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| Brit. Commonwlth | Canadian | French | German | Spanish | Portuguese | Netherlands | U.S.A. | Eastern | the rest | Contributions |
Contributors: |
Once the largest cable operating company in the world.
It originally had offices at 66 Old Broad street, but moved to a new
Head Office at Electra House, 84 Moorgate, London, EC2., in 1902.
A 1915 form gives it as Electra House, Finsbury Pavement (London, E.C.)
Sometime between 1922 and 1927 it also opened Tower Chambers at Moorgate.
The company has some variations. The leftmost dates from 1882, but the design soon improved. There are a number of colours that got used, some have a comma between "EASTERN" and "TELEGRAPH". Some also have Copyright Registration information. There may well be more variations, especially early ones, that I have not yet seen.
THE EASTERN TELEGRAPH COMPANY
(for a reasonably complete history, see Atlantic-cable.com)
My website is primarily about telegraph stamps, though it now has a new section of Telegram Seals that includes quite a lot on telegrams.
I have also been able to add a lot of stationery recently to some sections, notably the British Electric Telegraph Company.
As I have gradually expanded the scope of the website, the 'elephant in the room' has become harder to avoid.
Though not, as far as I know, issuing its' own stamps or even telegram seals, this company was the glue that eventually, largely held most of the rest together.
Not having been there at the time, I need sources of information.
Firstly, Distant Writing by (the late, and great) Steven Roberts.
Other sites worth a look are Atlantic-Cable.com.
and Having the Revenue on a Line (PDF)
According to Grace's Guide,
John Pender created the company in 1872
by amalgamating and reorganising several companies (starting in 1868). These were:
Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Co (1868)
Malta and Alexandria Telegraph Co (1868)
Anglo-Mediterranean Telegraph Co (1868)
Falmouth, Gibraltar and Malta Telegraph Co (1869)
This was the link with Britain, but despite the name, they switched to Porthcurno, Cornwall
which was chosen rather than Falmouth to reduce the risk of cable damage from anchors.
British-Indian Submarine Telegraph Co (1869)
Marseilles, Algiers and Malta Telegraph Co (1870)
This network created a near monopoly for many destinations from Britain.
When the Post Office took over operation of the private telegraph companies, it left a lot of loose ends.
The Submarine Telegraph Company (STC) was not taken over since the nationalisation was limited to the inland telegraphs.
The STC maintained control of its submarine cables until 1889 when the 40 year monopoly it had been granted, expired.
A Telegram seal on the back of an undated piece of envelope.
This is thought to be from the 1858-60 period, but it is just a guess. Image courtesy of Les Bottomley.
This undated cover to an address in Malta has a similar seal on the back.
This though is clearly part of the flap, whereas the one above appears to be an addition.
A closeup shows more detail, including embossing.
Images courtesy of Aztec Collectables, click on one for the listing.
A Forwarding Form of 9 September 1868 to Bengasi.
- My Ref. MAT-F-1868-1
Front and back courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Falmouth, Gibraltar and Malta Telegraph Co., receipt of 1871, courtesy of Jim Hammond.
- My Ref. FGMT-Rec-1871-1
For a telegram from Malta to Dublin, 10 September 1871.
In 1902 the Eastern Telegraph Company erected a Wireless Telegraph mast at Pedn-men-an-Mere, near
Porthcurno where they had a submarine cable since June 1870.
Porthcurno is near Land's End, Cornwall and was the terminus for submarine telegraph cables from 1870 to 1970, connecting with the Americas and India via Europe.
This Telegraph Station was once the largest cable station in the world, and also had a Telegraph training school. It now acts as a Museum of Global Communications.
An early Receiving Form used 13 July 1890. It gives London Chief Station as 11, Old Broad Street, E.C. and 4 Branch Stations.
Image courtesy of Edward Coombes, who says of this "A telegram from Mombasa to London dated 13th July 1890. Size 194 x 280 mm (may be cut down a little on left side) and plain on reverse.
Interesting no circular ETC logo (unusual for London!). At top left states 'Receiving Form'. The printer is Waterlow & Sons, London Wall. Interestingly hand written notation 'Free Message' and at base 'With Sir James Andersons compliments'.
I'm assuming this might be the James Anderson who captained the SS Great Eastern on the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable in 1865-6. Was Sir James the Managing Director of the ETC in 1890.
The sender/receiver of this telegram may have been Walter De Winton of Maesllwch Castle, Glasbury, Herefordshire. As it was a free message were the De Winton family, perhaps, shareholders in the ETC?."
This may pre-date the Eastern's famous logo.
These two courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Eastern Telegram and registered envelope of 1915, courtesy of Jim Hammond.- My Ref. East-5/17A-1915-1
Alexandria to Newbury, Berkshire, England, 12 December 1915.
Does anyone know the significance of the "Paslondon 83" or perhaps "Paslondin 83" cachet on this and the first shown below ?
It is not clear from this image (on a white background), but at the top the telegram has a Perfin of PBC9.
The three (half size) images below on a black background make it clearer:
The Perfins appear to be World War I censorship marks, with PBC indicating "Passed by Censor" and the number presumably designating the specific Censor.
Numbers known are 9, 11, 16, 20, 26 and 45.
This (twice scale) example looks like P.B.C.9 received 12 November 1917 from Bagdad, Mesopotamia. The form number is easier to read. Courtesy of Les Bottomley.
Meager is reported to have admitted later that things were not "Quite well" at all, but it was to his mother. "The whole event was hell".
This has PBC20 and was received 19 September 1918 from Portsaid, Egypt, by Suez Canal. The form number is "5/17A. / (586/165.)".
At the bottom of the header is now "The first line of this Telegram contains the following particulars in the order named :—Number of Message, Office of Origine,
Number of Words, Date, Time handed in, (in Letters : see Clock above,) and Official Instructions." However it doesn't.
The first part WXA appears to be a callsign of a transmitter. The Date makes little sense and the EFM ('Expeditionary Force Message'), must be the instructions.
The Time clock is ignored (as usual).
A closeup of the Form Number and PBC20 perfin .
The back has details of the offices in London.
Images courtesy of Edward Coombes.
A form used 5 November 1921, this with "(Message Form 5/17A.)" at top-right .
This has a coded message from Gibraltar to Electra House, the Chief Cable Station at Moorgate, London.
This is from deleted eBay lot 314287941716, so I don't have attribution information. If this is yours, please get in touch.
The above examples were used in London. This is for use at Liverpool, giving the address as K 13, Exchange Buildings. size 277 x 213 mm, and plain on reverse.
It also mentions Liverpool Cotton Exchange and Stations at 12 other cities including London. It is likely that each city would have customised forms.
This is stamped with 'Expeditionary Force Message', as well as "EFM" below the date-stamp. Top-left has '(Station forms 5/17 A.)',
Image courtesy of Edward Coombes, who also provides the images of the registered envelope used, shown below.
The front is also stamped 'Expeditionary Force Message'.
For what it's worth, here are the starting Call Signs? of the above telegrams :
No, it doesn't make a lot of sense.
- My Ref. East-5/17A-90-1927-1
A Telegram of 31 December 1927, front and back used at Tower Chambers, Moorgate, London. The back still shows Electra House as the head Office though. Images courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
This is similar to the one above, but simplified, with the time-wheel gone, and dated 15 September 1929. "(Message Forms 5/18A-97).", with "L & P (w)." at bottom-left.
Nothing on the back. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
The above was delivered in the "(3/1)" envelope shown below.
It was mailed at Bute Docks, Cardiff on Saturday 13 July 1929. There was apparently no delivery on the Sunday, so it arrived at Llechryd, Cardiff on Monday 15th.
Images courtesy of Edward Coombes.
London example used 11 June 1980, no form number. (50 mm diameter logo). Charing Cross datestamp on the back.
Presumably this was hand-delivered. Images courtesy of Edward Coombes,
Exchange, Liverpool example courtesy of Edward Coombes, who says :- used in 1914. Now small (38 mm diameter) ETC logo (type 2A). Coded (3/2) top left.
Interestingly also showing 'copyright registered at Stationers Hall' below lower arc. Mauve Liverpool Station ETC cachet on reverse.
22 October 1926 'Daily Letter Telegram' with "Support Private Enterprise" and "Mark your telegram 'Via Eastern'" slogan with a list of countries. "In case of non-delivery" information on back referencing Electra House.
The back also has an embossed version of their logo, which interestingly is the early type with the upright Hermes. - Images courtesy of Edward Coombes.
26 December 1927 with a new "Mark your telegram 'Via Eastern'" slogan and list of countries. Same early type embossed logo, on the back with the upright Hermes. - Images courtesy of Edward Coombes.
It is interesting that both this and the last were forwarded to Hamburg where they received arrival marks on the FRONT rather than the back, as I would have expected.
Received in London, England in 1928 and posted to Hamburg, Germany. Arrival mark again on the front.
Outside and inside of a Telegram "wrapper" containing a pouch. The outside includes a black area to prevent reading the telegram when held up to the light.
It also says "Member of the Cable and Wireless Worldwide Communications Group". The inside says "Printed in England" with the form number "3/3C".
Images courtesy of Edward Coombes.
Used in London at 11, Old Broad Street, E.C., 1885 for a telegram to Dacca (Dhaka, in what is now Bangladesh).
Imprint up left side of Waterlow & Sons. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
Used in Birmingham, 1896 for a telegram to Port Said, Egypt.
Imprint up left side of Waterlow & Sons. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
Used in London at 190, Strand, W.C.1., 1923 for a telegram to Singapore.
Imprint bottom-left of "W. & S. Ltd.", again for Waterlow & Sons. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
A "Greek Received Form" of 10 June 1915 for a telegram in English received from Tenedos (island).
The envelope with "No Charges to Pay" is included. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
An undated form for use at Cairo. The address is a pre-1922 address. Courtesy of Jim Hammond.- My Ref. East-FW-1920-1
This is for "Telegrams to all parts of the world".
There is nothing on the back, but abbreviated terms and conditions at the bottom. No printers imprint or date.
"(Message Forms 5/20)" dated 14 March 1925, for use at Trieste. - My Ref. East-MF5/20-1925-1
This was from Las Palmas.
No printers imprint, Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
"(Message Forms 5/48A-98)" dated 31 December 1936, for use at Trieste Palazzo Delle Poste. - My Ref. East-MF5/48A-1936-1
This was from Karachi. It is very flimsy.
The form number and Printers imprint at bottom-left are not easy to read but the imprint looks something like "B/4451 Tip. ??? ??? & ??? - Trieste 7 33.λ1".
Images courtesy of Les Bottomley.
Message Forms.
Eastern Telegram of 1909, courtesy of Les Bottomley.- My Ref. East-5/20-1909-Malta
It has at top-left "(Message Forms 5/20.)" and is printed for use at "MALTA STATION"
This has an imprint at the bottom for Waterlow & Sons Limited, Printers, London Wall, London.
An undated Message Form 5.1,2,3 & 10 for use in Malta, courtesy of Jim Hammond.- My Ref. East-MF5123-1920-1
This is for "Deferred Plain Language Telegrams".
This was presumably never sent, since it was mostly not filled in. There is also no indication of the date of it.
It does though give the terms and conditions. It was printed by Waterlow & Sons, London Wall.
Receiving Forms.
For use in Malta, Used 25 October 1895.- My Ref. East-Malta-Rec-1895-1
From Taganrog (Таганрог - sea port), Russia. Plain on reverse. Size 218 x 280mm.
It was printed by Waterlow & Sons, London Wall. Image courtesy of Edward Coombes.
Messages received at Vigo, Spain and mailed to Germany. Left 1910 and right 1912. Form numbers can be seen at top-left.
Images courtesy of Soleryllach.com.
A receipt of 1921, printed by W. & E. Ltd. - from RL.
The Eastern Telegraph Co. used at Limassol, Larnaca, Cyprus on 17 November 1929. "(Station Boeks 9/57)" [in Dutch].
Receipts of this style, with the same border at left, are shown on this page also for London, Eastern Extension and Cable & Wireless.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. Click on image for listing)
By 1944, The Eastern Telegraph Co. was in association with the Marconi Radio Telegraph Co., of Egypt S.A.E.
This has "J/4" at top-right. It was used in Cairo, 10 June 1944 for a telegram to England.
A Marconi Radio / Eastern Telegram used 7 January 1942 in Egypt.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. (Click on image for listing)
More receipts are shown in the HAVING THE REVENUE ON A LINE (PDF).
Money transfer from Spain to Gibraltar, courtesy of Jim Hammond.
This was sent, 21 April 1906.
Here is a leaflet detailing tariffs as of 6 June 1922, courtesy of Jim Hammond.
Front cover, inside and back.
Note the frequent "ALL RATES ARE SUBJECT TO ALTERATION WITHOUT NOTICE" - prices could be affected by business decisions, sabotage and/or acts of war. Rates for other years would be very welcome.
In 1902 the Eastern Telegraph Company and The Eastern Extension, Australasia & China Telegraph Company, together with 10 other smaller companies, created The Eastern & Associated Telegraph Companies' Cable System.
Map circa 1922.
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
On the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Telegraph Co. in 1922, a commemoration was held in London with a souvenir book that included maps of the system in 1872 and 1922:
Images courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Images courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Around about 1875, the British India Extension Co., China Submarine Telegraph Co., and the British Australian Co., amalgamated to form an extension to the existing Eastern Telegraph Co.
This became known as the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co.
Here is an example of an Eastern Extension - Receiving Form (No. 42) used at Wei-hai-wei, Kowloon on 19 July 1907 for a birthday telegram from Chefoo. - My Ref. EEAC-42-Whw-1
It has no indication of where it was printed and there is no Logo, but at the top-left has "(No. 42.) and is marked "In connection with The Eastern Telegraph Company Limited".
Photo courtesy of Aztec Collectables, click on it for the listing.
Here is an example of an Eastern Extension - Receiving Form used at Shanghai on 9 July 1921 for a telegram from Henley on Thames. - My Ref. EEAC-66-Shanghai-1
It has no indication of where it was printed and there is no Logo, but at the top-left has "(No.66¹,)—Typing Received Form." and is marked for use at the Shanghai Station at 7, the Bund.
Image courtesy of Les Bottomley.
Here is an example of an Eastern Extension - Receiving Form used at Penang on 16 July 1924 for a telegram from Madras. - My Ref. EEAC-65-Penang-1
It was printed in England by "William Brown & Co. Limited, Export Stationers, &c., London, E.C.", now with the Logo and the top-left has "Receiving Form (No.65¹,)"
Here is an example of an Eastern Extension - Receiving Form used at Singapore on 26 February 1920, or is it 1926 ?, for a telegram from Madras. - My Ref. EEAC-65-Sing-1
Again it was printed in England by "William Brown & Co. Limited, Export Stationers, &c., London, E.C."
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
A similar style to the above, - Telegram received at Singapore on 12 June, ostensibly 1933, for a telegram from Saigon. - My Ref. EEAC-RT-Sing-1
It has a printers imprint at the top, but I cannot make it out. It does not look like William Brown.
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
This envelope appears to go with the above.- My Ref. EEAC-131-Env-1
It is to the same person at the same address and also on 12 June, but has a handwritten 23 for the year. Was it 1923 or 1933 ?
I suspect the handwritten date is more likely to be correct. Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Here is an example of a Receiving Form used at Singapore on 24 September 1924 for a telegram from Karaikudi, India. - My Ref. EEAC-Sing-1924-1
Again it was printed in England by "William Brown & Co. Limited, Export Stationers, &c., London, E.C." I see no Form number or company logo.
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
An unused example of an Eastern Extension, undated Forwarding Form No. 22, for use at Singapore. - My Ref. EEAC-22-Sing-1
It was printed by William Brown & Co. London.
The backs of these are simply lined with no wording.
Images courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay (click image for listing).
An example of an Eastern Extension - 'Typing Received Form' used at Singapore, for a telegram from Saigon dated 24 January 1922. - My Ref. EEAC-66-Sing-1
It was printed in Hong Kong by "Tho Kae Shean & Co."
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Here is an another example of a 'Typing Received Form' used at Singapore, 2 days later on 26 September 1924 for a telegram from Saigon. - My Ref. EEAC-64-Sing-1
This was printed in England by "William Brown & Co. Limited, Export Stationers, &c., London, E.C."
This is similar to the last, but with form number and Reply Advice. No company logo.
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
A receiving form used in Madras 6 May 1919. No imprint, plain back - - My Ref. EEAC-RF-Madras-1
The back appears to have been used to write a reply ?
Image courtesy of Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay (click image for listing).
Another printed by "William Brown & Co., London. - this a Transmitting Form used in Madras on 22 May 1923, for a telegram to Madras? From who ? - My Ref. EEAC-TF-Madras-1
Perhaps this was used as a receiving form for a telegram from Penang.
Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
No indication of who printed this. - this a Receiving Form used in Madras on 21 April 1928, for a telegram from Penang - My Ref. EEAC-RF-Madras-66/3
It has "66/3." in the top-left corner.
Image courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht.
Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Co. Ltd. Printed September 1937 and used at Penang, 19 January 1941.
This has at top-left "Printed in England. Sept. 1937. (1200 pads.)" - Top-right has "5/-172B"
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. Click on image for listing)
Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Co. Ltd. Envelope Printed 1935.
This has at the top-left "Printed in England, Aug. 1935. / Pattern F. 277,000."
In small print at the bottom it has "Associated with Cable & Wireless Ltd." That is also below the logo.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. Click on image for listing)
An example of a receipt, printed in England October 1932 and used in Hong Kong on 6 October 1934 for $23.75 + 10c stamp duty for a telegram. - My Ref. EEAC-1932-rec-1
There is no Logo, and it is marked "Associated with Imperial and International Communications Limited".
Photo courtesy of Aztec Collectables, click on it for the listing.
A similar receipt, this printed in 1933 and used in Penang on 20 February 1935 for $4.95 with no stamp duty, for a telegram. - My Ref. EEAC-1933-rec-1
Image courtesy of Sephil Collectibles PTE Ltd. click on it for eBay listing.
Competition between The Eastern cable, Marconi wireless and the GPO Imperial Cables was hurting all of their finances.
By 1929 the spirit of cooperation had held sway over cutthroat competition and Cable and Wireless Ltd. was formed to share out the cake between them.
Imperial and International Communications Ltd. 20 January 1931. (Message Form 5/17A-50) - My Ref. IICL-5/17A-50
Sent from Oxford to London.
Printed by L & P. This is very similar to a 1927 telegram of the Eastern Telegraph. Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
Other Cable and Wireless forms for use in Britaiun are shown there.
This printed in Australia. - A Receiving Form used in Adelaide 9 May 1947, for a telegram from a Pyrologist somewhere ? - My Ref. EEAC-CW-1947-1
Perhaps that was on the 1ST SHEET ? It has a nice map.
Notice "CABLE AND WIRELESS" at the top and 'MARK YOUR REPLY "Via Imperial"' at the bottom.
This appears to be to Sir William Goodman.
The connection to Madagascar here is different to the 1927 map showing it connected to the mainland instead of Mauritius. Image courtesy of Bill Glover at Atlantic-Cable.com
This is printed in England. - A Receiving Form used in Valetta, Malta 19 August 1953, Printed Feb. 1944 (10,000 pads.) Top-right Form No. 5/-168 - My Ref. CW-5-168-1944-1
Notice still "CABLE AND WIRELESS" at the top and 'MARK YOUR REPLY "Via Imperial"' at the bottom.
Image courtesy of Jeff Turnbull.
This is printed in England. - A Receiving Form used in St. Georges, Malta 22 September 1959, Printed Aug. 1946 (10,000 pads.) Top-right Form No. 5/-168 - My Ref. CW-5-168-1946-1
Notice still "CABLE AND WIRELESS" at the top and 'MARK YOUR REPLY "Via Imperial"' at the bottom.
Image courtesy of Jeff Turnbull.
The Cable and Wireless "with which is Associated the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Co. Ltd." used at Hong Kong on 14 July 19?
Receipts of this style, with the same border at left, are shown on this page also for London, Eastern and Eastern Extension.
For a message to Columbus, Ohio costing HK$28.80, with 10c Stamp Duty. This is undated, but see the one below.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. Click on image for listing)
As above, used at Hong Kong on 21 August 1947.
As above, again to Columbus, Ohio, but for only HK$4.80 no 10c Stamp Duty stamp was required.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay. Click on image for listing)
I would welcome other images for this page.
BT plc currently holds many documents relating to the early history of the Telegraph Companies.
An overview of their archives can be seen in this pdf document.
Telegram Seals A World Catalogue |
Last updated 3rd. December 2023
©Copyright Steve Panting 2012/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23 except where stated.
Permission is hereby granted to copy material for which the copyright is owned by myself, on condition that any data is not altered and this website is given credit.
