This page lists our books on telegraphy, telegraph instruments, radio, solar, etc.; telegraph key parts; and porcelain signs.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Order by book title or code. Mail your order to the address above with your money order or personal check (we are not able to accept credit card orders). Add $2.00 to your total order for shipping within the USA. For foreign shipping costs and information, click here.
We are now shipping the great new Second edition of Tom Perera's popular collector's guide!

The Book List

PERERA'S TELEGRAPH COLLECTOR'S GUIDE by Tom Perera (Second edition, 1999).
Second edition: Bigger and better! Noted collector Tom Perera, W1TP, has updated his popular guide. More pictures, more prices, water-resistant cover. He identifies and discusses keys, registers, sounders, relays and other telegraph instruments with 300+ pictures and descriptions as well as a value guide with 300+ current collector prices. This handy resouce also includes Reinke's and McEwen's lists of makers, excerpts from Nutting's J- series book, Seneker's bug list, Navy key numbering, and more. This is the bible of the key collecting hobby and an indispensable reference for every collector. Includes an index to all the instruments.
Code PTG: Softcover, 5.5 X 8.5, 100 pages. Price $20.00

Perera's Telegraph Collector's Guide, first edition -- For those who want to complete their collection of reference books, a few copies of the 1998 edition are still available.
Code PTG-1998: Softcover, 5.5 X 8.5, 80 pages. Price $10.00

EVENTS IN TELEPHONE HISTORY. AT&T, 1954/1964 ed., reprint.
This handy book was originally published for Bell System employees as a reference work to answer queries from the public. A 20-page index of telephone events is followed by 52 pages of facts in chronological order, from the birth of Bell's grandfather in 1790 to the launch of the satellite "Relay" in 1962. No illustrations, just facts, facts, facts.
Code ETH: Softcover, 8.5 X 11, 72 pages. Price $14.95

RAILROAD TELEGRAPHER'S HANDBOOK by Tom French (1991).
Everything you need(ed) to know to become a railroad telegrapher. The Handbook sweeps away the years with illustrations, landline circuits, railroad train order rules, and ads from early telegrapher's magazines.
Code RTH: Softcover, 7 x 8.5, 60 pages. Price $9.95

McELROY: WORLD'S CHAMPION RADIO TELEGRAPHER by Tom French (1993).
A complete biography of Ted McElroy: the man, the code contests and his keys. From his childhood in Boston, to the code contests in the twenties and thirties, to his huge manufacturing business in the forties, to his "retirement" in Littleton; it's all here. Corrects the errors in previously published articles on McElroy -- even those written by Ted himself! Every McElroy key model is illustrated. Includes dozens of previously unpublished facts and photos, seven appendixes, comprehensive notes.
Code MCE: Softcover, 8.5 X 11, 150 pages. Price $19.95

THE STORY OF THE KEY. 1995 reprint of Louise Moreau's historic series from Morsum Magnificat, the British Morse magazine.
This book contains what is probably the most complete history of the telegraph key. Morse telegraphy originated in America, and the emphasis of this book is on American keys. Covers Vail's first "correspondent" to the camelbacks, "bugs" and spark keys. 75 illustrations. Includes Reinke's "American Telegraph Instrument Makers 1837 -- 1900".
Code SOK: Softcover, 5.75 X 8.25 inches, 60 pages. $12.95

BUNNELL'S LAST CATALOG with commentary by Tom French (1991).
J.H. Bunnell & Company's 1965 abridgement of their 1918 catalog... and more! A great reference to landline instruments. Keys and sounders, plus resonators, polar relays, repeaters and combination sets. Includes price lists from 1918 and 1965.
Code BLC: Softcover, 5.5 X 8.5, 36 pages. Price $6.95

HISTORY, THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH by George B. Prescott, 1860/1866 (fourth edition), 1972 reprint.
An indispensable early reference to landline telegraphy. Includes instruments, circuits, systems, the first Atlantic cable, and many illustrations. A reader writes: "Thank you for making this book available. I've tried to find [an original] in the past through various book stores that specialize in antique or hard-to-find books, but with no luck." (D.M.). NOTE: These books were improperly stored by the reprinter and the cover may be faded, stained or discolored; thus our low price for this hardcover landline classic. (The text is unaffected.)
Code HTP: Hardcover, 5.25 X 7.75, 508 pages. Price $16.95

SOLAR MADE SIMPLE: How to Use a Solar Panel to Charge your RV Battery, by Tom French (1997).
If you're interested in dry-camping in your motorhome or trailer, using solar power to operate an amateur radio station during Field Day, or are just curious as to how sunlight can provide electricity, this book explains it all.
code SMS: Softcover, 5.5 X 8.5, 52 pages. Price $ 5.95

AMERICAN TELEGRAPHY & ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE TELEGRAPH by William Maver Jr, 1892/1912 (fifth edition), 1997 reprint.
A superb hardcover reference at a price much lower than an original copy (if you could find one). Maver covers everything known about telegraphy and its uses up to 1912. Most of this huge book deals with landline telegraph instruments and systems but it also includes detailed information on early police systems (20 pages), fire alarm systems (30 pages), call boxes (10 pages), printing, burglar alarm and military telegraphs and more. Over 500 illustrations and diagrams. A must for all telegraph fans.
Code MAV: Hardcover, 6.25 X 9.25, 600+ pages. Price $39.95

VINTAGE RADIO AUCTION at the Henry Ford Museum, October 7 and 8, 1995.
This catalog of the historic de-accession sale at the Ford Museum lists 226 lots of early spark, radio and telegraph items, with tube and spark equipment lists, 23 photos of early radios including Marconi 106-D receiver, Western Electric BC-45, Marconi type 91 tuner, etc. A nice collector's item. Our supply of this original catalog (not a reprint) is limited.
Code HFM: Paper, 8.5 X 11, 12 pages plus cover. Price $5.00

KEY AND PADDLE REPLACEMENT PARTS
Replacement knobs, paddles and feet for many keys.

Our LATEST "Bag of Parts" contains five ES knobs, three ES wedge paddles, and two teardrop paddles. Click here and here to view knob and paddles. (Click your BACK button to return here.) ES KNOB: Late Electric Specialty "Cedar Rapids" knob. Bakelite, 8-32 female insert. Will fit many bugs and keys by using an 8-32 screw (not supplied) through the lever. TEARDROP PADDLE: Original WWII Lionel and Bunnell J-36 bug paddle. Molded Bakelite, has #4 untapped hole and 8-32 tapped hole. Will fit Vibroplex, McElroy and other bugs if hole is enlarged (use a good, sharp drill bit and go slowly). WEDGE PADDLE: Late Electric Specialty "Cedar Rapids" bug paddle. Die-cut phenolic, has single #8 untapped hole. A universal replacement paddle. Can be used as is or modified (drilled, and shaped on a grinding wheel) to resemble the old-style Vibroplex paddle. Ideal for homebrew keyer paddles.
BAG OF PARTS: Knobs and paddles (total ten items). $7.50

GENERIC FEET Hard rubber feet as used on the late model Electric Specialty "Cedar Rapids" bug. A close match for Mac-Keys, Telegraph Apparatus Co, Vibroplex bugs and many others. 11/16 dia X 7/16 high. Use 8-32 screw (not supplied).
GENERIC FEET: 3 for $3.00

AUTRONIC FEET Three rubber feet to fit the Autronic keyer paddle. A very close match to the original. Limited quantity available.
AUTRONIC FEET: 3 for $3.00