Catalogue of the Marconi Archives

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Michael J Hughes

©2008

Cataloguing generously funded by Douglas Byrne through the auspices of the Wireless Preservation Society

Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts
Bodleian Library
Broad Street
Oxford
OX1 3BG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 277046.
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 277182.
E-mail: modern.papers@bodley.ox.ac.uk.

Table of Contents

Introduction
A    Papers relating to Marconi and the development of wireless telegraphy, c.1873-1957
    A.1  Personal papers of Guglielmo Marconi, 1896-1937
        A.1.1  Diaries and notebooks, 1901-26
        A.1.2  Correspondence, 1897-1937
        A.1.3  Personal papers, 1896-1936
        A.1.4  Appointments, honours and awards, c.1899-1937
        A.1.5  Memorabilia, 1902-34
        A.1.6  Lectures, papers, speeches and interviews, 1897-1935
        A.1.7  Autobiographical writings, 1913, 1922
        A.1.8  Photographs, c.1896-c.1937
    A.2  Personal papers of George S. Kemp, c.1873-1933
        A.2.1  Diaries, 1898-1932
        A.2.2  Expanded extracts from diaries, 1897-1920
        A.2.3  Notebooks, 1896-1900
        A.2.4  Personal papers and memorabilia, 1895-1933
        A.2.5  Photographs, c.1873-c.1930
    A.3  Early demonstrations and tests, 1896-c.1920
        A.3.1  Papers relating to early experiments, 1896-8
        A.3.2  1896-7 Salisbury Plain experiments, 1896-1909
        A.3.3  Dover experiments, 1897
        A.3.4  Bristol Channel experiments, 1897
        A.3.5  La Spezia and other Italian experiments, 1897-1901
        A.3.6  South Coast and Isle of Wight experiments, 1897-1901
        A.3.7  Ballycastle-Rathlin Island experiments, 1898
        A.3.8  Kingstown Regatta demonstration, 1898
        A.3.9  Osborne House installation, 1898
        A.3.10  English Channel experiments and demonstrations, 1899
        A.3.11  U.S. experiments, 1899-1903
        A.3.12  First transatlantic signal, 1901-2
        A.3.13  First transatlantic message, 1902
        A.3.14  Morse tapes of signals and messages for various experiments, 1900-4
        A.3.15  Miscellaneous papers relating to early work on wireless telegraphy, 1896-1914
        A.3.16  Photographs, c.1896-c.1920
    A.4  The company and its early activities, 1896-1938
        A.4.1  Formation, c.1896-1898
        A.4.2  Marconi's company correspondence, 1901-3
        A.4.3  Fleming's correspondence with Marconi, 1900-27
        A.4.4  Correspondence of and relating to H. Cuthbert Hall, 1901-8
        A.4.5  Papers concerning the company's activities, 1896-1938
    A.5  Stations and establishments, 1898-1952
        A.5.1  The Haven Station, 1898-1925
        A.5.2  Poldhu Station, 1900-34
        A.5.3  Cape Cod Station, 1901-16
        A.5.4  Glace Bay and Louisberg Stations, 1902-26
        A.5.5  Clifden and Letterfrack Stations, 1904-22
        A.5.6  Other early stations and installations, 1901-29
        A.5.7  Carnarvon and Towyn Stations, 1913-24
        A.5.8  The English-Continental Wireless Telegraph Service, c.1920-1935
        A.5.9  Photographs of stations and establishments, c.1897-c.1950
        A.5.10  Other company premises, 1901-52
    A.6  Wireless policy, 1899-1947
        A.6.1  Correspondence and papers concerning national and international wireless policy, 1899-1932
        A.6.2   UK legislation and licensing, 1904-39
        A.6.3  Reports of international conferences and copies of international conventions, 1903-47
    A.7  World communications, 1897-1952
        A.7.1  Various overseas wireless schemes, 1897-1932
        A.7.2  Wireless schemes in Australia and New Zealand, 1902-23
        A.7.3  The first Transatlantic wireless service, 1900-8
        A.7.4  The Imperial Wireless Scheme and the Marconi Enquiry, 1911-23
        A.7.5  General correspondence and papers regarding international communications, 1909-34
        A.7.6  The development of beam radio, 1916-31
        A.7.7  The formation of Cable and Wireless, c.1922-1938
        A.7.8  Press releases, 1921-52
    A.8  Maritime, 1897-1950
        A.8.1  The development of maritime wireless services, 1897-1950
        A.8.2  Sea Disasters and rescues: the RMS Titanic, 1904-14
            A.8.2.a  Administrative records of the company relating to the White Star Line and the Titanic, 1904-12
            A.8.2.b  Procès-verbaux of ship and shore stations, 1912
            A.8.2.c  Messages handled by ship and shore stations, 1912
            A.8.2.d  Enquiry proceedings and reports, 1912-14
        A.8.3  Other sea disasters and rescues, 1909-34
        A.8.4  Photographs, c.1900-1929
    A.9  Wireless and the press, 1909-30
    A.10  Wireless telephony, 1900-36
    A.11  Sound broadcasting, 1919-55
    A.12  Television, 1929-54
    A.13  Aeronautical use of wireless, 1916-57
    A.14  War, 1899-1947
        A.14.1  Boer War, 1899-1902
        A.14.2  World War 1: Admiralty wireless stations in Britain, 1912-19
        A.14.3  World War 1: Admiralty wireless stations overseas, 1914-16
            A.14.3.a  General papers, 1914-16
            A.14.3.b  Descriptions of Naval wireless stations overseas, 1914-15
        A.14.4  World War 1: direction finding, 1914-20
        A.14.5  World War 1: other papers, 1914-20
        A.14.6  World War 2, 1938-47
    A.15  Technical papers, 1897-1954
    A.16  Other companies, 1899-1953
        A.16.1  Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America, 1901-c.1918
        A.16.2  Radio Corporation of America, 1919-53
        A.16.3  Other companies, 1899-1951
B    Archives of the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Ltd., Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd., the Marconi Company Ltd., GEC-Marconi Electronics Ltd. and Marconi Electronic Systems Ltd., 1880-2004
    B.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1897-1999
        B.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1897-1967
        B.1.2  Minutes and meeting papers, 1897-1984
        B.1.3  General Meeting papers and reports, 1898-1966
        B.1.4  Directors and officers, 1917-30
        B.1.5  Miscellaneous corporate papers, 1920-99
        B.1.6  Company organisation and management, 1943-99
    B.2  Legal records, 1880-1994
        B.2.1  Patents and trademarks, 1880-1994
            B.2.1.a  Patents, 1880-1928
            B.2.1.b  Papers relating to patents, 1896-1994
            B.2.1.c  Patent registers, 1896-c.1936
            B.2.1.d  Patent registers, 1897-1939
            B.2.1.e  Patent ledgers, 1930-67
            B.2.1.f  Opinion sheets, 1936-49
            B.2.1.g  Patent registers, 1946-76
            B.2.1.h  Application registers, 1932-85
            B.2.1.i  Citations registers, 1937-90
            B.2.1.j  Classified indexes of patents, c.1940-c.1990
            B.2.1.k  Patent abstracts, to 1968
            B.2.1.l  Registers of inventions and records of inventors, 1934-c.1990
            B.2.1.m  Opinion sheets, c.1950-c.1980
            B.2.1.n  Decision slips, 1922-89
            B.2.1.o  Miscellaneous register, 1945-73
            B.2.1.p  Correspondence indexes, c.1920-c.1980
            B.2.1.q  Application registers, 1980-6
            B.2.1.r  Application abstracts, 1986-90
            B.2.1.s  Trademarks registers and papers, 1922-87
        B.2.2  Legal papers, 1897-1976
        B.2.3  Litigation papers, 1899-1953
    B.3  Property records, 1890-c.1994
    B.4  Financial records, 1897-1990
        B.4.1  Balance sheets and accounts, 1935-71
        B.4.2  Account books, 1897-1990
        B.4.3  Miscellaneous financial records, 1899-c.1985
        B.4.4  Financial administrative files, 1920-84
    B.5  Staff records, 1897-1999
        B.5.1  Personnel registers, 1897-1961
        B.5.2  Other personnel records, 1898-1999
        B.5.3  Staff training, 1905-97
            B.5.3.a  Study notebooks and course papers, 1905-10
            B.5.3.b  Papers relating to training establishments and provision, 1926-97
            B.5.3.c  Records of students, 1929-93
        B.5.4  Staff organisations, 1924-97
        B.5.5  Staff biographical papers, 1918-94
        B.5.6  Staff memorabilia, 1925-7, c.1950
        B.5.7  Staff photographs and pictures, c.1900-1993
        B.5.8  Staff magazines, 1914-98
            B.5.8.a  Staff magazines, 1914-50
            B.5.8.b  The Marconi Companies and Their People, 1950-70
            B.5.8.c  Staff magazines, 1972-98
            B.5.8.d  Other papers relating to staff magazines, 1965-6
    B.6  Research, development and technical records, 1901-99
        B.6.1  Reports on research and development activities, 1920-95
        B.6.2  Technical reports, 1921-47
        B.6.3  Research Department files, 1906-39
        B.6.4  Research files relating to Franklin, the Independent Research Department and the beam system, 1923-31
        B.6.5  Miscellaneous research files, 1908-80
        B.6.6  Working papers on and drafts of descriptive literature and operating instructions for equipment, 1915-44
        B.6.7  Registers of drawings, types and specifications, 1901-c.1950
            B.6.7.a  Drawing indexes, 1901-c.1935
            B.6.7.b  Sketch (SK) registers, 1909-c.1935
            B.6.7.c  H, P and S drawing registers, 1919-34
            B.6.7.d  D/DW drawing registers, 1921-34
            B.6.7.e  Q drawing indexes, 1921-35
            B.6.7.f  Head Office (HO) drawing registers, c.1925-c.1935
            B.6.7.g  N series drawing register, 1935-46
            B.6.7.h  Samples registers, c.1920
            B.6.7.i  Miscellaneous registers, c.1920-c.1950
            B.6.7.j  Performance specification [PS] registers, 1921-c.1950
        B.6.8  Development Manager/Technical Manager's project and administrative files, 1936-46
        B.6.9  Records of the Research Department, later the Research and Development Department, 1932-41
        B.6.10  Air Ministry 'Secret' files, 1939-45
        B.6.11  Research files of Millington and Section E, c.1930-1991
            B.6.11.a  Technical reports and research papers, 1933-62
            B.6.11.b  Other research files, papers and notebooks, c.1930-1981
        B.6.12  Engineer-in-Chief's administrative and project files, 1941-55
        B.6.13  Research files and reports of Development Division, Development and Designs Department and Engineering Department, 1935-57
        B.6.14  Research files of Partington of the Television Studio Development Group, 1948-58
        B.6.15  Research Division files predominantly on radar projects, 1944-56
        B.6.16  Chief of Research's files, 1945-73
        B.6.17  Research Division 'ER' technical reports, 1952-7
        B.6.18  Station logs, 1958-9
        B.6.19  Engineering/Communications Division administrative files, 1957-64
        B.6.20  Baddow Research Laboratories Interim Technical Memoranda and related papers, 1955-73
        B.6.21  Papers relating to equipment supplied by Avery, 1958-60
        B.6.22  Space Communications Division administrative papers, 1963-9
        B.6.23  Research material, c.1970-c.1990
        B.6.24  Project and contract proposals and reports, 1957-97
        B.6.25  Technical literature and papers, 1919-97
        B.6.26  Administrative papers, 1931-99
        B.6.27  Technical journals and magazines, 1903-83
            B.6.27.a  The Marconigram, 1903-4
            B.6.27.b  The Marconigraph, 1912-13
            B.6.27.c  Wireless World, 1913-61
            B.6.27.d  The Wireless Age, 1913-18
            B.6.27.e  The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony, 1913-25
            B.6.27.f  The Marconi Review, 1928-83
            B.6.27.g  Radio Intelligence, 1929-39
            B.6.27.h  Aerial. 1953-81
            B.6.27.i  Point to Point Telecommunications, later Point to Point Communication, 1956-74
            B.6.27.j  Sound and Vision Broadcasting, 1960-73
            B.6.27.k  Communication and Broadcasting, 1974-80
    B.7  Production records, 1919-64
        B.7.1  Orders, 1919-64
        B.7.2  Other papers, 1951
    B.8  Product records, 1901-99
        B.8.1  Product literature, 1903-99
            B.8.1.a  Early catalogues and descriptive leaflets, 1903-c.1920
            B.8.1.b  'L' series descriptive leaflets of equipment, c.1919-c.1921
            B.8.1.c  Numerical series of descriptive leaflets of equipment, 1924-46
            B.8.1.d  Numerical series of pamphlets describing groups of equipment, 1924-32
            B.8.1.e  Sets of numerical series descriptive leaflets and pamphlets, 1924-33
            B.8.1.f  'LL' series pamphlets describing groups of equipment, 1931-45
            B.8.1.g  Sets of descriptive leaflets and pamphlets, 1931-46
            B.8.1.h  Miscellaneous product literature, c.1920- c.1940
            B.8.1.i  Product illustrations, c.1925
            B.8.1.j  Sets of descriptive leaflets, 1946-54
            B.8.1.k  'SP' series manuals of equipment, 1951-68
            B.8.1.l  'TD' [Technical Description] series manuals of equipment, 1954-68
            B.8.1.m  Product literature, 1939-69
            B.8.1.n  Product literature, 1938-99
            B.8.1.o  Product literature for subsidiary and related companies, c.1930-c.1972
        B.8.2  Product catalogues, 1951-97
            B.8.2.a  Marconi catalogues, 1951-69
            B.8.2.b  Marconi Instruments catalogues, 1954-88
            B.8.2.c  Marconi Instruments Test and Measurement Systems catalogues, 1992-7
            B.8.2.d  Marconi Communication and Broadcasting Systems catalogues, 1970-81
            B.8.2.e  Marconi Radar Systems catalogues, 1970-9
        B.8.3  Product photographs, 1901-c.1990
            B.8.3.a  Product photographs, 1901-c.1990
            B.8.3.b  Files of product photographs, c.1975
        B.8.4  Product drawings, 1952-4
    B.9  Promotional records, 1906-96
        B.9.1  Advertisements, 1921-63
        B.9.2  Trade exhibitions, 1906-96
            B.9.2.a  Albums of exhibition photographs, 1947-92
            B.9.2.b  Other papers concerning exhibitions, 1906-96
    B.10  Sales and marketing records, 1936-83
    B.11  Publicity and public relations records, 1897-2000
        B.11.1  Press releases, 1951-2000
        B.11.2  Press cuttings, 1897-1999
            B.11.2.a  Volumes of press cuttings, 1897-1913
            B.11.2.b  Volumes of press cuttings, 1913-54
            B.11.2.c  Volumes of press cuttings, 1954-69
            B.11.2.d  Volumes of press cuttings, 1970-94
            B.11.2.e  General press cuttings, 1898-1963
            B.11.2.f  Press cuttings subject files, 1932-65
            B.11.2.g  Press cuttings, 1974-92
            B.11.2.h  Press cuttings subject files, 1975-90
            B.11.2.i  Miscellaneous press cuttings, 1898-1999
        B.11.3  Documents and administrative papers relating to publicity and public relations, c.1905-1998
    B.12  Commemorative records, 1900-2004
        B.12.1  Records of visitors, 1900-96
        B.12.2  Commemorative photographs, 1950-2000
        B.12.3  Papers relating to the company's golden jubilee, 1947
        B.12.4  Other commemorative papers and memorabilia, 1928-2004
    B.13  Records relating to the company's history, c.1920-2002
        B.13.1  Papers from company historian's 'Historical' files, c.1920-c.2000
        B.13.2  Published and unpublished company histories, 1946-92
        B.13.3  Historical research papers and literature, 1930-2002
        B.13.4  Archive administration records, c.1960-1999
        B.13.5  Miscellaneous historical material, c.1980-2000
        B.13.6  Historical images, c.1950-2001
        B.13.7  Historical sound recordings, 1951-c.1995
C    Archives of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd., 1900-98
    C.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1900-98
        C.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1900-62
        C.1.2  Minutes, 1900-84
            C.1.2.a  Minutes of general meetings, 1900-50
            C.1.2.b  Minutes of Board meetings, 1900-84
            C.1.2.c  Minutes of Committee meetings, 1900-35
            C.1.2.d  Minutes of Finance Committee meetings, 1909-42
        C.1.3  Meeting papers, 1900-72
        C.1.4  Annual reports, 1900-87
        C.1.5  Directors and officers, 1900-91
            C.1.5.a  Registers of directors, 1900-17
            C.1.5.b  Directors' attendance books, 1900-91
        C.1.6  Corporate registers, 1900-89
            C.1.6.a  Registers of agreements, 1900-81
            C.1.6.b  Seal registers, 1900-65
            C.1.6.c  Registers of documents signed on behalf of the company, 1913-70
            C.1.6.d  Other registers, 1929-89
        C.1.7  Company organisation and management, 1914-98
    C.2  Legal records, 1900-65
    C.3  Property records, 1961-2
    C.4  Financial records, 1900-81
        C.4.1  Balance Sheets and Accounts, 1950-65, 1974-8
        C.4.2  Journals, 1900-66
        C.4.3  Other records, 1905-81
    C.5  Staff records, c.1900-c.1993
        C.5.1  Personnel registers, 1905-88
            C.5.1.a  Staff books and operators staff indexes, 1905-88
            C.5.1.b  Registers of resignations, dismissals, desertions, deaths, appointments, reappointments, special duty and small craft telegraphists, 1921-8
            C.5.1.c  Registers of appointments, 1929-82
            C.5.1.d  Registers of appointments and resignations, 1961-9
            C.5.1.e  Registers of reappointments, 1929-70
            C.5.1.f  Registers of resignations, 1929-82
            C.5.1.g  Registers of deaths, dismissals and desertions, 1929-70
            C.5.1.h  Registers of deep sea resignations, 1948-70
            C.5.1.i  Small craft registers, c.1925-1977
            C.5.1.j  Other registers, 1939-77
        C.5.2  Staff salary books, 1902-c.1920
        C.5.3  Radio operators' record cards, c.1900-c.1993
            C.5.3.a  First series, c.1900-1958
            C.5.3.b  First series: operators killed in action, 1939-45
            C.5.3.c  Second series, c.1958-c.1973
            C.5.3.d  Third series, c.1920-c.1980
            C.5.3.e  Fourth series, c.1978-c.1993
            C.5.3.f  Operators on oil rigs, c.1976-c.1993
        C.5.4  Staff handbooks and guidance, 1951-81
        C.5.5  Staff photographs, c.1940-c.1970
        C.5.6  Staff magazines, 1947-86
            C.5.6.a  Marconi Mariner, 1947-84
            C.5.6.b  Other magazines, 1985-6
    C.6  Product records, c.1930-1994
        C.6.1  Product literature, c.1930-c.1944
        C.6.2  Product manuals, c.c.1950-1987
        C.6.3  Other product literature, c.1950-1994
        C.6.4  Product photographs, c.1940-c.1990
            C.6.4.a  Photographs of equipment on ships, c.1960-c.1970
            C.6.4.b  Photographs arranged by subject, c.1940-c.1970
            C.6.4.c  General photographs of equipment, c.1940-c.1990
            C.6.4.d  Photographic negatives of equipment, c.1940-c.1960
            C.6.4.e  Photographs of echosounder recordings, c.1960
    C.7  Publicity and public relations records, 1920-c.1990
        C.7.1  Press cuttings, 1920-74
        C.7.2  Company publications, 1922-c.1990
        C.7.3  Publicity photographs, 1927-c.1990
    C.8  Commemorative records, 1929-85
        C.8.1  Visitors' books, 1951-85
        C.8.2  Miscellaneous memorabilia, 1929-50
        C.8.3  Commemorative photographs, 1950-c.1970
    C.9  Records relating to the company's history, 1992-6
D    Archives of the M-O Valve Company Ltd., 1919-72
E    Archives of the Radio Communication Company Ltd., 1924-65
    E.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1930-65
    E.2  Financial records, 1924-8
    E.3  Staff records, 1924-c.1927
    E.4  Photographs, c.1925
F    Archives of Cable and Wireless Ltd., 1929-37
G    Archives of the English Electric Company Limited, 1871-2000
    G.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1918-84
        G.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1918-66
        G.1.2  Minutes, 1918-84
            G.1.2.a  Minutes of shareholders' meetings, 1919-84
            G.1.2.b  Minutes of Board meetings, 1918-66
            G.1.2.c  Minutes of other committees, 1920-68
        G.1.3  Meeting papers, 1965-8
        G.1.4  Directors and officers, 1936-68
            G.1.4.a  Directors' attendance books, 1936-68
            G.1.4.b  Registers of directors' holdings and interests, 1948-66
        G.1.5  Corporate registers and records, 1938-71
            G.1.5.a  Seal registers, 1938-71
        G.1.6  Annual reports and accounts, 1919-68
        G.1.7  Company management, 1930-68
        G.1.8  Company takeovers and mergers, 1968
    G.2  Legal records, 1905-71
        G.2.1  Legal papers, 1919-49
        G.2.2  Contracts and agreements, 1905-71
        G.2.3  Patents and trademarks, 1935-71
            G.2.3.a  UK patent registers, 1935-71
            G.2.3.b  Registers of UK patent applications dropped, 1963-71
            G.2.3.c  Foreign patent application registers, c.1945-1967
            G.2.3.d  Foreign patent registers, c.1935-1967
            G.2.3.e  Register of patents by subject, 1947-62
    G.3  Property records, 1871-1965
        G.3.1  Property records, 1871-c.1955
        G.3.2  Property photographs, 1938-65
            G.3.2.a  Photographs of Aircraft Factory, East Works, Preston, 1939-41
            G.3.2.b  Albums of photographs of the company's premises taken by Walter Nurnberg, c.1956-c.1962
            G.3.2.c  Aerial photographs of works, c.1940, 1965
    G.4  Financial records, 1919-68
        G.4.1  Account books, 1919-c.1935
        G.4.2  Administrative files, 1962-8
    G.5  Staff records, 1926-c.2000
        G.5.1  Staff handbooks and guidance, 1952-69
        G.5.2  Staff organisations, 1946-c.2000
            G.5.2.a  English Electric Overseas Club, 1949-69
            G.5.2.b  Sir George Nelson Convalescent Home (later Hampsfield House Convalescent Home), 1946-c.2000
        G.5.3  Staff biographical records, c.1940-62
        G.5.4  Staff memorabilia, 1941, c.1950
        G.5.5  Staff photographs, 1950
        G.5.6  Staff magazines, 1926-66
            G.5.6.a  Monthly Bulletin, 1926-32
            G.5.6.b  English Electric and its People, 1946-66
    G.6  Research, development and technical records, 1920-75
        G.6.1  Administrative reports, 1955-68
        G.6.2  Technical literature, 1949-75
            G.6.2.a  Catalogue, 1953
            G.6.2.b  Reports Abstract Bulletins, 1958-66
            G.6.2.c  Information Bulletins, 1954-68
            G.6.2.d  Other technical handbooks and guides, 1949-75
        G.6.3  Professional journals, 1920-68
            G.6.3.a  The English Electric Journal, 1920-68
    G.7  Product records, 1926-2003
        G.7.1  Product manuals and catalogues, 1926-2003
            G.7.1.a  Files of English Electric product manuals and guides, c.1950-c.1970
            G.7.1.b  Other English Electric manuals and guides, 1926-c.1970
        G.7.2  Product photographs, c.1930-c.1970
    G.8  Promotional literature, c.1950-c.1960
    G.9  Sales records, 1948-64
        G.9.1  Sales proposal, 1948
        G.9.2  Sales staff literature, 1951-64
    G.10  Publicity and public relations records, 1948-68
        G.10.1  Press cuttings, 1948-51
        G.10.2  Press digests, 1955-68
        G.10.3  Press releases and cuttings, 1964-7
        G.10.4  English Electric Activities, 1956-67
    G.11  Commemorative records1942-97
        G.11.1  Commemorative literature, 1967
        G.11.2  Commemorative photographs, 1942-97
    G.12  Records relating to the company's history, 1945-2000
        G.12.1  Published and unpublished company histories, 1945-84
        G.12.2  Papers relating to the company's history, 1949-2000
H    Archives of Willans and Robinson Ltd., 1918-98
I    Archives of D. Napier and Son Ltd., 1958-96
J    Archives of the Vulcan Foundry Ltd., 1864-c.1995
    J.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1864-1968
        J.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1864-1957
        J.1.2  Minutes, 1924-61
        J.1.3  Directors and officers, 1900-68
        J.1.4  Annual reports and accounts, 1960
    J.2  Financial records, 1865-1962
        J.2.1  Financial registers and records, 1865-1959
        J.2.2  Account books and records, 1931-62
    J.3  Records relating to the company's history, c.1930, c.1995
K    Archives of Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd., 1938-62
L    Archives of the English Electric Valve Company Ltd., 1961-2003
M    Archives of Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., Elliott-Automation Ltd. and related companies, 1897-2000
    M.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1916-71
        M.1.1  Company establishment and regulation, 1916
        M.1.2  Directors and officers, 1916-58
        M.1.3  Annual reports and accounts, 1962-75
        M.1.4  Corporate registers, 1947-57
    M.2  Property records, 1967
    M.3  Financial records, 1911-21 and ?
        M.3.1  Balance books, 1911-21 and ?
    M.4  Staff records, 1946, 1968
        M.4.1  Staff handbooks, 1968
        M.4.2  Staff magazines, 1946, 1977
    M.5  Research, development and technical records, 1950-75
    M.6  Product records, 1897-1975
    M.7  Promotional records, 1962
    M.8  Photographs, c.1910-1979
    M.9  Records relating to the company's history, 1992-2000
N    Archives of the Power and Traction Finance Company Ltd., 1922-50
O    Archives of Switchgear and Cowans Ltd., 1959-79
P    Archives of the Westinghouse Electric Company Ltd., the British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company Ltd. and the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Ltd., 1889-1998
    P.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1889-1938
        P.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1889-1929
        P.1.2  Minutes, 1889-1938
            P.1.2.a  Westinghouse Electric Co. Ltd., 1889-1921
            P.1.2.b  British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co. Ltd., later Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd., 1899-1938
            P.1.2.c  Metro-Vick Supplies Ltd., 1924-34
            P.1.2.d  Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. (Mediterranean) Ltd., 1924-31
        P.1.3  Directors and officers, 1921-35
        P.1.4  Corporate registers and records, 1899-1938
        P.1.5  Reports, accounts and meeting papers, 1899-1928
        P.1.6  General administrative records, 1901-18
    P.2  Legal and property records, 1889-c.1970
        P.2.1  Contracts and agreements, 1922-30
        P.2.2  Papers relating to the Moscow Trial on allegations of wrecking activities at power stations in the Soviet Union, 1933
            P.2.2.a  Numbered files relating to the trial, 1889-1933
            P.2.2.b  Thornton's private files from Moscow, 1929-33
            P.2.2.c  Other papers, 1889-1933
        P.2.3  Property records, c.1910-c.1990
    P.3  Financial records, 1954-64
    P.4  Staff records, 1900-60
        P.4.1  Staff handbooks and guidance, 1900-17
        P.4.2  Staff training, 1955-7
        P.4.3  Staff organisations, 1949-60
        P.4.4  Staff biographical records, 1957
    P.5  Research, development and technical records, 1939-59
        P.5.1  Administrative records of research, development and engineering departments, 1939-54
        P.5.2  Research reports and records, 1952-9
    P.6  Product manuals and catalogues, 1902-56
    P.7  Production photographs, 1902, c.1950
    P.8  Promotional literature, 1902-56
    P.9  Company periodicals, 1912-58
        P.9.1  British Westinghouse Gazette, 1912-19
        P.9.2  Metropolitan-Vickers Gazette, 1937-58
    P.10  Commemorative records, 1901-49
        P.10.1  Commemorative literature, 1906-10
        P.10.2  Commemorative photographs, 1901-51
    P.11  Records relating to the company's history, 1947-98
        P.11.1  Company histories, 1947, 1949
        P.11.2  Papers relating to company history, 1994-8
Q    Archives of the British Thomson-Houston Company Ltd., 1895-1999
    Q.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1895-1965
        Q.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1920-60
        Q.1.2  Minutes, 1895-1965
            Q.1.2.a  General meetings minutes, 1895-1951
            Q.1.2.b  Board minutes, 1896-1951
            Q.1.2.c  Executive Committee minutes, 1901-17
            Q.1.2.d  Other minutes, 1948-65
        Q.1.3  Directors and officers, 1960
        Q.1.4  Corporate registers and records, 1903-64
        Q.1.5  Annual reports and accounts, 1897-1958
        Q.1.6  Company management, 1903-26
        Q.1.7  Company takeovers and mergers, 1928-9
    Q.2  Legal and property records, 1904-37
        Q.2.1  Patents and trademarks, 1904-37
        Q.2.2  Legal papers, 1922-38
        Q.2.3  Litigation, 1920-c.1924
        Q.2.4  Property photographs, 1905-14
    Q.3  Financial records, 1901-65
        Q.3.1  Financial registers and records, 1902-65
        Q.3.2  Account books and records, 1901
    Q.4  Staff records, 1948-c.1990
        Q.4.1  Staff training, 1948-59
        Q.4.2  Staff biographical records, 1951, 1985, c.1980
        Q.4.3  Staff photographs, 1961-6
    Q.5  Research, development and technical records, 1922-64
        Q.5.1  Research papers on the development of compressors, gas turbines and jet engines, 1922-64
        Q.5.2  Other research and technical records, 1945-59
    Q.6  Product records, 1898-1953
        Q.6.1  Manuals and product literature, 1922c.1953
        Q.6.2  Product photographs, 1898-1941
    Q.7  Promotional records, 1925, 1953
    Q.8  Publicity and public relations records, 1950-8
        Q.8.1  BTH Activities, 1950-8
        Q.8.2  General publications, c.1960
    Q.9  Commemorative records, c.1919-c.1960
        Q.9.1  Commemorative literature, c.1919
        Q.9.2  Commemorative and miscellaneous photographs, c.1940-c.1960
    Q.10  Records relating to the company's history, 1946-99
        Q.10.1  Company histories, 1946
        Q.10.2  Papers relating to company history, 1973-99
R    Archives of Associated Electrical Industries Ltd., 1899-2000
    R.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1899-1970
        R.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1899-1960
        R.1.2  Minutes, 1929-67
            R.1.2.a  General meetings minutes, 1939-63
            R.1.2.b  Directors' minutes, 1930-66
            R.1.2.c  Minutes of the Executive Committee, later [from 1964] the Management Committee of the Board, 1929-67
            R.1.2.d  Other minutes, 1929-66
            R.1.2.e  Confidential minutes, 1939-67
        R.1.3  Directors' attendance books, 1928-62
        R.1.4  Corporate registers and records, 1929-45
        R.1.5  Reports, accounts and other papers for shareholders, 1900-70
            R.1.5.a  Reports and accounts, 1900-70
            R.1.5.b  Document books, 1929-68
            R.1.5.c  Other papers, 1930-67
        R.1.6  Company organisation, management and mergers, 1928-68
    R.2  Legal records, 1925-64
        R.2.1  Contracts and agreements, 1939-64
        R.2.2  Litigation, 1925, 1964
        R.2.3  Files relating to the Moscow Trial of Metropolitan-Vickers staff on allegations of wrecking activities at power stations in the Soviet Union, 1933
    R.3  Accounts, 1959-66
    R.4  Staff records, 1931-67
        R.4.1  Staff handbooks and guidance, 1966-7
        R.4.2  Staff training, 1960
        R.4.3  Staff organisations, 1931-64
        R.4.4  Staff photographs, c.1930-c.1965
        R.4.5  Staff magazines, 1931-56
            R.4.5.a  AEI News, 1931-56
            R.4.5.b  Topic, 1956-67
    R.5  Research, development and technical records, 1951-69
        R.5.1  Administrative records of research, development and engineering departments and laboratories, 1959-69
        R.5.2  Research files, 1957-69
        R.5.3  Technical literature, 1951-68
        R.5.4  Professional journals, 1961-7
            R.5.4.a  AEI Engineering, 1961-7
            R.5.4.b  AEI Journal of Telecommunications, 1966-7
    R.6  Product records, 1952-81
        R.6.1  Product manuals and catalogues, 1952-81
        R.6.2  Product photographs, c.1960
    R.7  Promotional records, 1955-66
        R.7.1  Promotional literature, 1955-66
        R.7.2  Audiovisual material, 1959-66
    R.8  Publicity and public relations records, 1961-8
    R.9  Records of visitors, 1957-97
    R.10  Papers relating to the company's history, 1955-2000
S    Archives of the Edison Swan Electric Company Ltd., 1897-c.1965
T    Archives of Birmingham Electric Furnaces Ltd., later Birlec Ltd., 1928-54
U    Archives of Siemens Brothers and Company Ltd., 1860-1993
    U.1  Personal papers of Sir Charles William Siemens, 1862-1902
    U.2  Corporate and administrative records, 1912-39
    U.3  Legal and property records, 1945
    U.4  Staff records, 1860-1935
    U.5  Research, development and technical records, 1932-40
    U.6  Promotional records, 1962, 1992
    U.7  Publicity and public relations records, 1922-45
    U.8  Records relating to the company's history, 1939-93
V    Archives of W.T. Henley's Telegraph Works Company Ltd., 1919-96
W    Papers of Hugo Hirst, 1st Baron Hirst of Witton, 1850-1967
    W.1  Correspondence and papers, 1882-1937
        W.1.1  Personal and business correspondence, 1882-1916
        W.1.2  Correspondence and papers relating to tariff reform, 1903-32
        W.1.3  Correspondence and papers relating to World War 1, 1910-25
        W.1.4  Correspondence and papers on political affairs, 1925-c.1931
        W.1.5  Correspondence and papers on other subjects, 1903-37
    W.2  Lectures, speeches and articles, 1899-1942
        W.2.1  Drafts, copies and some related papers, 1899-1942
        W.2.2  Correspondence concerning speeches and articles by or about Hirst, 1926-36
    W.3  Personal papers and memorabilia, 1872-1967
    W.4  Printed papers, 1852-1932
    W.5  Press cuttings, 1850-c.1946
    W.6  Photographs, c.1890-c.1940
    W.7  Corporate and administrative papers, 1910-31
    W.8  Legal and property records, 1899-1957
    W.9  Financial records, 1884-1929
    W.10  Personnel records, 1898-1945
    W.11  Research, development and technical records, , 1899-1930
    W.12  Product and promotional literature, 1889-c.1930
    W.13  Commemorative records, 1905-29
    W.14  Papers concerning the history of the company, c.1900-1958
X    Archives of the General Electric Company plc, 1881-2003
    X.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1900-2002
        X.1.1  Memoranda and articles of association, 1900-69
        X.1.2  Minutes, 1901-85
            X.1.2.a  Minutes of shareholders' meetings, 1901-58
            X.1.2.b  Directors' minutes, 1915-64
            X.1.2.c  Committee minutes, 1935-65
            X.1.2.d  Osram Robertson Lamp Works Ltd., 1919-24
            X.1.2.e  Radio and Allied Industries Ltd., 1954-79
            X.1.2.f  Radio and Allied (Holdings) Ltd., 1958-85
        X.1.3  Meeting papers, c.1970-1999
        X.1.4  Annual reports and accounts, 1905-2002
        X.1.5  Directors and officers, 1918-68
        X.1.6  Corporate registers and records, 1959-78
        X.1.7  Company takeovers, mergers and reorganisation, 1928-99
        X.1.8  General administrative records, 1968-99
            X.1.8.a  Internal memoranda, 1968-99
            X.1.8.b  Other administrative records, 1975-91
    X.2  Legal records, 1887-1996
        X.2.1  Patents and trademarks, 1887-1996
            X.2.1.a  UK patent application registers, 1947-94
            X.2.1.b  UK patent progress registers, 1968-94
            X.2.1.c  UK patent registers, 1948-94
            X.2.1.d  Foreign patent application registers, c.1950-c.1975
            X.2.1.e  Foreign patent registers, c.1942-c.1984
            X.2.1.f  Patent registers by subject reference, c.1935-c.1972
            X.2.1.g  Correspondence and papers concerning patents, 1929-96
            X.2.1.h  Registers of trade marks, 1887-1969
            X.2.1.i  Design registration certificates, 1946-90
            X.2.1.j  Correspondence and papers concerning trade marks, 1912-82
        X.2.2  Agreements, 1900-62
            X.2.2.a  General agreements, 1900-15
            X.2.2.b  Lamp agreements, 1907-62
        X.2.3  Other legal papers, 1917-86
    X.3  Property records, c. 1890-c.2000
        X.3.1  Property records, 1909-99
        X.3.2  Photographs of British and Irish premises owned or operated by GEC, c.1890-c.2000
        X.3.3  Photographs of overseas premises owned or operated by GEC, c.1908-c.1960
    X.4  Financial records, 1881-1998
    X.5  Records relating to staff, 1887-2002
        X.5.1  Staff structures, handbooks and guidance, 1935-c.2000
        X.5.2  Staff recruitment, training and awards, 1942-98
        X.5.3  Staff organisations and social events, 1919-c. 2000
            X.5.3.a  The Magnetics Club, 1932-78
            X.5.3.b  Witton Senior Club, 1952-73
            X.5.3.c  GEC Overseas Club, c.1940-c.2000
            X.5.3.d  Other staff organisations and social events, 1919-98
        X.5.4  Staff memorabilia, 1919-45
        X.5.5  Biographical records relating to staff and directors, 1922-2001
            X.5.5.a  Biographical papers relating to Sir Hugo Hirst, 1922-43
            X.5.5.b  Biographical papers and memorabilia relating to Sir Harry Railing, 1947-63
            X.5.5.c  Biographical and personal papers relating to Sir Clifford Paterson, Director of the Research Laboratories, c.1927-1951
            X.5.5.d  Biographical papers on staff and directors, 1948-2001
        X.5.6  Staff photographs, 1887-c.2000
        X.5.7  Staff magazines, 1912-2002
            X.5.7.a  The Magnet Magazine, 1912-39
            X.5.7.b  Topic, 1968-98
            X.5.7.c  Other magazines, 1923-2002
    X.6  Research, development and technical records, 1908-99
        X.6.1  Correspondence files of Sir Clifford Paterson, 1933-46
        X.6.2  Administrative records of research, development and engineering departments and laboratories, 1908-98
        X.6.3  Research Reports, 1983-92
        X.6.4  Technical reports and other papers on research work, 1921-94
        X.6.5  Professional publications and papers of research staff, 1908-98
        X.6.6  Technical literature, 1928-96
        X.6.7  Technical drawings, 1935-74
        X.6.8  Photographs, c.1920-c.1990
        X.6.9  Professional journals, 1930-99
            X.6.9.a  GEC Journal, 1930-83
            X.6.9.b  GEC Telecommunications, 1946-80
            X.6.9.c  Research Review, 1952-61
            X.6.9.d  GEC Atomic Energy Review, 1957-60
            X.6.9.e  Telecoms Topics, 1964, 1966, c.1974
            X.6.9.f  GEC Journal for Industry, 1977-85
            X.6.9.g  GEC Engineering, 1983-4
            X.6.9.h  GEC Journal of Research, 1983-98
            X.6.9.i  GEC Review, 1985-99
            X.6.9.j  Photographs for use as illustrations in GEC journals, 1985-99
    X.7  Production records, c.1963
    X.8  Product records, 1886-c.2000
        X.8.1  Catalogues and product literature, 1886-1995
            X.8.1.a  Catalogues, 1886-93
            X.8.1.b  Complete catalogues, 1894-1911
            X.8.1.c  Catalogues, catalogue sections and product literature, 1898-1967
            X.8.1.d  Filed product literature, 1921-33
            X.8.1.e  Bound catalogue sections and product literature, 1927-54
            X.8.1.f  Product literature and catalogues, 1968-95
        X.8.2  Product technical literature and manuals, 1910-c.1985
        X.8.3  Product photographs, 1896-c.2000
    X.9  Promotional records, 1897-2002
        X.9.1  Promotional literature and papers, 1897-1999
        X.9.2  Advertising, 1912-93
        X.9.3  Promotional material relating to Marconi plc, 1999-2002
    X.10  Sales records, 1905-97
    X.11  Publicity and public relations records, 1902-2003
        X.11.1  Press releases, 1952-2002
        X.11.2  Press cuttings concerning specific topics, 1902-61
        X.11.3  Press cuttings relating to AGMs, 1957-63
        X.11.4  Press cuttings about Lord Weinstock, 1966-90
        X.11.5  Press cuttings and other papers concerning specific topics, 1967-86
        X.11.6  General press cuttings, 1959-2002
        X.11.7  Agency press cuttings, 2001-3
        X.11.8  Other material relating to publicity and public relations, c.1944-2002
        X.11.9  Publicity and public relations photographs, 1946-94
    X.12  Commemorative records, 1922-c.1999
        X.12.1  Visitors' books, 1922-97
        X.12.2  Commemorative photographs, 1905-c.1999
    X.13  Records relating to the company's history, c.1905-c.2000
        X.13.1  Works on the history of the company, c.1905-c.2000
        X.13.2  Miscellaneous papers relating to company history, c.1950-c.2000
        X.13.3  Copies of photographs and slides illustrating the history of GEC, c.2000
        X.13.4  Archive administration records, c.1940-c.2000
Y    Archives of Salford Electrical Instruments Ltd., 1952-67, 1990
Z    Archives of Woods of Colchester Ltd., 1949-99
AA    Archives of GEC Avery Ltd., 1992-9
AB    Archives of GEC Alsthom, 1937-99
    AB.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1989-99
    AB.2  Staff magazines, 1937-98
    AB.3  Research publications, 1985-96
    AB.4  Product and promotional literature, 1984-99
    AB.5  Publicity and public relations records, 1989-99
    AB.6  Records relating to the company's history, 1991-6
AC    Archives of the Plessey Company plc and its successors, c.1950-2001
    AC.1  Records of the Plessey Company, 1985-9
        AC.1.1  Corporate and administrative records, 1985-9
        AC.1.2  Staff records, 1978-89
        AC.1.3  Research reviews and other research centre literature, 1971-89
        AC.1.4  Technical journals, 1964-89
        AC.1.5  Product literature, c.1950-1989
        AC.1.6  Publicity and public relations records, 1968-89
        AC.1.7  Commemorative records, 1975-83
    AC.2  Records of GEC-Plessey Telecommunications Ltd. (GPT), 1988-2000
    AC.3  Records of other GEC-Plessey companies, 1991-6
    AC.4  Records relating to the companies' history, 1986-2001
AD    Archives of constituent companies of the General Domestic Appliance Company Ltd., 1907-c.2000
    AD.1  Simplex and Creda Companies, 1907-c.2000
        AD.1.1  Legal records, 1909-87
        AD.1.2  Staff records, 1985-98
        AD.1.3  Product literature, 1907-c.2000
        AD.1.4  Promotional and publicity records, 1950-c.1990
        AD.1.5  Records concerning company history, 1945-98
    AD.2  Other companies, 1953-c.1999
AE    Archives of Ferranti Ltd. and GEC Ferranti Defence Systems Ltd., 1952-92
AF    Archives of VSEL Ltd., NNC Ltd., Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd. and GEC Marine, 1984-98
AG    Archives of U.S. companies acquired by the General Electric Company, 1986-99
AH    Archives of other companies acquired by the General Electric Company, 1971-99
AI    Acquisitions by the companies from external sources, c.1900-1996
    AI.1  Papers of G.A. Isted, c.1900-c.1990
    AI.2  Acquisitions of personal papers, 1912-96
    AI.3  Miscellaneous small acquisitions, c.1916-c.1983
AJ    Non-company papers, 1925-99
    AJ.1  Product literature for various other companies, 1931-91
    AJ.2  Other papers, 1893-1999


The Marconi Archives, 1850-2004

Abstract:
Catalogue of the Marconi Archives, encompassing archives of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd., the Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd., the English Electric Company Ltd., the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Ltd., the British Thomson-Houston Company Ltd., Associated Electrical Industries Ltd., the General Electric Company plc and other associated companies; together with personal papers of Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937), electrical engineer, and Hugo Hirst (1863-1943), businessman.

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 1-4027; MSS. Photogr. a. 18-37; b. 60-136; c. 234-456; d. 43-157; e. 33-50

Extent: 4480 shelfmarks

Company History

The Marconi Archives encompass records of many of the companies ultimately absorbed into the General Electric Company, latterly known as Marconi plc and the Marconi Corporation plc. An outline of the history of the principal companies concerned is given here; individual histories of constituent companies are given at the start of the relevant series.

Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd. was formed in 1897 as the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Ltd., its name changing in 1900. It was originally created to enable Guglielmo Marconi to develop and exploit his innovative work on wireless telegraphy. It was taken over by the English Electric Company Ltd. in 1946, but continued in existence as a separate subsidiary, renamed the Marconi Company Ltd. in 1963. It also retained a substantially separate identity following the merger of English Electric with the General Electric Company in 1968, as GEC-Marconi Electronics Ltd. In 1998 it was reorganised as Marconi Electronic Systems Ltd. and was merged with/sold to British Aerospace the following year, becoming BAE Systems.

The English Electric Company was incorporated in 1918, being formed by amalgamations and acquisitions of the Coventry Ordnance Works, the Phoenix Dynamo Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dick, Kerr and Company Ltd., the United Electric Car Company Ltd. and Willans and Robinson Ltd. The Siemens Brothers Dynamo Works at Stafford was acquired in 1920. English Electric took over Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd. in 1946, and was itself merged with the General Electric Company in 1968. While its subsidiary Marconi Company retained its identity following the merger, English Electric was eventually absorbed into both the General Electric Company and its subsidiary GEC-Marconi Electronics.

Associated Electrical Industries Ltd. was formed in 1929 as a holding company for the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Ltd. and the British Thomson-Houston Company Ltd. Metropolitan-Vickers was originally created in 1899 as the British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co. Ltd., its name being altered in 1919 following a change of ownership, while British Thomson-Houston was established in 1896. Both Metropolitan-Vickers and British Thomson-Houston remained in existence after 1929 and continued a long-established rivalry despite the common ownership. Their distinct identities continued until 1960 when their activities were actively absorbed into the parent Associated Electrical Industries. In 1967 Associated Electrical Industries was merged with the General Electric Company, into which it was quickly absorbed.

The General Electric Company was created as the General Electric Apparatus Company in 1886 by Hugo Hirst and Gustav Byng from a small electrical business established in London by Byng (Gustav Binswanger and Company, using Byng's original name). It became the General Electric Company in 1889, and was made a public company in 1900. It became increasingly successful especially under the influence of Hirst. Initially manufacture was focussed on electric bells and light fittings, but this expanded to a wide range of electrical equipment - resulting in the firm's slogan 'Everything Electrical'. The managing directorship of Arnold Weinstock from 1963 onwards saw GEC's rapid expansion, not least due to mergers with Associated Electrical Industries in 1967 and the English Electric Company in 1968. Further takeovers and mergers made the company one of the largest private employers in the UK. Policy changes following Weinstock's retirement in 1996 saw several elements of the company being sold off, and it was relaunched as Marconi plc in 1999 (following the disposal of its subsidiary Marconi Electronic Systems). A further relaunch as the Marconi Corporation plc in 2002 was ultimately unsuccessful in saving the company from financial difficulties, and a large portion was sold to Ericsson in 2005, with the remainder forming the successor telent plc, now telent Ltd.

Scope and Content

The Marconi Archives comprise A. Papers relating to Marconi and the development of wireless telegraphy, c.1873-1957; B. Archives of the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Ltd., Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd., the Marconi Company Ltd., GEC-Marconi Electronics Ltd. and Marconi Electronic Systems Ltd., 1880-2004; C. Archives of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company Limited, 1900-98; D. Archives of the M-O Valve Company Ltd., 1919-72; E. Archives of the Radio Communication Company Ltd., 1924-65; F. Archives of Cable and Wireless Ltd., 1929-37; G. Archives of the English Electric Company Ltd., 1871-2000; H. Archives of Willans and Robinson Ltd., 1918-98; I. Archives of D. Napier and Son Ltd., 1958-96; J. Archives of the Vulcan Foundry Ltd., 1864-c.1995; K. Archives of Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd., 1938-62; L. Archives of the English Electric Valve Company Ltd., 1961-2003; M. Archives of Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., Elliott-Automation Ltd. and related companies, 1897-2000; N. Archives of the Power and Traction Finance Company Ltd., 1922-50; O. Archives of Switchgear and Cowans Ltd., 1959-79; P. Archives of the Westinghouse Electric Company Ltd., the British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company Ltd. and the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Ltd., 1889-1998; Q. Archives of the British Thomson-Houston Company Ltd., 1895-1999; R. Archives of Associated Electrical Industries Limited, 1899-2000; S. Archives of the Edison Swan Electric Company Ltd., 1897-c.1965; T. Archives of Birmingham Electric Furnaces Ltd., later Birlec Ltd., 1928-54; U. Archives of Siemens Brothers and Company Ltd., 1860-1993; V. Archives of W.T. Henley's Telegraph Works Company Ltd., 1919-96; W. Papers of Hugo Hirst, 1st. Baron Hirst of Witton, 1850-1967; X. Archives of the General Electric Company plc, 1881-2003; Y. Archives of Salford Electrical Instruments Ltd., 1952-67, 1990; Z. Archives of Woods of Colchester Ltd., 1949-99; AA. Archives of Avery Berkel, 1992-9; AB. Archives of GEC Alsthom, 1937-99; AC. Archives of the Plessey Company and its successors, c.1950-2001; AD. Archives of constituent companies of the General Domestic Appliance Company Ltd., 1907-c.2000; AE. Archives of Ferranti Ltd. and GEC Ferranti Ltd., 1952-92; AF. Archives of VSEL plc, NNC Ltd. and GEC Marine, 1984-98; AG. Archives of U.S. companies acquired by the General Electric Company, 1986-99; AH. Archives of other companies acquired by the General Electric Company, 1971-99; AI. Acquisitions of archives by the companies from external sources, c.1900-1996; AJ. Non-company papers, 1925-99.

Arrangement

The principal series have been arranged in an order reflecting the archival inter-relationships of the companies and individuals represented in the Archives, while also taking into account the dominance of Marconi company records. Papers of Guglielmo Marconi himself, his assistant George Kemp, and significant records relating to the development and applications of wireless telegraphy have been treated as a separate initial series, based on an existing series created by the company. Records of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company (in its various incarnations) form the first series of company archives proper, and are followed by archives of various subsidiary and associated companies, notably the Marconi International Marine Communication Company. The next major series comprises the archives of the English Electric Company which took over Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company in 1946. This is succeeded by archives of other companies acquired by English Electric, together with its subsidiaries. The next three series cover the closely associated Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company, British Thomson-Houston, and Associated Electrical Industries (which acquired the first two companies in 1929). Records of other companies acquired by AEI follow, then some papers relating to Siemens Brothers which have a disparate archival history, having connections with both English Electric and Associated Electrical Industries. Both English Electric and Associated Electrical Industries were merged with the General Electric Company in 1967-8, and archives of this company are next in the company sequence, preceded by the closely-related personal papers of Hugo Hirst, GEC's co-founder and managing director. The arrangement concludes with archives of other companies acquired by or associated with the General Electric Company. For each series of company archives, a general scheme of arrangement has been followed (with some minor variations to reflect particular archival arrangements identified). This considers the papers under the following subseries: corporate and administrative records; legal records; property records; financial records; staff records; research and development records; production records; product records; promotional records; publicity and public relations records; commemorative records; and records relating to the company's history. The arrangement of papers within individual series varies according to original record-keeping practices and/or the nature of the series concerned.

Acquisition

The Archives were given by Marconi plc to the University of Oxford in 2004, together with the company's historic equipment which is now housed in the Museum of the History of Science.

Restrictions on Access

Most material is available, but prospective readers should contact Western Manuscripts well in advance of an intended visit as much of the collection is stored offsite. Some material (predominantly personnel records including data on individuals who may be living) is restricted and is identified accordingly.

Preferred Form of Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Library [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Marconi 1, fols. 1-2].

Alternative Form Available

Images of many items in the series relating to Marconi and the development of wireless telegraphy are to be found in MarconiCalling, a website exploring the life, science and achievements of Guglielmo Marconi. Selected links to specific sections of MarconiCalling are given below where appropriate. MarconiCalling was developed by Marconi plc and given to the University of Oxford.

Personal names (NCA Rules)

Hirst | Hugo | 1863-1943 | Baron Hirst | businessman
Kemp | George Stephen | 1857-1933 | electrical engineer
Marconi | Guglielmo | 1874-1937 | Marchese Marconi | electrical engineer

Corporate names (NCA Rules)

Associated Electrical Industries Ltd
British Thomson-Houston Co Ltd | manufacturers of electrical machinery and equipment
English Electric Co Ltd | electrical, mechanical and hydraulic engineers and aircraft manufacturers
GEC-Marconi Electronics Ltd
General Electric Co plc | manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment
Marconi Company Ltd | manufacturers of wireless, broadcasting and marine communications equipment, avionics, defence systems, etc
Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Ltd
Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd | manufacturers of electrical goods and equipment

Subjects (LCSH)

Electric engineering
Telegraph, wireless

A   Papers relating to Marconi and the development of wireless telegraphy, c.1873-1957


Scope and Content:

This series is based on a series of 'historical' files created by the company. The various subseries encompass personal papers of Marconi and his assistant, George Kemp; the early development of wireless telegraphy; the formation and early operation of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company; the development of international wireless policy and its influence on world communications; and the further applications of radio communication in significant areas. Additional items of direct relevance to the subjects and time period covered, but not included in the original 'historical' series, have been incorporated into appropriate subseries. Conversely, a few sections (notably those covering research and development, patents and litigation) formerly in the 'historical' series but falling more appropriately into major subseries within the main body of the administrative records of the company (to be found in the series following this), have been incorporated into these. The 'historical' files also contained articles and correspondence concerning the history of the topics in question, and these have been included in the subseries of papers on the history of the company (see MSS. Marconi 1752-1831). .

A.1   Personal papers of Guglielmo Marconi, 1896-1937

Biographical history:

For a biography of Marconi, see the entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

A.1.1   Diaries and notebooks, 1901-26

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 1-16


Pocket diary, 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 1
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 2
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 3
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1904
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 4
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 5
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1916
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 6
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1918
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 7
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1919
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 8
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1921
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 9
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1923
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 10
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1925
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 11
Extent: 1 vol.

Pocket diary, 1926
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 12
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary for 1891, used for notes of references to articles and reports, 1903-4
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 13
Extent: 1 vol.

Small notebook containing various numerical entries, c.1906
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 14
Extent: 1 vol.

Small notebook with few entries, n.d. [early 20th cent.]
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 15
Extent: 1 vol.

Enclosures from the diaries, 1914, 1919
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 16
Extent: 1 folder

A.1.2   Correspondence, 1897-1937

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 17-19


Family correspondence, 1897-1937
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 17
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Correspondence with and about members of the Marconi family, including

  • draft letters from Guglielmo Marconi to his parents about the formation of the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company, 1897
  • letter from Guglielmo Marconi's father, Giuseppe Marconi, to Jose Ferro [not sent?], 1904
  • letter from Cuthbert Hall to Guglielmo Marconi about Giuseppe's death, 1904
  • letters from Guglielmo Marconi's mother, Annie Marconi to Mr. Kershaw [Marconi's secretary], 1904-6
  • letters from Annie Marconi to her son Guglielmo, 1911
  • telegram and letter (with enclosed photographs) from Beatrice Marconi to her husband Guglielmo, 1907, 1911
  • letters from Guglielmo Marconi to Maria Cristina Bezzi-Scali, later his second wife, 1923-6
  • letters from Degna Marconi to her father Guglielmo, 1925-9, n.d.
  • letters from Gioia Marconi to her father Guglielmo, 1925, n.d.
  • letters from Alfonso Marconi to his brother Guglielmo, 1900, 1902, 1904
  • letter from Alfonso Marconi to H. Kershaw, 1908
  • letter from Alfonso Marconi to H.W. Allen about his directorships, 1917
  • letter from Lady Inchiquin to her son-in-law Guglielmo Marconi, 1908
  • letters from Lord Inchiquin to his son-in-law Guglielmo Marconi, 1914-17

Personal correspondence, 1897-1937
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 18
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • letters from A Slaby, with a signed photograph, 1898-9
  • letters from Reginald Fessenden, one with draft reply, inviting Marconi to give a lecture at the Academy of Science of Pittsburgh, 1899
  • letters from Josephine Holman, to whom Marconi was briefly engaged, 1900-1, n.d.
  • letter from John Henniker Heaton about a meeting between Austen Chamberlain and the fishermen of Great Britain, 1901
  • letters from and about Righi and Dessau, 1903-11
  • letters from Bernard and Agnes Baden-Powell, 1904, n.d.
  • draft letters to Mr. and Mrs. Clover, the parents of a godchild, 1911
  • letters from Ettore Bellini, 1912, 1926
  • letter from Beerbohm Tree about seats for Pygmalion at His Majesty's Theatre, 1914
  • draft letter from Marconi to Winston Churchill expressing appreciation (on behalf of Italians) of Churchill's remarks on Italy, and commenting on the international situation, c.1915-16
  • letters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1921, n.d.
  • personal correspondence with G.A. Mathieu, who worked with Marconi on microwave experiments in Italy, 1923, 1933
  • personal correspondence with Godfrey Isaacs and his widow Léa Isaacs, 1924-5
  • letter from 'Tuff', 1925
  • letter from J.A. Fleming introducing the sculptor A.B. Sava, 1926
  • letters from individuals suggesting eccentric or unusual uses or effects of electromagnetic waves, 1934-5
  • draft passages of a letter to an unidentified lover, n.d. [early 20th cent.]

Draft personal and business correspondence, research notes and reports, c.1900-c.1937
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 19
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes papers relating to scientific and business matters.

A.1.3   Personal papers, 1896-1936

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 20-27


Personal papers, 1896-c.1920
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 20
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Italian passport, 1896
  • Naval discharge papers, 1901
  • Italian wartime passport, with letter from the Ministero della Marina about passports, 1915, 1917
  • papers about wartime service, 1914-c.1920
  • draft entry for 'Who's Who in Sport', 1914

Papers relating to diplomatic and political appointments and affairs, c.1915-1936
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 21
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • Anonymous typescript memorandum discussing conditions under which Italy might enter the war on the side of the Allies, c.1915
  • speeches in support of Italy, c.1915-c.1920
  • Papers relating to Marconi's service as Italian Delegate Plenipotentiary to the Peace Conference, 1919-20
  • Papers relating to Marconi's membership of the Fascist Party, 1923-36

Miscellaneous personal and family papers, 1904-36
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 22
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • memorial cards for Giuseppe Marconi, 1904
  • will and probate documents of Giuseppe Marconi, 1904-6
  • settlement made on Guglielmo Marconi's marriage to Beatrice, 1905
  • draft wills of Guglielmo Marconi, 1906, 1917 and n.d.
  • correspondence and papers concerning the death of Marconi's new-born first child, Lucia, 1906
  • photographs of the funeral of Annie Marconi, 1920
  • documents relating to the divorce of Marconi and his first wife, Beatrice, the annulment of their marriage, and Beatrice's remarriage to the Marchese di Montecorona, 1922-4
  • correspondence and papers concerning the death of Alfonso Marconi, 1936
  • papers concerning taxes, 1934
  • papers concerning Marconi's legal relationship with Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, 1909-27
  • miscellaneous financial papers, 1905-34

Marconi's cheques and cheque book stubs, 1897-1907
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 23
Extent: 1 box

Papers relating to property owned or leased by Marconi, 1910-22
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 24
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence, accounts and legal papers relating to Villa Griffone (the Marconi family residence near Bologna), including some more general correspondence with legal advisers on financial and personal matters, 1910-22
  • photographs of Villa Griffone, c.1900
  • correspondence, furnishing accounts and other papers relating to Eaglehurst, Fawley, Southampton (Marconi's residence 1911-16), including letters from Kemp reporting on practical work undertaken and a Post Office Licence to use wireless telegraphy for experimental purposes at the property, 1912-22

Papers relating to the SY Elettra, owned by Marconi, 1919-c.1935
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 25
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs, plans, correspondence, papers about work to the yacht, papers about its possible sale, and particulars (including plans and photographs) of other yachts available for purchase.


Procès-Verbal for the SY Elettra, 1926-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 26
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises procès-verbal volume covering Aug.-Oct. [1926?] and May-Sept. 1927, with loose procès-verbal sheets (the first headed ' "Chelmsford" ', possibly not for the Elettra) found enclosed in the volume, covering June 1928.


Papers concerning motoring, 1901-12
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 27
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • driving licences, 1910, 1911
  • bills and cheques, 1901-6
  • cuttings about Marconi's serious motor accident, 1912

A.1.4   Appointments, honours and awards, c.1899-1937

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 28-39


Papers concerning British honours and awards, 1900-1932
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 28
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • lists of honours and awards
  • papers concerning conferment of an honorary Knighthood Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, 1912-14
  • correspondence with Oliver Lodge about possible election to the Royal Society, 1925

Papers concerning Italian appointments, honours and awards, c.1899-1925
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 29
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes Italian Royal correspondence [mainly from court officials] about audiences and appointments, including Beatrice Marconi's appointment as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, c.1899-1916


Certificates for official Italian honours, 1902-25
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 30
Extent: 1 folder

Certificate of honorary membership of Il Collegio degli Ingegneri ed Architetti di Palermo, 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 31
Extent: 1 roll
Medium: Rolled certificate in presentation tube

Presentation volume of signatures of employees of Gl'Impiegati Postali e Telegrafici di Firenze, n.d. [c.1903]
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 32
Extent: 1 vol.
Medium: Parchment volume with illuminated cover, in illuminated folder and green plush case

Presentation volume of signatures of the Unione Generale degli Esercenti Industriali e Commercianti Firenze, in admiration of Marconi, n.d. [c.1903]
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 33
Extent: 1 vol.
Medium: Parchment volume with illuminated cover

Certificate of honour conferred by the Comitato Regionale Veneto, 1904
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 34
Extent: 1 vol.
Medium: Parchment sheets bound in embossed leather cover

Illuminated sheet of signatures of Il Circolo I Italiano, presented to Marconi, 1910
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 35
Extent: 1 sheet

Papers concerning American honours and awards, 1906-36
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 36
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • letters of apology from Thomas Edison and Calvin Coolidge for a dinner held in honour of Marconi by the Radio Corporation of America, 1922
  • letters of congratulation from Thomas Edison and Calvin Coolidge on the award of the John Fritz Medal to Marconi, 1922

Papers concerning other honours and awards, 1901-37
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 37
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • letter from J.A. Fleming about the possibility of nominating Marconi for the Nobel Prize, 1901
  • presentation copy of 'La Telegrafia sin Hilos explicada por su descubridor Guillermo Marconi', in illuminated vellum cover, 1904
  • correspondence and papers relating to the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics, 1909
  • correspondence with Thor Thörnblad, especially with regard to seeking the Nobel Prize for Marconi, 1908-12
  • illuminated address to Marconi signed by various dignitaries at Cadiz, 1924

Certificates for various honours and awards, 1901-25
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 38
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

For British, Italian, American, Spanish and Swedish honours and awards.


Certificates for various honours and awards, 1903-10
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 39
Extent: 1 roll

Scope and Content:

For American and Belgian honours and awards.

A.1.5   Memorabilia, 1902-34

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 40-46


Memorabilia, 1902-22
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 40
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • illuminated poem by F. Cardarelli, to mark the marriage of Marconi to Beatrice O'Brien, 1905
  • 'L'eroe magico', manuscript prose work by Gabriele d'Annunzio in honour of Marconi, 1915
  • letter from Gabriele d'Annunzio to Marconi, on headed paper of Reggenza Italiana del Carnaro, 1920
  • published copy of La Reggenza Italiana del Carnaro: Disegno di un nuovo ordinamento dello stato libero di Fiume, with personal inscription to Marconi from Gabriele d'Annunzio, 1920
  • manuscript and printed Italian poetry written in honour of Marconi, 1903-22
  • musical scores for 'Marconi March' and 'Detector Marcia', composed in honour of Marconi for special occasions, 1902-3

Memorabilia, 1904-34
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 41
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • menu for celebratory dinner in connection with patent 7777/1900, with signatures of attendees next to their photographs on the menu, with related letter, 1911
  • invitations and dinner menus, 1903-34
  • 'Album Marconi': commemorative booklet celebrating Marconi and the development of wireless telegraphy, 1904
  • letters from Lisbetta Beck imploring Marconi to sign and return a fan-leaf already signed by Thomas Edison; with the fan-leaf enclosed in card and envelope addressed for its return [which Marconi never did], 1912
  • flyer for unveiling by Marconi of tablet marking the residence of Sir Humphry Davy in Clifton, 1905
  • papers and congratulatory telegrams to Marconi in Bologna on the 30th anniversary of wireless telegraphy, mostly in Italian, including notes by Marconi for speech[es]; also contains draft of address by Marconi to an extraordinary general meeting of the company, 1926
  • press cutting of humorous verse relating to Marconi's engagement to Josephine Holman, c.1901
  • visiting card of Alfonso Marconi, with an address in Bournemouth on verso, n.d.
  • visiting cards of Guglielmo Marconi, n.d.
  • blank headed writing paper for various addresses, n.d.

Presentation photograph of boys' school/band with illuminated address to Marconi, dated Roma, 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 42
Extent: 1 presentation folder

Sheet of glass originally from Marconi House, on which Marconi's signature has been scratched, c.1930
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 43
Extent: 1 glass sheet, framed

Scope and Content:

With explanatory notes on verso and on separate sheet.


Memorabilia, 1903-27
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 44
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • menus for Savage Club House Dinner, one signed by Marconi and the other by Henniker Heaton, 1903
  • certificate of membership of the Junior Institute of Engineers for W.N. Howitt, signed by Marconi as President, 1912
  • photographs of 'Men of Mark' by Alvin Langdon Coburn, sent to Marconi by the photographer with a letter seeking a sitting for a second volume, 1913
  • Marconi's certificate of membership of Mount Vernon Yacht and Country Club, 1927

Presentation copy of La Nuova Rassegna Tecnics Internazionale: special number in homage to Marconi, 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 45
Extent: 1 vol.

Presentation copy of 25 Jahre Telefunken, 1928
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 46
Extent: 1 vol.

Scope and Content:

With von Arco's card enclosed.

A.1.6   Lectures, papers, speeches and interviews, 1897-1935

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 47-53


Scope and Content:

Drafts and published copies.


1897-9
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 47
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • bibliographies of Marconi
  • typescript copy of lecture by Mr. Gavey referring to Marconi's work, c.1897
  • Manuscript and typescript drafts of paper possibly by Marconi, c.1897

c.1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 48
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • typescript draft of chapters [by Marconi?] on his work to 1899, c.1899
  • typescript draft account of experiments in wireless telegraphy in 1899 [and before?], mostly by Marconi but including some extracts or sections by others [including Slaby?], c. 1899

1900-2
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 49
Extent: 1 box

1903-9
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 50
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • a few pages of an unidentified typescript draft, c.1903
  • typescript draft on 'Wireless Telegraphy' for unidentified occasion, c.1906
  • typescript draft for unidentified occasion, c.1906
  • copy of annual report of the company for 1907 containing copies of lectures given by Marconi, 1908
  • partial draft and copies of Nobel Prize lecture, 1909

1910-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 51
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • typescript copy of discussion notes on unidentified paper, c.1911
  • manuscript and typed drafts of speech for meeting of 2nd Congress of Italians Abroad, with typed draft of a further unidentified speech, both in Italian, n.d.

c.1920-1926
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 52
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • typescript draft on 'Wireless Wonders of Tomorrow' for unidentified occasion
  • typescript draft of vote of thanks for lecture by Fleming on 'The Coming of Age of Radiotelegraphy'
  • a few other short drafts for unidentified occasions

1927-35
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 53
Extent: 1 box

A.1.7   Autobiographical writings, 1913, 1922

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 54-55


'The Story of My Life' by Marconi, 1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 54
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Originally prepared for a court case.


Typescript of 'Wireless Telegraphy 1895-1919', c.1922
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 55
Extent: 1 vol.

Scope and Content:

Written as if by Marconi, but really [according to a note attached] by Marconi's secretary, Leon de Souza.

A.1.8   Photographs, c.1896-c.1937

Shelfmarks: MSS. Photogr. a. 18-20, b. 60, c. 234-235


Ornate photograph album, c.1900
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 234
Extent: 1 album

Scope and Content:

Brass plate on front inscribed 'G Marconi' and dedication from his mother inside; contains photograph of Marconi and of the King, Queen, Crown Prince and Princess of Italy, otherwise empty.


Photographs, c.1896-c.1937
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. b. 60
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • portrait photographs of Marconi
  • photographs of Marconi in uniform
  • photographs of Marconi with his second wife, Maria Cristina Bezzi-Scali, and of Cristina alone

Photographs, c.1896-c.1937
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 235
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Miscellaneous photos including special occasions, groups, informal snapshots, and a portrait photograph possibly of Alfonso Marconi.


Photographs, c.1896-c.1937
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. a. 18
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Large photographs of Marconi, groups, etc.


Photographs, c.1920-c.1930
Shelfmark: MSS. Photogr. a. 19-20
Extent: 2 photographs

Scope and Content:

Framed portrait photographs.

A.2   Personal papers of George S. Kemp, c.1873-1933


Biographical History:

George S. Kemp (1857-1933) was Marconi's first, closest and most dedicated assistant, who kept an invaluable diary of their working relationship. Before joining Marconi's new company, Kemp served in the Royal Navy as an electrical and torpedo instructor, after which he was employed by the Post Office in the laboratory of its Engineer-in-Chief, William Preece. Kemp was assigned to provide technical support for Marconi's early demonstrations and this led to his appointment as Marconi's 'Chief Assistant'.

A.2.1   Diaries, 1898-1932

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 56-88, MS. Photogr. d. 43


Scope and Content:

Kemp's original diaries, including a photographic copy of the earliest.


Photographic copies of diary, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. d. 43
Extent: 1 box
Note: Whereabouts of original diary unknown.

Diary, 1900
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 56
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 57
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 58
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 59
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1904
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 60
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1905
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 61
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1906
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 62
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1907
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 63
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1908
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 64
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1909
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 65
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1910
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 66
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1911
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 67
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 68
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 69
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 70
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1915
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 71
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1916
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 72
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1917
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 73
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1918
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 74
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1919
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 75
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1920
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 76
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1921
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 77
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1922
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 78
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1923
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 79
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1924
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 80
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1925
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 81
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1926
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 82
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1927
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 83
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1928
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 84
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1929
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 85
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1930
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 86
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1931
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 87
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary, 1932
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 88
Extent: 1 vol.

A.2.2   Expanded extracts from diaries, 1897-1920

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 89-111, MS. Photogr. c. 236


Scope and Content:

Kemp's own extracts from his diaries, in many cases expanding and illuminating the original entries, compiled c.1930; some volumes include photographs.


1897-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 89
Extent: 1 file

1899-1900
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 90
Extent: 1 file

1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 91
Extent: 1 file

1902-3
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 92
Extent: 1 file

1904
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 93
Extent: 1 file

1905
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 94
Extent: 1 file

1906
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 95
Extent: 1 file

1907
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 96
Extent: 1 file

1908
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 97
Extent: 1 file

1909
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 98
Extent: 1 file

1910
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 99
Extent: 1 file

1911
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 100
Extent: 1 file

1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 101
Extent: 1 file

1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 102
Extent: 1 file

1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 103
Extent: 1 file

1915
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 104
Extent: 1 file

1916
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 105
Extent: 1 file

1917
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 106
Extent: 1 file

1918
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 107
Extent: 1 file

1919
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 108
Extent: 1 file

1920
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 109
Extent: 1 file

Duplicates of extracts, excluding photographs, 1897-1907
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 110
Extent: 1 box

Duplicates of extracts, excluding photographs, 1908-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 111
Extent: 1 box

Copies of photographs for inclusion in the diary extracts, 1897-1920
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 236
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Two sets, one with manuscript captions, the other with typescript captions; with a note requesting the preparation of the photos for the diaries, and a separate caption for one photograph; these photographs appear not to have been included in the final version of the extracts.

A.2.3   Notebooks, 1896-1900

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 112-122, MS. Photogr. d. 44


Scope and Content:

Some are in diary format and were used to compile the earliest diary extracts.


Experimental Room notebook, Mar.-July 1896
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 112
Extent: 1 vol.

Experimenting Room notebook, Aug.-Dec. 1896
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 113
Extent: 1 vol.

Notebook recording experiments undertaken at the General Post Office and Salisbury Plain, July 1896-Mar. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 114
Extent: 1 vol.

Photographic copies of laboratory notebooks, 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. d. 44
Extent: 1 box
Note: Whereabouts of original volumes unknown.

Scope and Content:

Laboratory notebook dated 1897 and diary for 1895, used for research notes dated 1897.


Notebook of experiments, Sept.-Oct. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 115
Extent: 1 vol.

Notebook on tests, Apr.-Nov. 1900
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 116
Extent: 1 vol.

Research notebook, 1917
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 117
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary for 1918, used for research notes, 1918-20
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 118
Extent: 1 vol.

Scope and Content:

Includes a few diary entries.


Research notebook, 1920
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 119
Extent: 1 vol.

Diary for 1922, used for research notes, 1922
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 120
Extent: 1 vol.

Research notebook, 1926
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 121
Extent: 1 vol.

Single sheet of notes on directional wireless telegraphy, c.1910
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 122
Extent: 1 leaf

A.2.4   Personal papers and memorabilia, 1895-1933

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 123-126


Miscellaneous personal papers and correspondence, 1895-1933
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 123
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Royal Navy Service Certificate, 1895
  • Pass to all Marconi stations, 1903
  • letter from Beatrice Marconi asking Kemp to look after Guglielmo, as she is worried about his health, n.d.
  • telegram from Guglielmo Marconi announcing the birth of a daughter [Degna], 1908
  • telegram from 'Marconi, Bologna' requesting news of the 'real condition' of Marconi, n.d.
  • telegrams of condolence to Kemp's family from Marconi and the company, on Kemp's death, with other papers concerning his funeral and gravestone, 1933
  • miscellaneous press cuttings and printed papers, 1901-31

Album of press cuttings on the bombardment of Alexandria, 1882
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 124
Extent: 1 album

Album of press cuttings on a Naval Review at New York, 1893
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 125
Extent: 1 album

Scope and Content:

A faded photograph of Kemp and an unidentified man is on the front cover.


Mounted press cuttings relating to the 25th anniversary of the transatlantic signal, many with particular reference to Kemp, and other biographical press cuttings about Kemp 1926-31
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 126
Extent: 1 folder

A.2.5   Photographs, c.1873-c.1930

Shelfmarks: MSS. Photogr. c. 237-240


Photographs relating to Kemp's Naval career, c.1873-c.1895
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 237
Extent: 1 box

Photographs predominantly relating to wireless telegraphy, c.1900-c.1930
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 238
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of stations and equipment; Kemp; Marconi; staff and staff groups (one an early group including Marconi and Kemp); and a photograph of Benghazi inscribed to Kemp by Marconi, 1911.


Albums of photographs, c.1900-c.1930
Shelfmark: MSS. Photogr. c. 239-240
Extent: 2 albums

Scope and Content:

Include images of stations and equipment and of Marconi.

A.3   Early demonstrations and tests, 1896-c.1920


Scope and Content:

Papers relating to significant episodes in the early years of wireless telegraphy.

A.3.1   Papers relating to early experiments, 1896-8

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 127-128


Notebook containing draft [in Italian] in Marconi's hand of the specification for his first patent for wireless telegraphy [12039/1896], and draft letters [in English] from Marconi to William Preece and Mr. Wynne, discussing proposed experiments in Cardiff and the results of work in Italy, 1896-7
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 127
Extent: 1 vol.

Papers relating to Marconi's association with William Preece, 1896-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 128
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • letters from Preece to Marconi (and one from P. Tremain, another official at the General Post Office), discussing experimental work, 1896-8
  • copies and transcripts of letters from Marconi to Preece, 1896-8
  • draft speech of thanks to Preece and other GPO officials, c.1896

A.3.2   1896-7 Salisbury Plain experiments, 1896-1909

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 129


Scope and Content:

Some of Marconi's earliest experiments took place on Salisbury Plain, including demonstrations for the General Post Office and for the Royal Navy. For further information, see MarconiCalling.


Papers relating to Salisbury Plain experiments, 1896-1909
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 129
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:
  • correspondence from Captain Henry B. Jackson to Marconi, discussing arrangements for the Salisbury Plain experiments and referring to other experiments, 1896-8
  • telegram from Preece placing Kemp and Royal Engineers at Marconi's service for the experiments, 1897
  • letter from Sophia W. Henley about the use of her bungalow for accommodation by Marconi and Kemp, 1897
  • letter from Bernard Baden-Powell about the return of apparatus lent for the experiments, 1897
  • manuscript copy of report by H.R. Kempe of the GPO on the experiments in September 1896, with covering letter from the GPO, 1909
  • photocopies of two reports by Kempe on the same (one a further copy of the above), with related letter from Preece to Lamb, 1896

A.3.3   Dover experiments, 1897

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 130


Typescript drafts of 'Report on Recent Experiments with the so called Wireless Telegraphy', relating to experiments at Dover, Oct. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 130
Extent: 1 folder

A.3.4   Bristol Channel experiments, 1897

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 131-132


Scope and Content:

These were the first experiments of wireless telegraphy conducted by Marconi across water, from Lavernock near Cardiff to Flat Holme in the Channel, and then to Brean Down near Weston-Super-Mare. For further information, see MarconiCalling.


News cutting (with later typescript copy) about proposed tests across the Bristol Channel, 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 131
Extent: 1 folder

Morse tapes of messages sent during Bristol Channel trials, mounted on boards, 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 132
Extent: 2 boards
Medium: Tapes cut and mounted on boards

A.3.5   La Spezia and other Italian experiments, 1897-1901

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 133


Scope and Content:

For background information, see MarconiCalling.


Papers relating to experiments in Italy, 1897-1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 133
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • map showing area of the Gulf of Spezia where the experiments took place, with places of transmission and reception of signals marked [dated 30 Sept. 1897 but the principal experiments took place in July], 1897
  • receipt signed by Marconi for 3000 lire from the Italian Navy, 1897
  • news extract and cutting about the experiments at La Spezia and later work in Italy, 1897, 1901

A.3.6   South Coast and Isle of Wight experiments, 1897-1901

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 134-142


Scope and Content:

The world's first fixed wireless station was set up by Marconi at the Royal Needles Hotel on the Isle of Wight. He conducted experiments from there and in the vicinity, also establishing stations at Madeira House Hotel in Bournemouth, later replaced by the Haven Station at Poole. For further information, see MarconiCalling.


Notes by Kemp on experimental transmissions from a tug in Alum Bay to The Needles Station, Dec. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 134
Extent: 1 vol. [unbound]

Exercise book containing Morse tapes of experimental transmissions from a tug in Alum Bay to the Needles Station, Dec. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 135
Extent: 1 vol.

Scope and Content:

The book was originally used as an exercise book for school compositions, and the tapes have been pasted over the top. Inside the front cover is a sheet of notes in Marconi's hand on the experiments, and inside the back cover is a note by Kemp of a code to indicate the quality of signals received.


Sketches of the Solent illustrating the experimental transmissions, showing the Needles Hotel, Alum Bay and the positions of the tug, Dec. 1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 136
Extent: 2 maps on tracing paper

Rolled Morse tape of early wireless signals marked 'Telegram to [Mr. G?] from Alum Bay', in envelope, c.1897
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 137
Extent: 1 rolled tape and envelope

Morse tapes of signals transmitted between the Royal Needles Hotel and Madeira House, Bournemouth, 3 March 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 138
Extent: 2 sheets

Scope and Content:

Tapes pasted onto large sheets, certified by Marconi (for Needles to Madeira House signals) and Kemp (for Madeira House to Needles signals).


Miscellaneous papers, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 139
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Letter from Kemp at the Royal Needles Hotel to Marconi at Madeira House, discussing their experimental work, May 1898
  • Print of postcard of Bournemouth, with aerial at Madeira House drawn in by Kemp, c.1898
  • Notes of transmitting and receiving equipment used at the Haven Hotel, Poole and Niton Station, Isle of Wight, with further notes on jiggers (nos. 224 and 198), c.1898

Morse tapes of messages between St. Catherine's and Poole, 1900
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 140
Extent: 3 sheets

Morse tapes of experimental messages between Niton and the Lizard, 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 141
Medium: Tapes mounted on board
Extent: 1 board

Demonstrations to Lord Kelvin and Lord Tennyson, with related items, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 142
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • note, in Lord Kelvin’s hand, of the ‘ether’ or wireless message he sent in June 1898 [the first ever paid wireless telegram] from the Royal Needles Hotel for the information of James Blyth, a colleague in Glasgow, with a further note (on a Post Office Telegraphs form) instructing that the same message be sent to Lord Rayleigh at Downing Street and Preece at the GPO, 1898
  • draft letter from Marconi to Lord Kelvin, thanking him for proposing Marconi for membership of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, and advising of the removal of the Bournemouth Station, 1898
  • note (on Post Office Telegraphs form) of message from Lord Tennyson to Tennyson, Eton College, sent 'by Marconi's aether telegraph Alum Bay to Bournemouth paid commercially thence by wire', 1898
  • record of signals to and from the Alum Bay Station, including Kelvin's and Tennyson's, Apr.-May 1898
  • news cuttings about experiments on the Isle of Wight and South Coast, 1898

A.3.7   Ballycastle-Rathlin Island experiments, 1898

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 143-144


Scope and Content:

For background information, see MarconiCalling.


Map of Rathlin Island and Ballycastle, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 143
Extent: 1 tracing

Map of Rathlin Island showing possible positions for wireless stations, c.1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 144
Extent: 1 tracing, framed

A.3.8   Kingstown Regatta demonstration, 1898

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 145-147


Scope and Content:

This was the first use of wireless telegraphy to report a sporting event, off the Irish coast at Dublin. For background information, see MarconiCalling.


Messages sent during the Kingstown Regatta, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 145
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Copies of the messages sent, made in pencil presumably at the time of transmission. Each message is on a separate sheet of plain paper.


Press coverage of the Regatta, 21-22 July 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 146
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • two copies of the Dublin Daily Express for 21 July
  • cutting of the Regatta article alone in the Dublin Daily Express for 21 July, annotated as an exhibit for a court case in the US
  • copy of the Dublin Daily Express for 22 July
  • cutting from the Electrical Review for 22 July

Publications about the demonstration, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 147
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Wireless Telegraphy and Journalism: commemorative booklet published by the Dublin Daily Express,
  • La Telegrafia Marconi e Il Giornalismo: commemorative booklet published in Bologna (largely a translation of the Daily Express booklet)

A.3.9   Osborne House installation, 1898

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 148


Scope and Content:

Full background information on this first Royal use of wireless telegraphy, including images of the messages, is given in MarconiCalling.


Messages sent between Osborne House and the yacht Osborne, with related papers, 1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 148
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • messages written in pencil on Naval Telegraphs and Signals message forms
  • draft letter from Marconi to Major Carr, reporting on the results obtained
  • cutting from the Electrical Review reporting on the installation

A.3.10   English Channel experiments and demonstrations, 1899

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 149-153


Scope and Content:

Experiments in cross-channel transmission coincided with meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and its French equivalent at Dover and Boulogne, and Marconi was quick to exploit this opportunity to publicise his work. See MarconiCalling.


Visitors Book for Wimereux Station, including copies of messages between Wimereux and Dover for the Associations, 1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 149
Extent: 1 vol.

Scope and Content:

Contains

  • list of visitors to the station, March-April 1899
  • transcripts of messages about arrangements for the exchange of messages between the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association Français pour l'Avancement des Sciences, Sept. 1899
  • [at back] transcripts of formal messages sent to Association Français pour l'Avancement des Sciences and to the Electrical Congress in Como, Sept. 1899
  • [at back] notes on experiments [at the Needles?], June [1899?]

Exercise book containing transcripts of messages received [at Wimereux] for further transmission, including the formal message to the Association Français pour l'Avancement des Sciences, July-Nov. 1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 150
Extent: 1 vol.

Morse tape of first message across the English Channel, 1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 151
Extent: 1 rolled tape and envelope

Morse tape of messages sent between Dover and Wimereux, 1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 152
Medium: Tapes cut and mounted on board
Extent: 1 board

Correspondence and papers, 1899
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 153
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • letters from J.A. Fleming to Jameson Davis [typescript copy] and Marconi [original], about experiments in Dover, including arrangements for the demonstration to the British Association meeting there, Aug. 1899
  • letter of congratulations from Agnes Baden-Powell to Marconi on his success in bridging the Channel, 1899
  • copy letter from Arthur Leslie requesting the transmission across the English Channel of a message on behalf of various U.S. newspapers, 1899
  • news cuttings and extracts about the cross-channel messages, 1899

A.3.11   U.S. experiments, 1899-1903

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 154, MS. Photogr. a. 21


Papers relating to early experiments and demonstrations in the United States, 1899-1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 154
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Annual Report of the Chief Signal Officer to the U.S. Secretary of War, including references to wireless telegraphy and experimental work under Marconi's supervision, 1899
  • telegram from Signal Officer Wildman conveying congratulations from Captain Squier on the previous day's work, 1899
  • telegram from Thomas Lipton about possible meeting with Marconi, 1899
  • note of message sent when establishing wireless communication from SS. Ponce to shore during Naval Parade in New York Harbor, with news cutting and extract reporting the event, 1899
  • letter from H. Cuthbert Hall to Marconi, reporting on difficulties encountered in reporting the 1901 Americas Cup Yacht Race owing to interference from rival companies, 1901
  • letter from W.W. Bradfield reporting further on the coverage of the same race, with a chart showing the positions of Marconi and other stations, 1901
  • letter from H. Cuthbert Hall enclosing cuttings about the Americas Cup Yacht Race, 1902-3

Photograph of yacht Shamrock II, with dedication to Marconi from Thomas Lipton, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. a. 21
Extent: 1 photograph

A.3.12   First transatlantic signal, 1901-2

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 155-160, MSS. Photogr. c. 241, d. 45


Scope and Content:

A full account of the milestone of achieving the first transatlantic signal is given in MarconiCalling.

Note: For further documents relating to this event, see MSS. Marconi 187-190.

Correspondence concerning preparations for the transatlantic signal attempt, Oct.-Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 155
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence about finding a site at Cape Race and obtaining masts for Cape Race and St. John's, Oct.-Nov. 1901
  • correspondence and papers about obtaining balloons and hydrogen to fill them, and shipping these to Newfoundland, including sample of material for the balloons, Nov. 1901
  • letter from Flood-Page advising Marconi of a letter of introduction to Sir Cavendish Boyle, Governor of Newfoundland, Nov. 1901
  • correspondence discussing arrangements for Marconi, Kemp and Paget's travel to Newfoundland, Nov. 1901
  • list, in Marconi's hand, of necessary apparatus for the receiving station, [Nov.] 1901

Correspondence concerning the alleged infringement of the Anglo American Telegraph Company's rights to telegraphic communication in Newfoundland, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 156
Extent: 1 folder

Personal correspondence and letters of congratulation, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 157
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • draft letter from Marconi ('Markie') to 'Jumbo', giving his impressions of Newfoundland in light-hearted mood, and referring to experimental work; with (on the last page) a draft telegram to the company about not showing the system to the German Navy unless on a firm business proposal
  • correspondence with E.P. Morris about dining
  • draft letter to Mr. Holloway thanking him for a photograph of the site of the experiments
  • congratulatory telegram form the Canadian Minister of Finance on behalf of the Government
  • correspondence with Sir Robert Bond, Governor of Newfoundland, including congratulations and invitations to dine
  • letters from H.G. Burchill, Newfoundland Government Engineer, offering hospitality
  • congratulatory telegram from Flood-Page
  • congratulatory telegram from Alexander Graham Bell, also offering Marconi the use of his estate in Cape Breton for experimental work, with a draft telegram from Marconi to Graham Bell, in response to this or a later message
  • letter of congratulations from the Borough of Helston

Marconi's preliminary report to his company on his experiments in Newfoundland, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 158
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Includes a résumé of the experimental work leading up to receipt of signals; possible explanations for the failure to receive signals on the ordinary receiver; copies of correspondence about infringement of the Anglo American Telegraph Company's rights.


Menu for a dinner held in Marconi’s honour by the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, following the success of the Transatlantic tests, 13 Jan. 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 159
Extent: 1 menu

Scope and Content:

The ‘three dots’ signal is depicted crossing the ocean between British and American flags, and the menu is signed by noted scientists Alexander Graham Bell, Elihu Thomson and Michael Pupin.


News cuttings relating to the event, 1901-2
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 160
Extent: 1 folder

Photographs, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 241
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Mounted photographs of

  • raising the kite at Signal Hill
  • Cabot Tower with those involved in the experiment standing in front

Glass photographic negatives, Dec. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. d. 45
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Negatives of

  • Cabot Tower with those involved in the experiment standing in front
  • drawing of raising the kite at Signal Hill

A.3.13   First transatlantic message, 1902

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 161


Scope and Content:

Papers relating to the successful transatlantic transmission of full messages: for further information, see MarconiCalling.


Correspondence and papers, 1902-3
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 161
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence and papers about arrangements for sending first transatlantic wireless messages, 1902
  • draft letter from Marconi to Lord Minto, Governor-General of Canada, about sending a wireless message from Minto to King Edward VII to mark the occasion, 1902
  • messages about permission to publish the message to the King, 1902
  • drafts, in Marconi's hand, of greetings messages to be sent by transatlantic wireless, 1902
  • cable messages sent to and from Glace Bay, including messages of congratulation and on company business, 1902-3

A.3.14   Morse tapes of signals and messages for various experiments, 1900-4

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 162-165


Miscellaneous tapes, 1900 and n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 162
Extent: 18 rolled paper tapes

Scope and Content:

Most unidentified but one marked 'Dovercourt May 17 1900', another 'La Panne'.


Tapes of experimental messages, with related telegrams, Mar. 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 163
Medium: tapes and telegrams mounted on sheets

Tape for experiments between the ships Sicilia and Sardegna, between La Spezia and Gaeta, Jan. 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 164
Extent: 1 rolled paper tape in wooden box

Tapes referred to in a Statutory Declaration dated 1904 by G.L. Bullocke, 1903-4
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 165
Extent: 6 rolled paper tapes

A.3.15   Miscellaneous papers relating to early work on wireless telegraphy, 1896-1914

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 166-167


Correspondence and papers, 1896-1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 166
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • letter from the Italian Ambassador, General Annibale Ferrero, about Marconi's work, 1896
  • draft letter from Marconi to Ingeniere Malfati, ordering a coherer and relay, 1897
  • letters from Captain Kennedy discussing experimental work, including references to Salisbury Plain experiments and Marconi's demonstration at Channing School, 1897, 1901
  • letter from Henry Thompson of the Daily Mail, requesting an interview with Marconi about his system, 1897
  • translated extract from Étoile Belge about experiments by Marconi in the presence of the King and other members of the Belgian Royal Family, 1900
  • letter from A. Foster, South Western Railway booking clerk at Dorchester, commenting on Marconi's work, 1900
  • transcript of lecture by [Henry Hozier of Lloyd's?] about 'aetheric signalling' and wireless telegraphy, with particular reference to experiments conducted by Nevil Maskelyne, c.1901
  • correspondence and papers about jamming by Nevil Maskelyne of a demonstration of wireless telegraphy by Fleming at a lecture at the Royal Institution, 1903
  • letter from Andrew Gray to George Kemp about results obtained from Broomfield Road, 1905
  • press cutting about a paper by Lionel James on the value of De Forest system of wireless telegraphy, with comments by Preece and others, including reference to the Marconi system, 1905
  • leaflet about lecture by William Lynd on wireless telegraphy, especially Marconi's system, with news cuttings from Irish newspapers about the lectures and about the use of wireless telegraphy during the Kingstown Regatta, 1898 and n.d.
  • leaflet for lectures by Richard Kerr, including one on wireless telegraphy, 1913-14
  • poster for lecture by Mr. S.I. Willis on wireless telegraphy, 1902
  • advertisement for programme on Wireless Telegraphy given by Inv. Spec. Prof. Ant. Prati, 1912
  • correspondence between Marconi and Clive Wigram about a visit by the King and Queen to SY Elettra, with a letter from Marconi to Isaacs reporting on the occasion, 1922

Sheets of sunrise and sunset curves, for use in experiments, c.1900
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 167
Extent: 1 folder

A.3.16   Photographs, c.1896-c.1920

Shelfmarks: MS. Photogr. b. 61


Photographs of early equipment, c.1896-c.1920
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. b. 61
Extent: 1 box

A.4   The company and its early activities, 1896-1938


Scope and Content:

Papers relating to the establishment of the company and its early operation, including correspondence of some of its principal staff.

A.4.1   Formation, c.1896-1898

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 168


Papers concerning the formation of a wireless telegraph company, c.1896-1898
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 168
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • proposals for the formation of a company, c.1896-7
  • draft prospectuses for the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Ltd., 1897
  • correspondence between Marconi, H. Jameson Davis, J.C. Graham, William Preece and others, 1897-8

A.4.2   Marconi's company correspondence, 1901-3

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 169-173


Scope and Content:

Duplicating manuscript letter books of Marconi's correspondence on company matters: letters compiled by his secretaries, Wilfrid Blaydes [to 1903] and H. Kershaw [thereafter], for Marconi's personal signature, but include some letters signed by Blades and Kershaw.


May-Oct. 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 169
Extent: 1 vol.

Oct. 1901-Feb. 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 170
Extent: 1 vol., unbound

June 1901-May 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 171
Extent: 1 vol.

Nov. 1902-Jan. 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 172
Extent: 1 vol.

Mar.-Dec. 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 173
Extent: 1 vol.

A.4.3   Fleming's correspondence with Marconi, 1900-27

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 174


Scope and Content:

J.A. Fleming's correspondence as Scientific Adviser to the company, and personal correspondence with Marconi. See elsewhere for further correspondence of Fleming on specific topics.


1900-27
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 174
Extent: 1 box

A.4.4   Correspondence of and relating to H. Cuthbert Hall, 1901-8

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 175-177


Scope and Content:

Hall was Manager and later Managing Director of the company.


Hall's correspondence with Marconi, 1901-3
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 175
Extent: 1 box

Hall's correspondence with Marconi, 1904-6
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 176
Extent: 1 box

Correspondence concerning Hall's employment with and resignation from the company, 1906-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 177
Extent: 1 box

A.4.5   Papers concerning the company's activities, 1896-1938

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 178-180


Reports and correspondence on general activities, 1899-1908
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 178
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • reports and correspondence from stations, July-Aug. 1899
  • weekly reports to the Directors by Henry Saunders [Manager?], Aug.-Oct. 1899
  • test room reports by C.S. Franklin, 1900
  • reports of orders for equipment, mostly from the company's departments and stations, 1900-1
  • correspondence from H. Jameson Davis, discussing various aspects of early experimental work, 1896-8
  • correspondence of E.A.N. Pochin, Engineer, on various technical matters and about the termination of his contract with the company, 1901-2
  • miscellaneous correspondence, predominantly from staff of the company to Marconi, 1899-1908

Correspondence and papers concerning the Hawaiian Islands contract, 1899-1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 179
Extent: 1 box

Papers concerning other specific demonstrations, contracts and agreements, 1896-1938
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 180
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence with the War Office about a demonstration, 1896
  • letter from Elliott Brothers enquiring about purchasing wireless apparatus, 1897
  • correspondence and cutting about wireless apparatus installed at Mitcham Lane Fire Station, Streatham, 1900
  • correspondence from W.R. Elliott and A.D. Raine reporting on a contract in Chile, 1899, 1901
  • report by C.E. Rickard on a patent demonstration and possible contract in Malta, 1900
  • papers concerning the promotion of business in the U.S. and setting up the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America, 1899-1901
  • drafts of report on negotiations in progress for contracts, 1901
  • correspondence and agreements with the Government of Canada, 1901-5
  • correspondence and agreements with the Government of Newfoundland, 1903-11
  • first receipts for wireless telegrams on the Chelmsford-Amsterdam service, 1904
  • report on the Marconi Wireless Telegraph System, particular reference to contracts undertaken to date, 1905
  • letter from Bradfield to Round about arrangements from the Engineer to the Chilean Navy, 1908
  • papers relating to the provision of wireless equipment for the League of Nations, for a press service and later a broadcasting station, 1919-38

A.5   Stations and establishments, 1898-1952


Scope and Content:

Documents relating to some of the principal stations and other premises established by the company in the early decades of its existence.

A.5.1   The Haven Station, 1898-1925

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 181-186


Scope and Content:

This station was set up in Poole in 1898: more information is given in MarconiCalling.


Documents relating to the Haven Station, 1898-1925
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 181
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • news cutting about the move of the south coast station from Madeira House Hotel to the Haven Hotel, 1898
  • letter to Marconi from H.W. Allen about equipment for the Haven, 1898
  • letter to Marconi from J. Erskine-Murray about masts for the Haven, 1899
  • procès-verbal of messages to/from/overheard at the Haven, including from Portland Naval Yard, the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse and other ships, 1901
  • Morse tapes of signals received at the Haven Station, 1901
  • Haven Hotel bills, 1901-6
  • report and correspondence concerning a Thornycroft steam 'bus used for wireless telegraphy (and based at the Haven), with a photograph of the vehicle, 1901
  • correspondence between Kemp and Marconi about vacating the Haven Hotel, with list of equipment, 1925

Letter book for the Haven Station, June 1901-Jan. 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 182
Extent: 1 vol.

Letter book for the Haven Station, Jan.-Nov. 1902
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 183
Extent: 1 vol.

Letter book for the Haven Station, Nov. 1902-June 1903
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 184
Extent: 1 vol.

Letter book for the Haven Station, June 1903-Mar. 1904
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 185
Extent: 1 vol.

Correspondence of George Kemp at the Haven Station, 1903-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 186
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Predominantly letters from Kemp to Marconi and H. Kershaw.

A.5.2   Poldhu Station, 1900-34

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 187-190, MS. Photogr. c. 242


Scope and Content:

Established in 1900-1 as a station for the transatlantic experiments. See MarconiCalling.


Correspondence and papers, 1900-6
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 187
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes correspondence and papers on

  • finding a site for a long-distance station and the selection of Poldhu, 1900-1
  • technical matters including equipment for the station and construction of the masts, 1901
  • sending the transatlantic signal, 1901
  • a visit by Lord Kelvin, 1903
  • the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, 1903
  • other technical and administrative matters, 1902-6

Correspondents include

  • Guglielmo Marconi
  • S. Flood-Page
  • George S. Kemp
  • J.A. Fleming
  • H. Jameson Davis
  • H. Cuthbert Hall
  • R.N. Vyvyan

Reports by W.S. Entwistle, 1901-4
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 188
Extent: 1 box

Morse tapes of signals received at Poldhu Station, with miscellaneous news cuttings, 1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 189
Extent: 1 sheet

Photographs and postcards of the Poldhu Station, early 20th cent.
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 242
Extent: 1 folder

Maps and plans of the Poldhu Station, with related papers, 1906-34
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 190
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • tenders and associated plans for galvanized iron shed, 1906
  • plan of arrangement of h.f. primary circuit, 1909
  • [plan?] of reflector, 1922
  • plans and maps of the site, 1911 and n.d.
  • report on the possible sale of the site and buildings, 1934

A.5.3   Cape Cod Station, 1901-16

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 191


Scope and Content:

See MarconiCalling.


Correspondence and reports on the setting up and operation of the Cape Cod Station, 1901-6, 1916
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 191
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • recommendations by J.A. Fleming on selecting the site and equipping the station, 1901
  • reports by Marconi on his selection of the Cape Cod site and other aspects of a visit to America, 1901
  • proceedings of an ordinary meeting of the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, referring to wireless telegraphy and particularly a press visit to the Cape Cod Station, 1903
  • four photographs of the station showing buildings and the original ring of masts, each signed to Mr. G.S. Kemp [from] G. Marconi, c.1901
  • photograph of the Marconi towers, 1916

A.5.4   Glace Bay and Louisberg Stations, 1902-26

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 192, MS. Photogr. b. 62


Scope and Content:

Glace Bay was the site of the transatlantic station in Canada: see MarconiCalling. Later a separate transatlantic receiving station was set up in Louisberg, Glace Bay becoming the transmitting station.


Correspondence and papers concerning Glace Bay and other Canadian stations, 1902-16, 1926
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 192
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • agreements with the Canadian Government relating to wireless telegraph services, 1902, 1911, 1915
  • list and map of Canadian stations, c.1905
  • letters of attorney for Marconi to act for the company in Canada, 1909-10
  • correspondence between Marconi and Sir Edward Morris, Prime Minster of Newfoundland, about a proposed wireless telegraph installation at St. John's, Newfoundland, 1911
  • plan of the Glace Bay Station Estate, 1911
  • correspondence between Marconi and Vyvyan about work at Glace Bay, 1902-3
  • draft letter from Marconi to Moberly Bell at The Times about temporary loss of the news service from Glace Bay because of problems with equipment, 1903
  • diary by Eileen O'Brien of her visit to Glace Bay with Guglielmo and Beatrice Marconi, 1907
  • draft letter from Marconi to Cuthbert Hall about a fire at Glace Bay and a letter of sympathy from Sydney Buxton, the Postmaster General, about the fire, 1909
  • regular reports on the working of the Glace Bay Station and on the construction and working of the Louisberg Station, 1912-16
  • correspondence between Marconi and Isaacs about liaison with the Canadian company, 1914
  • correspondence and reports on interference from the Telefunken station at Nauen, 1914-16
  • news cutting on the obsolescence of the Glace Bay and Louisberg stations, 1926
  • postcards of the short wave transmitter at the Drummondville Station, Quebec, c.1926?

Photographs of Glace Bay Station, 1902-12
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. b. 62
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of

  • the station, including the towers under construction, 1902
  • Marconi and staff at the station in snow, 1902
  • the interior of Poldhu Station, 1901 and the exterior of the Admiralty Station at St. Mary's, Scilly, n.d., mounted on the same board as Glace Bay photographs
  • Guglielmo and Beatrice Marconi with Barnaby O'Brien at Glace Bay, with copies of first messages transmitted by wireless telegraphy from England to Canada mounted on same boards; also other photographs of the Marconis, Eileen O'Brien, and places they visited in Canada, 1907
  • staff at Glace Bay, with identification key on verso and later copy print with further identification key on card (with some variations from the other), 1908
  • interior and exterior views, including a few of staff, 1908-14

A.5.5   Clifden and Letterfrack Stations, 1904-22

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 193-196, MS. Photogr. d. 46


Scope and Content:

Clifden Station on the west coast of Ireland was set up to deal with commercial transatlantic wireless traffic: see MarconiCalling. As in the Canadian counterpart stations, a separate receiving station was later built at Letterfrack and Clifden became a transmitting station only.


Correspondence and papers, 1904-22
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 193
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises correspondence papers about the identification of sites, construction and operation of the stations at Clifden and Letterfrack, including

  • telegram sent by Marconi to the Dublin Evening Mail on the occasion of the opening of the Transatlantic Wireless Service, 1907
  • analysis of wireless traffic between Clifden and Glace Bay, 1907-8
  • lease of land for the station, 1913
  • letters from Kemp about work at Letterfrack, 1911, 1913
  • news cuttings about the destruction of the station and Marconigram about activity of national troops and irregulars in the area, 1922

Photographs, 1905-19
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. d. 46
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises photographs of

  • Clifden Station, including some of staff, 1905
  • visit to Clifden by the Viceroy, Lord Aberdeen, with his wife and daughter, 1906
  • Clifden Station, including some of staff and one of men observing a total eclipse of the sun, 1911-14
  • Letterfrack Station, c.1911-13
  • Alcock and Brown on the Clifden Station railway, and of their plane including one after crash-landing, 1919
  • Clifden Station during or immediately after the attack upon it, 1922
  • unidentified coastal views, n.d.

Map of the site of Clifden Station, showing the position of the aerial, c.1910
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 194
Extent: 1 map

Map of the site of Clifden Station, 1922
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 195
Extent: 1 map (rolled)

Maps of the layout of Letterfrack Station, 1916
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 196
Extent: 1 roll of maps

A.5.6   Other early stations and installations, 1901-29

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 197


Documents concerning various installations in Britain and overseas, 1901-29
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 197
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • copies of telegrams and original circular letter about successful communication between the Lizard and St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight, 1901
  • letter from Fleming about need for secrecy over Niton-Lizard work, 1901
  • correspondence with Hall and Gray about ships (including the Kaiser Wilhelm) signalling to the Lizard and other shore stations, 1901
  • list of apparatus sent to the Lizard, 1902
  • correspondence from Fleming about experimental simultaneous transmission between more than two stations including the Lizard and Poldhu, 1903
  • correspondence relating to wireless telegraphy in the Isles of Scilly, including the Admiralty Station, a proposed vessel-based station, and a temporary service between the Admiralty Station and Poldhu owing to the breaking down of the Post Office cable, 1901-4
  • correspondence about a proposed station at Goonhilly, 1904
  • draft letter from Marconi to Kemp about his departure for Crookhaven to continue long distance experiments between there and Poldhu, and giving instructions about work required at Poldhu, 1901
  • letters from P.J. Woodward reporting on experimental work at Crookhaven, 1901
  • correspondence from Hall to Marconi about an agreement to receive and transmit messages from HMS Ophir at Crookhaven, 1901
  • correspondence about possible sites for stations at Ennismore and Cashel, 1904-5
  • letters and reports from E.A. Pochin about the Dovercourt Station, 1901
  • report of experiments between Frinton and Withernsea stations, 1902
  • telegrams about arranging accommodation at Frinton for Marconi, 1904
  • papers concerning the Broomfield Station, Chelmsford, including reports on experimental work, plans and details of masts, and discussion (especially with the GPO) of a wireless service to Amsterdam, with later discussion of obstructions by the Post Office of early wireless schemes, 1904-5, 1924
  • reports and correspondence from the station at Waterloo, Liverpool, 1906
  • letter from Kemp at the Waterloo Station, reporting on work there and at the Seaforth Barracks Station, 1910
  • letters from Kemp to Marconi about setting up a station at Fraserburgh, and about a break-in there, 1903, 1906
  • papers relating to wireless stations at Coltano and Bari, 1902-5
  • papers concerning the provision of wireless stations and services in Russia, 1901-22
  • correspondence concerning shares in the Societé Russe de Telegraphes et de Telephones sans Fil, 1925-9
  • correspondence about a concession for the establishment of a wireless station in the Bermudas, for which Fessenden was said to have applied, 1904

A.5.7   Carnarvon and Towyn Stations, 1913-24

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 198, MS. Photogr. c. 243


Scope and Content:

The stations at Carnarvon and Towyn eventually took over the transatlantic wireless service from those at Clifden and Letterfrack.


Correspondence and papers, 1913-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 198
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence from H.J. Round about experimental work at Towyn, 1913
  • papers concerning a banquet to mark completion of the transatlantic station at Carnarvon, including a draft of Marconi's speech, 1914
  • letters to Marconi about the sale of Sir William Preece's house at Carnarvon, 1914
  • correspondence and reports on tests, 1914-17
  • booklets on the Carnarvon High-Power Wireless Station and the transatlantic receiving station at Towyn, c.1923
  • typescripts of articles on the stations, 1921-3
  • wiring diagram of 'GLC' circuit for Carnarvon, 1930

Photographs of Carnarvon and Towyn Stations, 1923-4
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 243
Extent: 1 box

A.5.8   The English-Continental Wireless Telegraph Service, c.1920-1935

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 199, MS. Photogr. c. 244


Documents relating to the English-Continental Wireless Telegraph Service, c.1920-1935
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 199
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • descriptive leaflets about the service, its control centre at Radio House in London, the receiving centre at Brentwood and transmitting centre at Ongar, c.1920
  • souvenir brochures for the service, c.1920
  • documents relating to a visit to the stations and Radio House by the Industrial Group of the House of Commons, including souvenir, draft speech by Marconi and a printed address by Godfrey Isaacs, 1923
  • souvenir programmes for visits to Ongar and Brentwood by the International Broadcasting Union and the Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1934-5

Photographs of Ongar and Brentwood Stations, 1923
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 244
Extent: 1 folder

A.5.9   Photographs of stations and establishments, c.1897-c.1950

Shelfmarks: MSS. Photogr. b. 63-64, c. 245-250, d. 47


Photographs of stations and establishments, c.1897-c.1920
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. b. 63
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Most mounted on boards, with some images of equipment on the same boards; includes photographs of stations and establishments at

  • Haven Hotel, Poole
  • Niton/St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight
  • Ladywood Cottage, Osborne and the Royal Yacht Osborne, Isle of Wight, 1898
  • Dover Town Hall
  • North Foreland
  • Bar Lightship
  • Mitcham Lane Fire Station, Streatham
  • The Lizard
  • Poldhu
  • Frinton-on-Sea (Training School)
  • Waterloo, near Liverpool (Training School)
  • Mill Hill School, London
  • Broomfield
  • Holyhead
  • Leafield, 1914
  • Devizes, 1914
  • Alderney, Channel Islands
  • Ballybunion, Ireland
  • Crookhaven, Ireland
  • Rosslare, Ireland
  • Wimereux, near Boulogne, France
  • Antibes, France
  • Caloi, Corsica
  • La Panne, Belgium
  • Bari, Italy
  • Coltano, Italy
  • Messina, Italy
  • Villa San Giovanni, Italy
  • Berne, Switzerland
  • Hawaii
  • Ambrizette, Angola
  • Banana, Congo Free State
  • Cape Breton, Canada
  • Cape Cod, USA
  • Long Beach Hotel (for International Yacht Races), 1901.

Album of photographs of installations and establishments of Radiotelegrafica Argentina, Buenos Aires, 1924
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 245
Extent: 1 album

Album of photographs of English Electric Marconi Argentina premises, c.1950
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. b. 64
Extent: 1 album

Album of photographs of the building of the station at Sepitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1925
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 246
Extent: 1 album

Photographs of other stations in South America, 1925-38
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 247
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of

  • inauguration of Lima Broadcasting Station, Peru, 1925
  • inauguration of Radio Rosario, 1938
  • 'El Progresso' Station near Lima, c.1927
  • Yurimaguas and Hablanaves Stations, Peru, c.1925
  • Puntas Arenas Station, Chile, c.1930

Album of photographs of Stavanger Wireless Station and more generally of Norway and Denmark, 1913-15
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 248
Extent: 1 album

Album of photographs of Stavanger Wireless Station, c.1920
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 249
Extent: 1 album

Album of photographs of premises and equipment of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, c.1945
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 250
Extent: 1 album

Album of photographs of the construction of the wireless station at Newcastle, New Brunswick, Canada, 1913-14
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. d. 47
Extent: 1 album

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of associated stations at Ballybunion, Ireland and Horsea Island, Portsmouth. These stations were not run by Marconi.

A.5.10   Other company premises, 1901-52

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 200-203, MS. Photogr. c. 251


Papers relating to the Marconi Works in Chelmsford and London, 1906-52
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 200
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • reprint of article on the new Marconi Works at Dalston, London, 1906
  • valuation and report on the Dalston Works, 1908
  • brochure on the new Marconi Works in New Street, Chelmsford, 1912
  • miscellaneous papers relating to the New Street Works, 1925-52

Photographs of Hall Street and New Street Works, Chelmsford, c.1900-c.1912
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 251
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs showing the works in production and of staff groups.


Papers relating to the company's offices at Marconi House, Strand and Electra House, Embankment, 1912-37
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 201
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Articles, brochures and other papers.


Correspondence and brochures about training schools, 1901-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 202
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence about the training school at Frinton-on-Sea, 1901-2
  • brochure for the Operating Department Telegraph School in Radio House, Wilson Street, London, 1923
  • brochures for the Marconi School of Wireless [Chelmsford College], c.1920-c.1930

Information sheets and booklets about the Mersea Island Corrosion Testing Station, 1934-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 203
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Articles, brochures and other papers.

A.6   Wireless policy, 1899-1947

A.6.1   Correspondence and papers concerning national and international wireless policy, 1899-1932

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 204-206


Scope and Content:

Includes correspondence with the General Post Office, about various Bills and Acts, and conferences on wireless telegraphy.


1899-1905
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 204
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence between Marconi and Austen Chamberlain, Postmaster General, about the question of the relations that should exist between the company and the Government, 1903
  • drafts and copies of letters from Marconi to the Italian Minister of Marine, concerning the 1903 Berlin Conference on Radiotelegraphy, 1903-4
  • letters from Cuthbert Hall to the Prime Minister, A.J. Balfour, concerning the value of wireless telegraphy for Imperial defence, 1905

1906-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 205
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • papers relating to the 1906 Berlin Conference on Wireless Telegraphy, 1906
  • letter from the Postmaster General, Sydney Buxton to Marconi, commenting on the improvements and development of wireless telegraphy for international purposes, 1908
  • letter from Sydney Buxton to J. Henniker Heaton, cautioning against the use of wireless for confidential messages, 1908

1912-32
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 206
Extent: 1 folder

A.6.2    UK legislation and licensing, 1904-39

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 207-209


Bills, acts and reports of committees relating to wireless telegraphy, 1904-26
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 207
Extent: 1 folder

GPO licences to the company for wireless telegraphy, 1907-39
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 208
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes handbooks for wireless telegraph operators working installations licensed by the Postmaster General, 1908-9.


Correspondence with the GPO on licensing matters, including for experimental work, 1930-4
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 209
Extent: 1 box

A.6.3   Reports of international conferences and copies of international conventions, 1903-47

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 210-211


1903-25
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 210
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Procès-verbaux and Protocole Final of the Preliminary Conference at Berlin on Wireless Telegraphy, 1903
  • Report of the Select Committee on the 1906 Radiotelegraphic Convention, 1907
  • International Telegraph Convention of St. Petersburg and the International Telegraph Service Regulations: Lisbon Revision, 1908
  • International Telegraph Convention of St. Petersburg and Service Regulations: Paris Revision, 1925

1927, 1947
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 211
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington, 1927
  • Final Acts of the International Telecommunications and Radio Conferences at Atlantic City, with extracts and documents, 1947

A.7   World communications, 1897-1952

A.7.1   Various overseas wireless schemes, 1897-1932

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 212-214


Correspondence with the Italian Government regarding agreements for wireless services, 1897-1932
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 212
Extent: 1 box

Correspondence about a possible wireless installation in Iceland, 1905-6
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 213
Extent: 1 folder

Correspondence about the provision of a wireless installation in the Falkland Islands, 1911-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 214
Extent: 1 box

A.7.2   Wireless schemes in Australia and New Zealand, 1902-23

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 215-217


Correspondence and papers concerning wireless schemes in Australia and New Zealand, 1902-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 215
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence about negotiations with Australian and New Zealand Governments
  • papers of Captain Walker, the company's representative in Australia and New Zealand
  • papers concerning the first wireless demonstration between Queenscliff, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania, 1906
  • plans of the Marconi station at Port Lonsdale

Other papers concerning wireless in Australia and New Zealand, 1905-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 216
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • applications for employment in Australia and New Zealand, 1905-6
  • list of news articles in Australian papers, 1905
  • new cuttings from Australian papers, 1907
  • souvenir poster of the first direct wireless messages from England to Australia, 1918
  • Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. proposal to establish a direct wireless service between Australia and England, and related papers, 1920-2

Australian Parliamentary debates relating to wireless telegraphy, 1910-12
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 217
Extent: 1 box

A.7.3   The first Transatlantic wireless service, 1900-8

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 218


Correspondence and papers, 1900-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 218
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • report on a Parliamentary debate on Imperial telegraphic communication, 1900
  • press cuttings about transatlantic wireless communication, 1902-4
  • map showing Marconi transatlantic stations and ship and shore stations, organised as a wireless exchange for carrying on a commercial service, 1907
  • petition of right by the Marconi companies regarding the provision of wireless services in Canada, 1907
  • correspondence about the inauguration of the service, including telegrams of congratulation from Lord Kelvin, Earl Grey, Alfonso Marconi, Luigi Solari, J.A. Fleming, Sydney Buxton and the Royal Institution, and communications from newspapers about sending messages via the service, Oct. 1907
  • report on the opening and running of the service, 1907
  • booklet advertising the transatlantic wireless telegraph service, c.1907

A.7.4   The Imperial Wireless Scheme and the Marconi Enquiry, 1911-23

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 219-229


Scope and Content:

For background information, see MarconiCalling.


Documents relating to the Imperial Wireless Scheme, 1911-15
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 219
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • notes on the design of high power wireless stations for the Scheme, c.1911
  • letters from Godfrey Isaacs to Marconi concerning negotiations with the Government about the contract for the Scheme, 1911
  • newspaper advertisement taken out by the company promoting the Scheme following the award of the contract, 1912
  • technical data for high power wireless stations for the Scheme, 1912
  • world maps showing the intended coverage of the Scheme, 1913
  • Canadian Parliamentary debates about radiotelegraphic communication between Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, 1913
  • photographs of masts and anchor blocks at Abu Sueir, constructed for the Scheme, 1915

Government reports relating to the Imperial Wireless Scheme, 1911-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 220
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Minutes of Proceedings of the Imperial Conference, 1911
  • Reports of the Postmaster General, 1911-12 and 1913-14

Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited (Agreement), Oct. 1912-Feb. 1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 221
Extent: 1 box

Minutes of Evidence from the Select Committee on Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, Limited, Agreement (1913), Mar.-June 1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 222
Extent: 1 box

Official documents and reports relating to the Enquiry and the Advisory Committee's investigations, 1912-14
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 223
Extent: 1 box

Papers relating to Marconi's evidence to the Select and Advisory Committees, 1912-13
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 224
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence from J.A. Fleming, including a memorandum on the scientific evidence before the Committee, 1912-13
  • drafts, proofs and copies of Marconi's evidence, including French and Spanish translations, 1912-13

Minutes of Evidence taken before and Report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the charges against Lord Murray of Elibank, 1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 225
Extent: 1 folder

Press cuttings, Aug. 1912-June 1913
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 226-228
Extent: 3 boxes

Miscellaneous items relating to the Enquiry and its aftermath, 1913-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 229
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Cartoon in ink and watercolour on silk, relating to the Marconi Enquiry and the Liberal party's involvement, c.1913
  • letter of congratulation from Flood-Page to Marconi on the outcome of the Enquiry, 1913
  • literature about the Marconi Scandal and alleged frauds, compiled by J.W. Hamilton, 1921-3

A.7.5   General correspondence and papers regarding international communications, 1909-34

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 230-231


General correspondence and papers on Imperial and international communications, 1909-11, 1919-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 230
Extent: 1 box

General correspondence and papers on Imperial and international communications, 1924-34
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 231
Extent: 1 box

A.7.6   The development of beam radio, 1916-31

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 232-239, MS. Photogr. c. 252


Scope and Content:

For background information, see MarconiCalling.


Papers concerning early experimental work on short wave transmission, 1916-24
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 232
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence between Guglielmo Marconi and Godfrey Isaacs about experiments being conducted by Marconi in Italy [probably on short wave transmission], 1916
  • reports by C.S. Franklin on short wave experiments at Rome and Carnarvon, 1916-18
  • correspondence between Guglielmo Marconi, C.S. Franklin and Isaacs about short wave experiments, 1922-3
  • messages between Marconi, Franklin, Gray and others about short wave experiments, 1923
  • report by Marconi on the results of the long distance receiving tests carried out on board the SY Elettra with 100 metres continuous waves, transmitted by the experimental station at Poldhu, 1923
  • souvenir copy of message transmitted between Poldhu and Cape Town using the beam system, 1924

Papers of Guglielmo Marconi on long distance short wave experimental work, 1923-5
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 233
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes reports on strength of reception of signals between various stations.


Correspondence and papers on short wave experimental work, 1922-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 234
Extent: 1 box

Drafts and copies of descriptive leaflets and other descriptive literature on the beam system, 1925-8
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 235
Extent: 1 box

Agreements and licences relating to experimental work and commercial beam stations, 1916-28
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 236
Extent: 1 folder

Papers relating to beam stations in the UK, 1925-30
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 237
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • lecture about the wireless telegraphy and the Dorchester beam station, 1925
  • press releases and reports about the Bodmin and Bridgwater beam stations, including detailed descriptions, 1926
  • Agreement for electricity supply to Grimsby Station, 1926
  • press releases and reports on the Central Radio Office and the beam stations at Dorchester and Somerton, in connection with press visits, 1927
  • notes on the Dorchester and Somerton stations, 1930
  • souvenir programme for Imperial Conference delegates' visit to Dorchester and Bridgwater stations, 1930
  • souvenir programme for Empire Press Conference delegates' visit to Dorchester and Somerton stations, 1930

Papers relating to specific overseas beam stations and services and to the general provision of worldwide beam services, 1924-31
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 238
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises papers ( including agreements, press releases, and congratulatory messages) relating to the establishment of beam services to

  • South Africa, 1924-7
  • Canada, 1926-7
  • Australia, 1926-8
  • India, 1927-8
  • Egypt, 1927-31
  • Spain and Portugal, 1930
  • general information on beam wireless, lists of stations with dates of opening and operating wavelengths, and maps showing range of services, c.1925-8

Press cuttings, typescript and published articles on world communications, especially the beam system, 1922-31
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 239
Extent: 1 box

Photographs of beam stations in Britain and worldwide, 1924-8
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 252
Extent: 1 box

A.7.7   The formation of Cable and Wireless, c.1922-1938

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 240-241


Scope and Content:

Background information is given in MarconiCalling.


Papers relating to the formation of Cables and Wireless Ltd (afterwards Cable and Wireless Ltd.) and Imperial and International Communications Ltd., and the early years of their existence, 1925-38
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 240
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • papers relating to the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, 1928
  • draft minutes of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company Board meetings relating to the formation of the merger company, 1928-9
  • annual reports and AGM papers for Cable(s) and Wireless Ltd., 1929-32
  • articles, reports and press releases, 1925-31
  • news cuttings, 1927-38

Promotional literature for 'Via Marconi' international wireless services and Imperial and International Communications Ltd.'s services, c.1922-c.1935
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 241
Extent: 1 box

A.7.8   Press releases, 1921-52

Shelfmarks: MS. Marconi 242


Press releases on world communications, 1921-52
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 242
Extent: 1 box

A.8   Maritime, 1897-1950


Scope and Content:

Papers relating to marine applications and the development of marine wireless services.

A.8.1   The development of maritime wireless services, 1897-1950

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 243-254


Records concerning the establishment and early administration and operation of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd., c.1898-1924
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 243
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • drafts of agreement for the setting up of MIMC Co. Ltd. by the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company, c.1898
  • draft licence for use of patents of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company, 1900
  • notices of share offers, 1900
  • statement of expenditure, 1901
  • MIMC Co. Ltd. General Orders, 1902
  • lists of ship and shore stations controlled by MIMC Co. Ltd., and list of lantern slides of men-of-war, 1902
  • list of proposed sailings of ships fitted with Marconi equipment, 1903
  • auditor's report relating to ships' traffic including details for ship and shore stations operated as at 30 June 1903, 1904
  • correspondence concerning the resignation of Colonel Thys from his directorship of MIMC Co. Ltd., including a summary (in French) of the progress of wireless telegraphy to date and its maritime applications, 1906
  • MIMC Co. Ltd. Circular no. 106, listing worldwide shore and ship stations operated by or in connection with the company, 1907
  • blank agreement forms for installations and operators on ships, c.1910
  • Post Office Licence to establish wireless telegraph ship stations, partly filled out for the Arcadian, c.1910
  • blank forms relating to employment of wireless operators including agreement, permission to act as assistant wireless operator on board ship, Post Office certificate of proficiency in radiotelegraphy, conditions of employment for operators, and declaration of secrecy, c.1910
  • Marconi telegraph communication charts for the North Atlantic, Sept. 1911, Dec. 1913
  • lists of proposed sailings of outward and homeward bound ships fitted with Marconi telegraphs, indicating time up to which telegrams may be accepted, May-July 1913
  • list of trawlers fitted with Marconi apparatus, c.1924

Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd. General Orders, 1913
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 244
Extent: 1 vol.

Correspondence and papers regarding negotiations and contracts with the Admiralty, including tests, 1898-1901
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 245
Extent: 1 box

Correspondence and papers regarding negotiations and contracts with the Admiralty, including tests, 1902-5, c.1915
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 246
Extent: 1 box

Papers concerning lightship and lighthouse installations, 1899-1933
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 247
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • letter, cutting and Morse tape relating to tests between South Foreland Lighthouse and East Goodwin Lightship, 1899
  • photographs of light vessels at Tongue, Crosby, East Goodwin, South Goodwin and of a pilot vessel, c.1900
  • correspondence concerning the installation at Borkum Lighthouse, Germany, 1900
  • papers concerning the Nantucket Lightship installation, with a photograph, 1901-4
  • agreement with Trinity House for the provision of lighthouse and lightship installations, 1905
  • press cuttings, extracts and releases, 1921-5
  • papers concerning the International Conference on Lighthouses, including visits to Marconi premises, 1929

Papers concerning business with Lloyd's, 1897-1909
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 248
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • letter from Lloyd's about their possible interest in wireless telegraphy for communication with ships, 1897
  • agreement with Lloyd's, with related papers, 1901
  • papers concerning legal disputes between Lloyd's and the Marconi Companies, 1905-7

Papers relating to early trials at sea and wireless telegraphy services for ships, 1900-11
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 249
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • correspondence and papers about trials on the RMSS Princess Clementine, 1900-1
  • correspondence and papers about trials on the Lake Champlain and RMS Lucania, 1901
  • Marconigram to the Lake Champlain, 1901
  • letter from Andrew Gray to Marconi about the wavelength to be used on Marconi's return voyage on the SS Philadelphia, with the track chart of the Philadelphia showing points where Marconi received messages from Poldhu, and an article by Fleming giving the first notice of the 'daylight effect' on wireless transmission, 1902
  • papers about experiments on the Carlo Alberto, incorporating correspondence between Marconi and J.A. Fleming discussing the use of a magnetic detector, 1902
  • correspondence and papers about further trials and provision of services on the RMS Lucania and Campania, 1903-4
  • letter from Lee De Forest to Marconi about claims of distances achieved by wireless apparatus and issuing a challenge, with Marconi's response, 1905
  • reports of working of long distance telegraphs on board various ships, 1907
  • report of communications made on the Caronia, 1909
  • correspondence and report of trials on the Laurentic, 1911

Papers concerning the provision of wireless news services, 1899-1948
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 250
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • passenger list for the sailing of the SS St. Paul on 8 Nov. 1899, including the names of Marconi and his staff, 1899
  • proof and two clean copies of The Transatlantic Times, published on the St. Paul, 15 Nov. 1899
  • letters requesting Marconi's signature on copies of The Transatlantic Times, 1910
  • correspondence about an article to be written by Marconi for the Christmas edition of the Cunard Daily Bulletin, with a copy of the article, 1904
  • typescript copies of news messages to ships, 1909-19
  • guidelines for messages to be supplied from Poldhu, 1919
  • correspondence and papers about ocean news services, 1919-34
  • press cuttings about ocean news services, 1924-48
  • souvenir Marconigrams of messages between passengers on the Mauretania's maiden voyage and the King and Queen on the Empress of Britain, and booklet about the Marconi equipment installed on the ship, 1939

Issues of the ocean newspapers Cunard Bulletin and Cunard Daily Bulletin, 1903-10, 1920-2, 1933-9
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 251
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes typescript copies of messages for first issue, 1903.


Issues of various other ocean newspapers, 1907-33
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 252
Extent: 1 box

Papers relating to radio beacons, 1924-34
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 253
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • press releases, cuttings and articles on radio beacons, 1924-33
  • report on tests on SS Vestal, a Trinity House vessel, 1927
  • papers, press releases and cuttings about microwave radio beacons developed by Marconi, 1933-4

Press releases, cuttings and articles relating to maritime wireless telegraphy, 1920-50
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 254
Extent: 1 box

A.8.2   Sea Disasters and rescues: the RMS Titanic, 1904-14

Restrictions on Access: Select manuscripts: please contact Western Manuscripts to make arrangements to view these papers.

Scope and Content:

A full account of the Titanic disaster and the role played by wireless telegraphy is given in MarconiCalling, including a wide selection images of Titanic messages.

A.8.2.a   Administrative records of the company relating to the White Star Line and the Titanic, 1904-12

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 255-259


Correspondence concerning agreements with the White Star Line for provision of wireless services, and negotiations about payment for messages sent from the Titanic, 1904, 1909-12
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 255
Extent: 1 folder

Company correspondence in the aftermath of the sinking, 1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 256
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • telegrams to and from the American company and North American shore stations about attempts to obtain news of the disaster
  • correspondence with the Newfoundland Governor and the Canadian company about the Governor's inability to obtain news from the Cape Race Station
  • correspondence about the Birma operator being a nuisance during the Titanic emergency
  • correspondence and papers concerning Harold Bride and Jack Phillips, the Titanic's radio operators
  • correspondence with the General Post Office about its investigations into the event

Papers concerning the gathering of documents in preparation for the British Enquiry, 1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 257
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence with the American company about sending documentation for U.S. stations, the progress of the U.S. Enquiry, and sending the proceedings of the U.S. Enquiry
  • correspondence with Canadian company, about sending documentation for Canadian stations
  • correspondence with Brussels company, about sending documentation for their ships
  • correspondence with French company, about sending documentation for their ships
  • correspondence with German 'Debeg' company, about sending documentation for their ships
  • correspondence with French and Belgian companies, and copies of messages sent by these and other companies

Correspondence with the Board of Trade about the British Enquiry, with prepared statement and documents, 1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 258
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • correspondence
  • draft statement of George Turnbull, Deputy Manager of the Marconi International Marine Communication Company
  • printed letters from Bradfield, one with extracts from ships' reports and the other [2 copies] with a substitute procès-verbal for the Carpathia
  • substitute procès-verbaux for the Titanic and the Carpathia [2 printed versions]
  • printed copies of Masters' Service Messages received and sent by the Titanic [4 printed copies, 3 annotated]
  • Track and Communication Chart for the North Atlantic, Apr. 1912

Other papers, 1912-13
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 259
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Punch cartoon of Marconi
  • cartoon of Marconi published in the U.S.
  • correspondence about a Titanic benefit performance at the Hippodrome
  • booklet about an Engine Room Heroes' Memorial at Liverpool
  • draft letter from Marconi to William Harrison, proposing an article on the Titanic disaster and wireless telegraphy
  • Review of Reviews: WT Stead Memorial Number [Stead perished on the Titanic]
  • list of wireless stations giving their range in miles
  • company circular reminding operators of the necessity of using the correct forms for all communications
  • letter to the editor of the Globe about a leading article on the Lord Mersey's report, which the company considered to be unfair with regard to the manner of use of Marconi apparatus on board ships
  • note of the times of June sailings of the Amerika, President Lincoln and Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm [probably in connection with obtaining copies of their procès-verbaux]
  • photograph of Sydney Buxton and Llewellyn Smith attending the International Conference on the Safety of Life at Sea, 1913

A.8.2.b   Procès-verbaux of ship and shore stations, 1912

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 260-262


Procès-verbaux for ships in the vicinity of the Titanic at the time of the sinking
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 260
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

comprises procès-verbaux for

  • Amerika (original and typed extract)
  • Antillian (original)
  • Asian (original, with related papers)
  • Athenai (original in various forms)
  • Baltic (original, with related papers)
  • Californian (empty folder only: procès-verbal missing)
  • Canadian (original)
  • Caronia (original)
  • Carpathia (original, with two copies of typescript continuation compiled from other sources)
  • Celtic (original)
  • Cincinnati (original)
  • Empress of Britain (original)

Procès-verbaux for ships in the vicinity of the Titanic at the time of the sinking
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 261
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

comprises procès-verbaux for

  • Franconia (original)
  • Frankfurt (original)
  • Megantic (original, with covering note)
  • Mesaba (original, with related papers)
  • Minnehaha (original)
  • Minnewaska (original, with related papers)
  • Mount Temple (original)
  • Olympic (original, with related paper)
  • Parisian (original)
  • President Lincoln (original)
  • Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm (original)
  • Virginian (original)
  • Ypiranga (original, with covering letter)

Procès-verbaux for shore stations that handled wireless traffic relating to the disaster
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 262
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

comprises procès-verbaux for

  • Camperdown (original, with covering letter)
  • Cape Cod (typescript copy)
  • Cape Race (typescript summary)
  • Cape Sable (original, with covering letter)
  • Sable Island (original and typescript copy)
  • Sagaponack (typescript copies)
  • Seagate (typescript copy)
  • Siasconset (original)

A.8.2.c   Messages handled by ship and shore stations, 1912

A.8.2.c.1   Messages handled by ships

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 263-264


Messages relating to ice in the vicinity of the Titanic
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 263-264
Extent: 2 vols.

Scope and Content:

Two sets of copy messages about ice in the vicinity of the Titanic, distress messages following the collision with an iceberg, and messages from ships about coming to the aid of the stricken vessel.


Messages handled by Olympic and Carpathia stations
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 265
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Three messages only, between Olympic and Carpathia.

A.8.2.c.2   Messages handled by Camperdown Station

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 266-284


Operational messages
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 266-271
Extent: 6 boxes

Scope and Content:

Messages relating to shipping and to radio traffic, including enquiries and reports as to the current situation, and the difficulty of obtaining information.


Personal messages
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 272-278
Extent: 7 boxes

Scope and Content:

Personal messages to/from those on board ships in the vicinity of the Titanic, including survivors on the Carpathia.


Press messages
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 279-284
Extent: 6 boxes

Scope and Content:

Messages from the press seeking news and personal stories about the sinking.

A.8.2.c.3   Messages handled by other stations

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 285-286


Messages handled by Cape Cod, Cape Sable and Sagaponack stations
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 285
Extent: 1 box

Messages handled by Seagate and Siasconset stations
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 286
Extent: 1 box

A.8.2.d   Enquiry proceedings and reports, 1912-14

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 287-295


Typescript transcripts of proceedings of the US Senate Investigation, 1912
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 287-289
Extent: 3 boxes

Scope and Content:

1st, 2nd, 6th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th days only [possibly those days on which evidence pertaining to wireless telegraphy was heard].


US Senate Investigation Report and Proceedings, 1912
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 290
Extent: 1 vol.

Minutes of Evidence of the British Enquiry, 1912
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 291-292
Extent: 2 vols.

Report of the British Enquiry, 1912
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 293-294
Extent: 2 vols.

Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1914
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 295
Extent: 1 vol.

A.8.3   Other sea disasters and rescues, 1909-34

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 296-300


Papers relating to the sinking of the SS Republic, 1909
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 296
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Marconigrams about value of wireless in saving lives of those on board the Republic
  • reports by the wireless operators on the Republic and Baltic (Binns and Tattersall) about the events surrounding the disaster
  • menu and programme for dinner in honour of Binns and Tattersall
  • receipt for watch given to Binns
  • photograph of Binns receiving the watch from Marconi
  • photographs of the Republic, one autographed by Binns

Papers relating to the sinking of the Lusitania, 1915
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 297
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • issue of the Cunard Daily Bulletin for the Lusitania on her last outward voyage, 21 Apr. 1915
  • news messages received by the Lusitania on her last outward voyage
  • telegram from Beatrice Marconi to her husband Guglielmo, expressing relief at his escaping the Lusitania sinking
  • draft and copy of letter from Marconi to the Chairman of Cunard about the failure to refit the wireless aerial on the Lusitania prior to her sailing on her last outward voyage, with a copy of a letter from Godfrey Isaacs advising that he did not deliver the letter
  • Track and communication chart for the Lusitania and other vessels, May 1915, with separate key; made for the Lusitania Inquiry

Track and Communication Charts for the Lusitania and other vessels, May 1915
Shelfmark: MSS. Marconi 298-299
Extent: 1 folder, 1 roll

Scope and Content:

Compiled for the Lusitania Inquiry.


Other papers on sea disasters and rescues, 1916-34
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 300
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • Timely Rescues: list of marine disasters in which wireless figured, 1916
  • press releases relating to sea rescues and wireless involvement, 1921-34
  • reports on the loss of the Vestris, 1929

A.8.4   Photographs, c.1900-1929

Shelfmarks: MSS. Photogr. c. 253-254


Photographs of ships, some showing Marconi equipment, c.1900-1929
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 253
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of

  • RRS Discovery
  • RMS Empress of Britain
  • SS Kronprinz Wilhelm (view of Marconi cabin)
  • SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse
  • SS Kaiser Wilhelm II
  • RMS Lucania
  • RMS Lusitania
  • SS Minneapolis (exterior and Marconi cabin)
  • SS Minnetonka (Marconi cabin)
  • [SS?] Parisian
  • SS Philadelphia
  • RMSS Princesse Clementine (exterior, Marconi cabin and mast & sprit)
  • SS Samalia (operator G.D. Cowley in wireless cabin), 1929
  • IJN Takasago
  • SS Tunisian
  • lifeboat of [SS?] Montclare with Marconi equipment
  • exhibition version of a Cunard Marconi cabin
  • HMS Aboukir
  • HMS Amphitrite
  • HMS Anson
  • HMS Cressy
  • HMS Duncan
  • HMS Exmouth
  • HMS Galatea
  • HMS Glory
  • HMS Hogue
  • HMS Irresistible
  • HMS Jaseur
  • HMS Juno
  • HMS London
  • HMS Mars
  • HMS Niger
  • HMS Nile
  • HMS Russell
  • HMS Spartan
  • HMS Swiftshire
  • HMS Triumph
  • HMS Vengeance

and of

  • Marconi station at Bari

Album of photos of ships and marine equipments, 1922-4
Shelfmark: MS. Photogr. c. 254
Extent: 1 album

Scope and Content:

Includes photographs of

  • ST Nogi
  • ST Miura (receiver)
  • ST Earl Kitchener
  • SS Majestic (equipment)
  • SS Homeric (equipment)
  • SS Clan MacFarlane (equipment)
  • ST Kings Grey (exterior and equipment)
  • SS Montcalm (equipment)
  • SS Tasman (equipment)
  • SS Empress of Scotland (equipment)
  • SS Montrose (exterior and equipment)
  • SS Lampas (equipment)
  • SS Leviathan (radio room)
  • SS Lorina (equipment)
  • SS Olympic (equipment)
  • SS Minnewaska (direction finder aerials)
  • SS Mantua (direction finder aerials)
  • RMS Mongolia (wireless cabin)
  • SS Mooltan (direction finder aerials)
  • SS Eldon (equipment)

A.9   Wireless and the press, 1909-30

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 301-306


General correspondence and papers about wireless press services, 1914-23
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 301
Extent: 1 box

Monthly reports on news services, 1916-21
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 302
Extent: 1 box

Instructions on press censorship issued by the Admiralty, War Office and Press Committee, 1914-16
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 303
Extent: 1 box

Two Marconi news messages intercepted by a German ship, 1917
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 304
Extent: 1 folder

Wireless press bulletins issued on the SS Leicestershire, with two photographs of a ship [presumably the Leicestershire] in harbour in Malta, 1918
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 305
Extent: 1 folder

Papers relating to Imperial Press Conferences, 1909, 1921, 1930
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 306
Extent: 1 box

A.10   Wireless telephony, 1900-36

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 307-310


Papers concerning the development of wireless telephony, 1900-30
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 307
Extent: 1 folder

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • cutting of article by William Preece on Wireless Telephony, 1900
  • letter about Round's intention to conduct wireless telephony experiments at Broomfield, 1908
  • letter from J.A. Fleming about a proposed article on wireless telephony, 1914
  • papers about experiments conducted by Marconi in Sicilian waters, 1914
  • letter from H.J. Round to Guglielmo Marconi about wireless telephone sets being sent to Italy, including technical details, 1914
  • American Telephone and Telegraph Company brochure on wireless communication, including reference to wireless telephony, 1915
  • Company leaflet on the Wireless Telephone, c.1920
  • Souvenir brochure on the first Wireless Telephone News Service, 1920
  • papers, including a souvenir album, concerning the combined wire and wireless telephony service between London and Amsterdam, 1921-2
  • report of the Radio Research Board Sub-Committee on Radio Telephony, 1922
  • booklet of press reports on 'What Wireless Telephony can do for India', 1922-3
  • agreement between the Postmaster General and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company for a telephone service between the UK and the USA, 1927

Papers concerning Government committees on Imperial and international wireless telephony schemes, 1928-30
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 308
Extent: 1 folder

Press releases, cuttings and articles relating to wireless telephony, 1914-36
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 309
Extent: 1 box

Papers concerning the Imperial Press Conference, 1920
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 310
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises copies of the North Atlantic Times produced on the CPOS Victorian on which many of the delegates travelled, with related correspondence, papers, cuttings and photographs about this and wireless telephony demonstrations on the ship.

A.11   Sound broadcasting, 1919-55

Shelfmarks: MSS. Marconi 311-323, MS. Photogr. d. 48


Correspondence and papers about the development and administration of sound broadcasting by the company, 1919-24 (predominantly 1921-2)
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 311
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Predominantly correspondence of A.R. Burrows, including

  • correspondence with the GPO about applications for and issue of licences for broadcasts
  • correspondence about practical arrangements for broadcasts (including some by the British Broadcasting Company), including the engagement of artistes
  • letters commenting on the quality of reception of programmes

Other papers relating to sound broadcasting by the company, 1920-30
Shelfmark: MS. Marconi 312
Extent: 1 box

Scope and Content:

Comprises

  • copies of licences for the station at Marconi House in London (2LO), with related correspondence, 1922
  • circuit diagram of the 2LO transmitter used at Marconi House between 1922 and 1925, c.1925
  • [copy] plan of the 2LO studio of the British Broadcasting Company Ltd. at Marconi House, 1922
  • press releases about the closure of the original 2LO station at Marconi House and the opening of a new one at the BBC, 1925
  • circuit diagram of the 2MT transmitter at Writtle, 1922
  • photographs of Nora Scott singing at Writtle and of the Marconi station there, 1922
  • letter and press release about the closure of the 2MT station at Writtle, 1923
  • press release about wireless telephony demonstration at the first Conference of the League of Nations, Geneva, 1920
  • press releases announcing broadcasts of entertainment and other programmes, 1921-2
  • postcards announcing forthcoming broadcasts, 1922
  • correspondence with the Chappell Piano Company Ltd. and with Cliftophone Ltd. about the use of a Cliftophone in broadcasts, 1922-3
  • papers about the broadcast of an address by the Prince of Wales to the Boy Scouts of Great Britain, including a souvenir bookle