AMERICAN METROLOGICAL SOCIETY STANDARD TIME- CIRCULAR, No. 1 [drop-title].
(New York: The society, 1881). First edition. 8vo. (3) pp. Proposing that North America unite upon a division of this continent into a few sections, throughout each of which the times adopted by railroad, canal, steamboat, and telegraph companies, the city or town clocks … shall all be kept as nearly as possible in agreement with one standard meridian.” Table (“Proposed Schedule of Standard Times”) with geographical sections, standard meridians west of Greenwich, and “designations” for zones (Eastern, Atlantic, Valley, Mountain, and Pacific). [Accompanied by:] American Metrological Society, Standard Time – Circular No. 2 [drop-title]. (New York: The society, 1881). First edition. (3) pp. Printing a statement of approval and cooperation from Chief Signal Officer in the War Department, W.B. Hazen, listing seven “conditions” of such cooperation and a list of more than 50 Signal Service locations in the United States that maintain “time balls.” At about the same time American railroads were contemplating a different standard, with different zones, adopting them in 1883; standard time was not adopted into U.S. law until 1918. OCLC records two locations, each holding both circulars, apparently all issued in the series (Yale, Arnheim); NUC locates the first circular only at Harvard. Both circulars with a vertical fold (for mailing), otherwise very good. Item #65388
Price: $275.00