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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) [Telegram message for Samuel Morse's coachman]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04650.01 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: Poughkeepsie, New York Type: Autograph note signed Date: circa 1850-1859 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 14 x 21.5 cm. Order a Copy

Note to be relayed to Morse's coachman informing that he will be arriving on the five o'clock train tonight. Written on stationery of the New York, Albany & Buffalo Telegraph Co. Gold envelope is printed with "Morse's American Telegraph, New-York, Albany and Buffalo Line."

Morse is credited with inventing the telegraph and Morse code. In 1844, he sent the first telegraphic message, from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. He was also an accomplished artist and politician.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

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