LE MANUSCRIT DU TELECTROSCOPE DE
GEORGE R. CAREY RETROUVE A NEW YORK
Le manuscrit de George R. Carey, retrouvé en octobre 2001. (Reproduction by courtesy of Swann Galleries).
Une
découverte inespérée
La maison d'antiquariat Swann Galleries (New York)
nous a informé en octobre 2001 qu'elle mettait aux enchères un lot contenant un volume de dessins, notes et copies de lettres de George Carey, le concepteur d'un des premiers
télectroscopes, qui
était jusqu'ici connu par deux articles parus dans Scientific Amercian.le
17 mai 1879 et le 5 juin 1880.
Voici la description de ce lot :
AUTOGRAPHS 11/01/2001 10:30 AM, Lot No. 161
CAREY, GEORGE. Important bound volume of drawings, notes, true copies of letters and other material related to the invention of the selenium telectroscope and other inventions. Signed by Carey numerous times
throughout. 8vo, morocco, worn; interior condition varies. Should be seen. Boston, circa 1880.
Estimate: $2,000-3,000
Although little is known about this inventor, Carey is credited with creating one of the first prototype
televisions, i.e. a camera which could project a moving image to a distant point. This diary contains numerous drawings of the camera and explanations of when it was invented and how it operated. Also included are true copies of letters to the editors of Scientific American arranging for the publication of his
findings, which they did in on 17 May 1879 and 5 June 1880. The camera, called a telectroscope, contained compartments filled with selenium
(which has both the ability to transfer light into electricity and the property of
decreasing electrical resistance with increased illumination) each of which was connected to a receiver at a distant point. When a moving subject is placed between a light source and the camera, the subject's shadow sends varied degrees of electricity through each selenium compartment which in
turn illuminates bulbs at the receiver, thus transmitting the image.
This diary also contains drawings of other inventions, including improvements to Edison's electrical
pen, a pneumatic telephone, an electric burglar alarm and more. The drawings and notes appear in no particular order within the diary and many of the drawings appear to be rough sketches which are later recopied in other parts of the book. Most drawings are signed by Carey and two
witnesses. Other ephemera within, or laid in to, the diary includes newspaper
clippings, tracings of drawings (possibly those he sent to Scientific American for publication), an Edison electrical pen brochure, a receipt from a chemist for a specimen of selenium and more. "
Une expertise qui
reste à mener
La découverte d'un tel manuscrit est assez exceptionnelle. Nous sommes heureux que le site "Histoire de la télévision" ait aidé les Swann Galleries à identifier ce document et d'avoir été le premier à annoncer cette découverte.
Le manuscrit a été acquis pour un montant de 14 000 $ par la Karpeles Manuscript Library, qui envisage d'en publie une édition facsimile.
D'après les 14 photographies qui nous ont été aimablement communiquées par les Swann Galeries, il y a peu de raisons de douter de l'authenticité du manuscrit. Cependant celui-ci pose différents problèmes de datation et d'interprétation que seule une analyse détaillée permettra de résoudre.
Histoire
de la télévision © A.
Lange
Dernière mise à jour : 17 février 2002