ARTIFAX BOOKS
151 Barton Road, Stow MA 01775 USA

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

USA ORDERING INFORMATION: Order by book title and code. Mail your order to the address above with your money order or personal check. You may also order on-line and pay through Paypal.com (paypal to our email address).
Shipping within the USA is $3.00 per order for any number of items on this page, shipped media mail, unless otherwise stated.
Foreign shipping of one CD is $7.00 airmail ... Please inquire by email for foreign shipping costs for any other orders, listing the CDs and books you are interested in.

Be sure to see our used communications books page for additional titles (both modern and antiquarian) related to telegraphy.

CDs (compact computer discs)

AWA Telegraph Anthology. This CD contains every article ever published by the Antique Wireless Association on keys and telegraph, plus other previously unpublished articles and information. For a full description, click here. *
Code CD/AWA: Compact computer disc. Price $15.00 plus shipping. Specify PC or MAC computer.

The Vail Correspondent on CD. Here are all 24 issues of "the key collector's journal" published from October 1992 to July 1998. This CD has over 500 pages of information, articles and reference material on telegraph instruments and collecting in PFD format (and includes an Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader for those who don't already have this program). For more information on "TVC" see our TVC page here.
Code CD/TVC: Compact computer disc. Price $19.95 plus shipping.

The Vail Correspondent in original paper. We have some single issues, and may have a few complete sets of the 24 original issues; for price and availability please see the TVC page.

Telegraph Collector's Reference, 2nd edition Just pop this CD into your PC or MAC computer drive and let your browser give you convenient, fast access to over to over 7000 photographs, descriptions, prices, books, catalogs, maps, videos, and lists. Includes a complete new edition of Perera's Telegraph Collector's Guide, the entire Schlehman Telegraph Patent and Key Collections, Kleinman's spark key project, Pope's "Modern Practice of the Electric Telegraph" (the complete book -- and 6 other classic books and 6 classic Telegraph Catalogs!!). The entire 3000 key W1TP Telegraph Instrument Museum is included with every photograph in-line for an amazing browsing experience where you can scroll through clear color photographs of virtually every known telegraph key. There is too much to describe here; for the complete contents, see the author's page. Truly hundreds of dollars worth of information. If you have only one CD in your telegraph reference library, this should be it. It is an entire telegraph reference library on one CD.
Code TCRCD: Compact computer disc. Price $15.00 plus shipping.

The Story of the Enigma, 4th edition History, Technology and Deciphering. Double the size of the previous edition and now with 60 items in its table of contents. This CD is the ultimate reference on the Enigma; no other book or CD comes close to matching it. Fully PC and MAC computer compatible. This is the complete story of the Enigma cipher machine, the primary device used by the German Military during WW-2 to produce what they believed were secure coded messages. The comprehensive text and over 1,000 color photos on this CD by Dr. Tom Perera trace the development of codes, cipher machines, and the Enigma, its civilian and military models, its operation, strategies used to decipher its messages, and its mechanical and electrical construction. This new edition includes Enigma simulator programs, books and Enigma manuals, construction projects, and bibliographies. It includes videos of the Enigma in Action and the NEMA, M-209, and Fialka cipher machines in action. It also includes hundreds of photos of the Russian Enigma codenamed "FIALKA", the unbroken American M-209, and even a 30-minute WWII training film on the M-209. There is much more, too much to list here. Please see the author's desription at this page.
Code ENIGMA4: Compact computer disc. Price $15.00 plus shipping.

The Story of the Enigma, 3rd edition History, Technology and Deciphering. Previous edition. This earlier edition of the ENIGMA CD contains the HIGH RESOLUTION versions of the photos that had to be left out of the fourth edition to make room for the videos and other new material in the new edition. Those who want the high-resolution photos can still order this 3rd edition.
Code ENIGMA3: Compact computer disc. Price $15.00 plus shipping.

FIALKA and M-209 RESEARCH CD. This CD contains over 400 detailed, high resolution photographs of the newly-discovered Russian Enigma codenamed FIALKA. (There was no room for these high-resolution images in the Enigma CD.) Clicking on most of the photographs enlarges them to an effective size of about 2 x 3 FEET ! This allows close inspection of details (and use in high quality publications and other commercial purposes provided author's copyright permission is obtained). The CD also includes a high resolution version of the Fialka manual, high resolution photographs of the American M-209, and a high resolution manual for the M-209. For convenience, the entire text and the wiring data and rotor stepping data for the Fialka that are found on the Enigma CD are also included included in this CD and used for the basic outline.
Code CD/RESEARCH: Compact Computer Disc. Price $15.00 plus shipping. Specify PC or MAC computer.

The Book List

McELROY, world's champion rqadio telegrapher by Tom French (1993; second printing 2007).
Finally available again after being out of print for over ten years, here is the definitive biography of the world's most famous telegrapher. This book covers his life, the code contests, and his products. A special section (22 pages) is devoted to photographs and description of the telegraph keys. With its seven appendices and 16 pages of notes and references, this book is the first and last word not only on McElroy from 1901 to 1963, but on the life and times of a professional telegrapher in the 1920s and 30s in America.
Code MAC: Softcover, comb bound, 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 163 pages. Price $24.95 ... Shipping in the USA is $3.00 (media mail). Optional insurance is $1.65 ... Email for foreign shipping.

VIBROPLEX COLLECTOR'S GUIDE by Tom French (third edition with supplement, 2006).
For over fifteen years this book has been the primary collector's reference to the semiautomatic keys (bugs) made the the Vibroplex Company. Includes descriptions and illustrations of every bug from the Autoplex, the 1905 Original, the Model X, Double Lever, Blue Racer and more, including their variations, as well as the first three paddles and the straight key. The book also includes historical information on the keys, the complete patents (with the original drawings) that gave Horace Martin control of his inventions, identification and description of all of the nameplates, dating information, and much more. Illustrated with drawings, photographs, and reproductions of early advertisements.
Code VCG: Softcover, comb bound, 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 118 pages plus 10 page supplement. Price $24.95 ... Shipping in the USA is $3.00 (media mail). Optional insurance is $1.65 ... Email for foreign shipping.

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 and telegraph instruments, railroad train order rules, and ads from early telegrapher's magazines. A good manual for both the railroad and landline telegraph enthusiast.
Code RTH: Softcover, 7 x 8.5 inches, 60 pages. Price $9.95 plus $3.00 shipping (see above).

HISTORY, THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH by George B. Prescott, 1860/1866 (fourth edition, revised and enlarged), 1972 hardcover reprint by Frank Jones.
An important and indispensable early reference to landline telegraphy by the Superintendent of Electric Telegraph Lines, originally published by Ticknor and Fields, Boston. It starts with electricity and magnetism and covers telegraph systems; early telegraph keys and other instruments; submarine cables (including the 1858 Atlantic cable with transcripts of all of the messages sent over it); the use of the telegraph in the Civil War; four pages on the use of the telegraph on the railway and railroad; eleven pages on the electric fire alarm with alarm boxes. And much more. Well illustrated.
You will find antiquarian booksellers offering this reprint for $100 and more, but since we purchased the remainder inventory from Frank Jones we are able to offer it at a substantial savings. These are new old stock, unused, the pages are clean and bright. On some copies the blue cover and spine may have slightly faded areas, but we will ship you the best copy we have available.
Code HTP: Blue cloth illustrated hardcover, 5-1/4 x 7-1/2 inches, 508 pages. Price $24.95 ... shipping in the USA is $3.00, optional insurance $1.65... email for foreign shipping.

PERERA'S TELEGRAPH COLLECTOR'S GUIDE by Tom Perera (Third edition, 2008).
A bigger book! This third edition of the famous Perera's Telegraph Collectors Guide includes everything in the second edition, and more. Written by the leading expert on Telegraph Keys, this book provides the reader with the comprehensive guide to telegraph keys. There is a historical background of telegraph keys and details of the types of keys available from the earliest varieties through to the present day. Morse code keys, spark & wireless keys, military keys from around the world and radio keys are all covered. There is also a wide range of material covering practice sets, semi-automatic keys (or "Bugs"), electronic keyers, paddles, home-made keys and even novelty items, plus tips on restoring telegraph keys. The book also provides the latest guide prices for the keys along with a hugely valuable cross reference and comprehensive index of the material.
Contents contains: Historical background, details of key types, hundreds of pictures, current key prices, tips on restoration, comprehensive & cross-referenced Index. This guide is the ideal companion for anyone with an interest in telegraph keys and is a fascinating reference work on telegraph and Morse keys since their very inception.
Code PTG3: Softcover, 7 x 9-1/2 inches, 104 pages. Price $19.95 plus shipping (see above; shipped media mail)

PERERA'S TELEGRAPH COLLECTOR'S GUIDE, (Second edition, 1999). -- We have a few copies still available. Updated from the first edition with 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 resource 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 an indispensable reference for every key collector. Includes an index to all the instruments.Click on photo for an inside view.
Code PTG: Softcover, 5.5 X 8.5, 100 pages. Price $19.95 plus shipping (see above)
Shipped first class if ordered alone.

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 plus shipping (see above).
Shipped first class if ordered alone.

The AWA Review, no. 6, 1991 published by the Antique Wireless Association. Well illustrated, this annual issue includes articles on: the Eaton vacuum Tube Collection; GE considers buying DeForest; the first years of Wireless in Hawaii; Signal Corps SCR-RC-BC Directory; Who invented the Superheterodyne?; Amateur Radio in the New York City Area pre-WWI; Radio Tube manufacture in Australia; The Military Communications Explosion 1914 - 1918 by Louise Moreau heavily illustrated with Signal Corps equipment including Indian motorcycle radio sets, arc and spark telegraph transmitters etc; huge list of US patents by Alexanderson, Carson, Colpitts, Davis Gernsback, Hogan, Loomis, Pupin, Rider, Stone and Stubblefield; and more.
Code AWA6: Softcover, 6 x 9 inches, 184 pages. Price $5.95 plus shipping.

The AWA Review, no. 7, 1992 published by the Antique Wireless Association. Well illustrated, this annual issue includes articles on: The Italian People's Receiver; The First High-Power Transmitter at Poldhu; Secret Tubes for Radar - The Western Electric 700 series; Military Electronic Equipment - Naval Equipment Manufacturers [decode those US Navy "C" manufacturer designations like CK = Kilbourne and Clark, telegraph key manufacturers]; A Brief History of the Valve Audio Amplifier; The Eaton vacuum Tube Collection Revisited; The Arc Method of Producing continuous Waves; Robert Goddard (the father of American rocketry) and the Goddard oscillator - vs. DeForest; The Evolution of Broadcasting from the Transmitter Viewpoint; and more.
Code AWA7: Softcover, 6 x 9 inches, 186 pages. Price $5.95 plus shipping.

TEE SHIRTS: "Bug Me, I collect keys" tee shirts. Click to see a picture. Only two left: Light blue color, size M and size L. $10.00 each plus shipping of $4.00 priority mail.

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 plus shipping (see above).
Shipped first class if ordered alone.

If what you want is not available as a new book on this page, be sure to check out our antiquarian books pages for informative, scarce and collectible books on these and other subjects.