second trans-Atlantic cable, afterward repairing the original cable for use as a backup. From 1877 to 1880, Field served as president of the New York Elevated Railroad Company and also participated in the development of the Wabash Railroad. Through bad investments, Field lost much of his fortune in later life. Cyrus West Field died in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on July 12, 1892, and was buried in Stockbridge Cemetery.

Acquisition information:
The Cyrus W. Field Cable Section and Letter were purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Cyrus W. Field Cable Section and Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard