^Lot 319 Samuel F. B. Morse

American artist and inventor (1791–1872) whose development of the telegraph revolutionized communication—and indeed, society as a whole—and represented a crucial step toward such later innovations as the telephone. Original 2.5 x 4 gold-bordered carte-de-visite photo of the elderly and heavily-whiskered Morse, backstamped on the reverse “Geo, G. Rockwood, Photographer, New York,” signed at the bottom in black ink, “Saml. F. B. Morse.” A few dings to corner tips, and some scattered light toning and soiling to image and background, otherwise fine condition.