Antique Morse Station Used in Post Office. Favarger and Co. Switzerland, 1880

Outstanding antique Morse or telegraph station used in a Spanish post office, signed by Faverger & Cie and made in Switzerland in 1880. This striking piece comes from a batch of material from a post office that was once left out of circulation. It is in working order: the mechanism is in good condition and moves fluidly when wound up, although could benefit from a cleanup. Only the mechanical function has been tested. The electrical function has not been tested although it appears to be in good condition. The station is composed of a printer, a sound relay and a Morse key. The original printers ink deposit has also been replaced by a thimble, a very common reparation in these devices. The rest of the Morse stations component parts and pieces are original and remain in great working order, except the winding key that is not comnpletely oroginal. The tip of the original key was mofified to adapt another winding key. The complex mechanism stands on a solid wooden base, probably made of cherry wood. All the parts are made of brass except the silvery-metal screws and rods. At the central body of the Morse station we can see an engraved mark with the inscription FAVARGER & CIE SUCESSRS de HIPP NEUCHATEL SUISSE. The inscription refers to Peyer, Favarger & Cie, a Company founded in 1893 by two engineers who worked for Matthäus Hipp, a prestigious German clockmaker who also manufactured scientific instruments. After Hipps death in 1893, his two employees took over the company and focused production on mechanical devices, mainly surveying instruments. This Morse station is a good example of their quality work. Under the mark we can see the serial number 233384 engraved in the metal surface. The imposing look of this antique Morse station turns it into an exceptional piece. Measurements: Width: 13.2 in / 33 cm. Height: 14.8 in / 37 cm. Depth: 5.8 in / 14.5 cm.