Home >
Cooper's "Tom Thumb", first locomotive built in America...
Cooper's "Tom Thumb", first locomotive built in America...
Item # 667246
Currently Unavailable. Contact us if you would like to be placed on a want list or to be notified if a similar item is available.
September 04, 1830
NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 4, 1830
* Peter Cooper's Tom Thumb
* 1st American steam locomotive
The front page has a report of the inauguration of the first railroad locomotive built in America.
Headed: "Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road" the report begins by reporting the completion of the past piece of the 13 mile railroad line to Ellicott's Mills & the formal placement of the keystone in the last arch. They make mention of Peter Cooper's steam-powered railway engine (the 'Tom Thumb' but not mentioned here by name) with: "Twenty-four of the persons who witnessed the ceremony were taken to the spot by Mr. Cooper's locomotive engine--the whole weight moved being about 4 1/2 tons. The thirteen miles were made in 61 minutes including four lost in taking in water, on the return--4 additional passengers (30 in all) being added. One of the miles was performed in 3 m. 50 sec. This engine is yet new--and many improvements have already suggested themselves to Mr. Cooper...witnessed the performance of Mr. Cooper's engine, speaks very highly of it & of the road..." with more.
Much other news of the day in the following pages, including a lengthy "Speech of Henry Clay".
Sixteen pages, 6 by 9 1/2 inches, very good condition.
As noted in Wikipedia, this title: "...(was) one of the most widely-circulated magazines in the United States...Devoted primarily to politics...considered an important source for the history of the period."
Category: Pre-Civil War
No Longer Available
