This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Perhaps no other invention captures the spirit of America's unprecedented growth in the 20th century like the ticker tape machine. Five years after completing the first transcontinental telegraph line, Western Union introduced the first stock ticker in 1866, and within a few decades it was perfected by Thomas Edison. Evolving from these first bubble topped machines were the teletype and news ticker. This is a fine example of a Dow Jones news ticker, dating from the 1940s - 1950s. Standing four feet tall and made of copper colored metal, the side opens up for the insertion of paper. This is the scarce extra-wide model, measuring 21" across at the base; more common models are tapered with a smaller base. On the front is a black and gold plaque that reads "Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal." Beneath this is a hook for attaching the included vintage 18" clipboard, which has a classic art deco style sculpted clasping mechanism and reads "Dow, Jones & Co., The Wall Street Journal." On the side is a built in holder reading "Dow Jones," for a pair of scissors (not included). The felt lined glass and metal domed lid through which the news stories fed is removable and reveals a vintage printing and feeding mechanism. You can still smell the ribbon ink and gear oil remnants! On the printing mechanism base is a small black patent number plaque with the serial number "2695" stamped in. The wire on the back has been clipped. These machines became obsolete in the late 1960s. In fantastic condition, the machine shows light and even overall wear. This item will be expensive to ship.