rare and hard to find early 20th century double-sided vintage american cobalt blue porcelain enameled rolled iron telegraph sign fabricated for the postal telegraph company, which was a main competitor of western union during the early 20th century. the telegraph is a device for transmitting and receiving messages over long distances, i.e., for telegraphy. the word telegraph alone now generally refers to an electrical telegraph. telegraph messages were sent by an electrical telegraph operator (or telegrapher) using morse code, or a printing telegraph operator using plain text known as a telegram or cablegram (often shortened to a cable or a wire message). before long distance telephone services were readily available or affordable, telegram services were very popular and the only way to convey information speedily over very long distances. telegrams were often used to confirm business dealings and were commonly used to create binding legal documents for business dealings. the porcelain enameled iron sign was manufactured by the baltimore enamel & novelty co., founded in 1898. measures 17 x 3 inches.