Submarine cable set. Hinged leather box with peaked lid. Gold line along top edge. Octagonal silver plate: 'The Hon.^ble James Buchanan (Old English) President of the United States. (Italic) The Atlantic Telegraph. Specimens of the various component parts to the making of the Trans-Atlantic cable.
Box: 11.437' x 13.937' Lid: 0.937' x 2.0' Cable lengths: 12'
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
1991-03-26
Condition Notes
Cable samples range in order from 1-15. Missing cables 1, 2, 13, and 15.
Object ID
W.1962.004.001
Notes
Cable set presented to President James Buchanan showcasing various types of cables used in the making of the Trans-Atlantic cable. Queen Victoria was presented with a similar set to commemorate the first Trans-Atlantic cable sent from Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan on August 16, 1858.
One Sheffield steel straight razor with a bone handle. Razor was a personal gift from President James Buchanan to John Henry William Bonitz on 4 May 1857. One side of the bone handle has a 'V' shaped break 1.375" from the end of the handle that is attached to the Sheffield steel shank. This side of the handle has a hand engraving: "1857 May 4 Wm Bonitz." Opposite side of bone handle has a hand engraving: "J.H.Wm Bonitz from Presdt. James Buchanan."
Handle Length: 5.50" With the blade extended the razor and handle length: 9.375"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-10-02
Condition Notes
One side of the bone handle has a 'V' shaped break 1.375" from the end of the handle that is attached to the Sheffield steel shank. Tip of blade has 1/8" chipped off. Light rust on all sides of the shank and blade.
Object ID
2023.021.001
Notes
During the transition between President Pierce and President Buchanan's administration in March 1857, "President Buchanan requested that William Bonitz, then clerk for Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, be transferred to the White House as a clerk and messenger." The 15th President was pleased to have William as a member of his new administration. On May 4, 1857, President Buchanan gave William Bonitz a bone-handled Sheffield steel razor as a personal gift, telling the young man that he purchased the razor while he was serving as the United States Minister to the Court of St. James.
