January 2022 Auction Ends Thursday, January 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/10/2022
Rare universal stock ticker designed by Thomas Edison in 1871, which revolutionized Wall Street by synchronizing stock prices across all exchange companies, allowing for exponential efficiencies of scale in the financial markets. Edison's design also made smaller exchanges obsolete, allowing for centralized command and control in New York, thus precipitating the rise of the NYSE. One of his first major inventions, Edison designed the stock ticker for a subsidiary of Western Union, which manufactured this model 3A in the 1870s. Machine has a low serial # of 441, indicating it was one of the first universal stock tickers produced.
Ticker machine is lacquered in brass, and accompanied by four additional stock ticker type wheels. Serial number is engraved to side, along with ''ET-3-A / Universal Ticker / 22-OHMS''. Ticker is mounted on original circular base with Western Union logo in gilt cartouche over black paint. Measures 8.75'' in diameter across the base and approximately 10.5'' tall, with glass dome cover measuring 9.5'' in diameter and 12'' tall. Expected wear, overall in very good condition, with dramatic presentation.
Original 19th Century Thomas Edison-Designed Universal Stock Ticker -- Low Serial #441
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