Vintage Telegrams
From the 1890's through the 1960's
A window into how people communicated before phones were everywhere and long before email and text existed. These are real Western Union and Postal Telegraph telegrams — sent to announce births, mourn losses, celebrate marriages, conduct business, and
sometimes just to say hello. Early ones arrived by Morse code and were hand written for delivery. Later ones were typed. Each one carried to someone's door with news that could not
Western Union Telegram from 1890's. Telegram is likely 120+ years old, probably from late 1890's. Message would have been sent by Morse code over the wire, and then hand written at the receiving end, for personal delivery to recipient.
Western Union Telegram from 1926's. Likely received by Morse code, then typed on a typewriter, before being delivered to Miss Annabelle. This was on Christmas Eve, and it looks like a trip was cancelled, and Clois would meet Miss Sutterley at 11:20PM.
Postal Telegraph Telegram from 1931, shown with envelope it was delivered in. This was like a tweet, in the 1930's, and about as informative too.
Western Union Telegram from 1934, with a band member asking for info regarding a job. Business was done this way with short, to the point, messages.
A Western Union Thanksgiving Telegram from 1937. A 35¢ 15-word telegram in 1937 would cost $10.70 today, when adjusted for the rise in the price of gold since then.
These type holiday Telegrams were delivered in matching image envelopes.
Western Union Telegram from 1938, with what appears to be a spat. Yes, arguments took place via Telegrams.
Undated Western Union Telegram, with a change in plans, from an unmarried couple. Likely from 1940's.
Western Union Telegram from 1941, with a little bit of humor during war time.
Western Union Telegram from 1940's, with important news during war time.
Western Union Telegram from 1962, with best wishes for a long life together on the wedding day. Starting to get more automated here with the use of sprocket feed paper, and likely typed on a Teletype machine.
Western Union Telegram from 1963, with congratulatory wishes on a first year anniversary.
Inspired by these? The tradition lives on. Today you can send a real Telegram, typed on the same Teletype machines used in the 1960s, mailed worldwide for just $9. Something worth
holding onto, in a world full of things easily
See and hear how our Telegrams