MARK OF HENRY BIRKS & SONS, MONTREAL, CIRCA 1909

Details

A CANADIAN SILVER ROYAL PRESENTATION TELEGRAPH
Mark of Henry Birks & Sons, Montreal, circa 1909
The silver morse sending key and receiver with shield-shaped presentation plaque inscribed PRESENTED TO KING EDWARD VII ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING BY His Majesty OF THE ROYAL EDWARD INSTITUTE (BY ELECTRICITY) Montreal, Canada, October 1909 with applied Royal armorials, set in satin-line bird's-eye maple presentation case, with silver fittings and plaque engraved ROYAL EDWARD INSTITUTE MONTREAL beneath Royal armorials, marked on receiver, plaques and box
14¼in. (36.2cm.) long

Provenance

The Fine Art Society, 1983
The FORBES Magazine Collection

Exhibited

The Morality of Immortality, The Forbes Collection

Special notice

On occasion, Christie’s has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale. This interest may include guaranteeing a minimum price to the consignor which is secured solely by consigned property. This is such a lot.

Lot Essay

In October 1909, at 3000 miles distance, Edward VII opened The Royal Edward Institute in Montreal. From a residence in West Dean Park in Sussex, the King pressed the key of this telegraph set, signaling the Chichester post office, from there passing to London's Royal Exchange, to Ireland, across the Atlantic and finally to Montreal. Described by London Evening News as "more rapid than the magic carpet of an Arabian Prince", the signal was received and before assembled guests in Montreal, the Royal Standard instantly "was sent running up the staff. From roof to cellar the new Institute burst into light. The doors swung open. The guard of Honor presented arm, lowered the colors and the band struck up "God Save the King" (Edgar Collard "Magic That Opened the Doors," The Montreal Gazette, October 3, 1964).

Echoing the technological marvel used to open the hospital, the Royal Edward Institute quickly became one of the advanced centers to treat respiratory diseases in Canada and today forms part of McGill University Health Center Foundation.

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