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ABC automatic telegraph receiver designed by Wheatstone.  The mechanism consists of a spring driven clockwork controlled by an electromagnetic escapement and activated by pulses of current from the sender.  These pulses rotate the wax disc, printed with the alphabet and numerals, and the required character is indicated by a single needle pointer.  The disc or dial on the receiver moves in unison with the dial on the transmitter.  Housed in a mahogany box with a glass front decorated with pilasters and pediment, a plate on the mechanism is inscribed 'C. Wheatstone Invt.'.

ABC transmitting telegraphs designed by Wheatstone using a step by step mechanism.   The dial is rotated to the required character which operates ‘make and break’ contacts beneath the dial sending current impulses down the line to the receiver.  [See K/PP107/1/4/42].  Brass dial mechanism with 30 arms each marked with letters and numbers radiating from a brass plate attached to a mahogany base.

Manuscript copy of historical narrative entitled 'The invention of the electric telegraph', by D A Bayliss, Balliol College, Oxford, Jane Willis Kirkaldy Essay Prize-winner, University of Oxford, 1959, detailing in part the career of Charles Wheatstone. With related correspondence.

Papers related to C Wheatstone & Co, Ltd, London, manufacturers of concertinas and music publishers, including brochure advertisements for concertinas and aeolas.

Apparatus designed by Peter Barlow (1776-1862), physicist, to demonstrate the principles of the electric motor.  Known as Barlow’s wheel, a current is passed through the wheel into a mercury reservoir, the magnetic force created reacts with a U-shaped magnet causing the wheel to turn. Consists of a copper stellated wheel with mercury trough made by J Newman, Regent St.  Used by Wheatstone for teaching.  [See K/PP107/5/103.]

Astatic galvanometer similar in design to Wheatstone's iron-cored galvanometer patented in 1845 with a compass needle suspended by silk thread above coil and 360° indicating dial on a circular wooden base with original glass dome.

Model designed to demonstrate the effects of magnetic fields using two parallel needles of the same magnetic strength mounted on top of one another with their magnetic poles at opposing ends. Consists of two needles mounted on a brass pivot attached to a wooden base.

Series of Christie's and Sotheby's sale catalogues, inventories and correspondence relating to the disposal of electrical and other apparatus from the Wheatstone collection, with photographs, 1987-1992; the safe storage of artefacts during World War Two, 1939; relating to the design of a replica of Charles Babbage's difference engine, 1958-1971; loan and transfer of items to institutions including the Science Museum, South Kensington, the Queen's University of Belfast, the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, US.

Automatic telegraph printing receiver devised by Wheatstone.  Impulses of current from the sender cause the electromagnet to operate two brass wire armatures.  Ink is pushed by the armatures from a brass tray through two small holes creating dots on paper tape fed underneath.  The mechanism is mounted on a wooden base, one armature missing.

Automatic telegraph transmitter developed by Wheatstone and based on the Jacquard Loom punched card system using continuous tape, a ‘Jacquard telegraph’ [see K/PP1071/2/109].  Comprising of a spring driven clockwork mechanism worked by a handle, tiny ‘fingers’ probe the tape opening and closing contacts according to the pattern of holes.  Housed in a mahogany case resting on a wooden base with three brass knobs marked ‘EARTH, LINE AND BAT[TERY]’, original perforated paper tape attached and ‘For Morse’ written in pencil on underside.

Copy of manuscript shelf catalogue of the Wheatstone Library, primarily consisting of books and pamphlets accumulated by Charles Wheatstone now housed in the library of King's College London.

Framed certificates commemorating the participation of the Wheatstone Laboratory and King's College London in the Exposition Internationale D'Electricite, Paris, 1881, and Franco-British Exhibition, London, 1908.

Framed certificates commemorating the participation of the Wheatstone Laboratory and King's College London in the Paris Exposition, 1900, and Japan-British Exhibition, London, 1910.

Certificates, diplomas and correspondence relating to modern exhibitions on the life of Charles Wheatstone, notably including letter of appointment to the chair of Experimental Physics, King's College London, 1834; correspondence and certificates relating to his election to the Royal Society, Royal Institution, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and numerous other French, German and Italian learned societies, 1836-1875; request by the Office of Works for Wheatstone to examine commercial clock chiming mechanisms during his jurorship at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, for possible incorporation in new Houses of Parliament, Westminster, 1855; correspondence relating to membership by Wheatstone of various parliamentary select committees on trade, public health and ordnance, 1855-1861; diplomas and certificates relating to service as juror at the Paris exhibitions, 1855, 1867, with mounted copies of diplomas, certificates, photographs of Wheatstone's birthplace and Wheatstone and Co. music shop, Charing Cross, copies of correspondence from Royal Society library on his duties and attendance at King's College, 1835; material relating to exhibitions at Science Museum, South Kensington, and King's College London, 1975.

Concertina with rosewood fretwork, green leather bellows and thirty two ivory keys, labelled 'By His Majesty's Letters Patent, C Wheatstone, Inventor, 20 Conduit Street, Regent Street London'.

Copies of patent specifications submitted by Charles Wheatstone and others, mainly relating to the electric telegraph.

Correspondence between Charles [Carl] Ruland [1834-1907], Librarian, Windsor Castle, on behalf of Albert (1819-1861), Prince Consort, and Charles Wheatstone, describing Prince Albert's suggestion that enclosed columns of water might act as a conducting medium for underwater electric telegraph communications in preference to submarine cables, 1860. Correspondence between Dr Edward James Burge, Department of Physics, King's College London, and the librarian of Windsor Castle, relating to Prince Albert's proposal, 1960. With copies and photographic negatives of the original letter.