telegraphic and signal codes : scans, transcriptions

Initially, this page was undertaken mainly for personal convenience. What wasn’t much more than a list has evolved. The level of detail is uneven; inconsistencies in bibliographic information are legion. Mea culpa.

As of 22 May 2012, 143 cable/telegraphic codes are listed here, and another 28 signal codes. Recent (within last couple of months) additions include the 150-page codex that makes up about a third of Theodore Hunter’s Port Charges and Requirements on Vessels (1879), the Private Telegraphic Code of Heath & Finnemore, Produce & Commission Merchants (1879) and Bauers code; der neue deutsche telegramm-schlüssel (1913). There is some backlog, including items encountered in the HathiTrust Digital Library (e.g., several meteorological codes), which can be searched at HathiTrust.

The separation of telegraphic and signal codes is arbitrary. These obviously differed in usage, domain, and in the nature of the signals, but there was overlap and mutual influence in the areas of phrase vocabulary and arrangement.

An overhaul (probably involving separation of individual code discussions to their own pages), is long overdue. Comments, corrections and suggested additions are welcome.
John McVey

	telegraphic codes
1845	Secret Corresponding Vocabulary	general	Francis O. J. Smith
1845	The Telegraph Dictionary, and Seamen’s Signal Book		Henry J. Rogers
1852	The Brachial Telegraph	nautical and miscellaneous	Capt. Robert W. Jenks
1853	The Traveler’s Vade Mecum	general	A. C. Baldwin
1866	Diccionario telegrafico	government	Imprenta Imperial, Mexico
1868	Bolton’s Patent Code	general (figure)	Francis John Bolton, London
1870	Telegraph Code, to Ensure Secresy in the Transmission of Telegrams		Robert Slater
1871	Private Telegraphic Code. R. G. Musgrove & Son.	cotton	New Orleans and Liverpool
1871	Dianxin xinfa 電信新法	Chinese character code	Great Northern Telegraph
1872	Dianbao xinshu 電報新書	Chinese character code	S. A. Viguier
1872	Watts’s Telegraphic Cypher	cotton	Joseph A. D. Watts and Co.
1873	ABC Telegraphic Code (first edition)	general	Clauson-Thue
1874	ABC Telegraphic Code (second edition)	general	Clauson-Thue
1874	Bloomer’s Commercial Cryptograph	commercial	J. G. Bloomer, San Francisco
1874	The General Telegraph Code	commercial	H. R. Meyer
1875	The International Mercantile Telegraph Code	commercial	H. R. Meyer
1875	Watt’s Telegraphic Cypher, Revised Edition	cotton	in words of ten letters
1876	ABC Telegraphic Code (third edition)	general	Clauson-Thue
1876	Banking Telegraphy... being a Code	banking	Robert Slater
1876	Three Letter Code for condensed telegraphic and inscrutably secret messages and correspondence		E. Erskine Scott; prospectus
1877	Ager’s Shipping Telegraph Code	shipping	Geo. Ager; London
1877	Telegraphic cypher of Julius Büttner	cotton, rosin	Mobile, Alabama
1878	The Cotton Telegraph Code (33rd edition)	cotton	H. R. Meyer
1878	Telegraphic Cipher Code, Especially Adapted to the Cotton Trade	cotton	A. B. Shepperson
1878	A. Chesebrough’s Private Telegraphic Code	shipping, chartering	San Francisco
1879	Private Telegraphic Code of Heath & Finnemore, Produce & Commission Merchants	grain, produce	London, Ontario
1879	J. R. Foster’s Private Telegraphic Code	grain, brokerage	Moncton, N.B.
1879	The Phillips Telegraphic Code	operator’s code	Walter Polk Phillips
1879	Private Cable Code for the Timber Trade	lumber, timber	Price & Pierce, London
1879	Telegraphic Codex (in) Port charges and requirements on vessels	shipping, ship broking	London; Theodore Hunter and Jarvis Patten
1880	International Telegraphic Code Code	figure code	Liverpool
1880	Parker’s Combination Code	combination	Thomas Parker, Manchester
1880	ABC Telegraphic Code (fourth edition)	general	Clauson-Thue
1880	Ager’s Telegraphic Primer or Skeleton Telegram Code	blank general	George Ager
1880	The Telegram Code	blank tables	G. Ager, London
1880	Private Telegraph Code of Hamilton, Fraser & Co.	shipping	Liverpool
1880	Maguire’s Code of Ciphers	banking & commerce, cipher	Charles H. J. Maquire; Quebec
1880	Commercial Telegraph Code	general	H. R. Meyer; supplants International Telegraph Code
1880	Law’s mercantile cipher code	general	in use by subscribers and attorneys of the Canadian Reporting and Collecting Association
1880	Appendix Telegraph Code	blank	H. R. Meyer
1880	Cypher Code	coffee	private code, Phipps & Co.
1881	The A.B.C. Domestic Code	general	Henry Harvey
1881	Macgregor’s Variation Tables for Code Telegraphing	a figure code, for telegraphing letters A-O; and suggestions for tabulated forms (what Barto refers to as Mr Herb’s Numbers)
1881	Whittingham’s Skeleton Telegraph Code	blank	for ordinary business purposes
1881	Wilson’s Ship Broker’s Telegraph Code	grain, cotton	ship brokerage, esp. for American grain and cotton trades
1881	Private Telegraphic Code with James Adam, Son & Co., Third Edition	produce	Liverpool
1882	Telegraphic Code to insure privacy and secrecy in the transmission of telegrams	banking	Frank Miller, compiler. Sacramento
1882	The Globe Commercial Telegraph Code, for the Use of Mercantile Firms	general	H. R. Meyer, comp. Liverpool
1883	Scott’s Code : The Ship Owners’ Telegraphic Code	shipping	Reprint, with Supplement 1882 combined
1883	Telegraph Code	finance	Preston, Kean & Co. (Chicago)
1883	The Globe Telegraph Code	blank	E. Garsin (London and New York)
1884	Nonpareil Telegraphic Code	condenser	Latin verb codewords, for figures 1 –10,000,000
1884	Cypher Code for Telegraphy	AAA > ZZZ	Thomas S. Dunn; London
1885	The Telegram Formula and Code Combiner	combination	Frederick George McCutcheon
1885	Cable Code . John Crossley & Sons, Ltd.	weaving	carpet weaver
1885	Telegraphic Cipher	livestock, grain	W.G. Press & Co., Chicago
1885	Pocket Telegraphic Code	social
1885	Telegraphic Code	floral	23 phrases only; The American Florist
1885	Scott’s Code	shipowners	sixth edition
1886	Bloomer’s Commercial Cryptograph	commercial	J. G. Bloomer, New York
1887	Telegraphic Code, The American Educational Catalogue	publishing	Publishers Weekly, July 30, 1887
1888	Telegraph Code, to Ensure Secresy in the Tranmission of Telegrams	3rd edn	Robert Slater
1888	Science Observer Code	astronomy	Seth Carlo Chandler, comp.
1888	Telegraphic Mining Code	mining	C. Algernon Moreing, comp.
1888	Code Télégraphique Français	general	A. Coste (Paris)
1889	Clave telegráfica-telefónica mercantile arreglada para el uso del comercio	general commerce	Monterrey (Nuevo León), México.
1889	Telegraphic Cipher	coffee, spice	pp 50-78 of A Brief Sketch of Miner’s Coffee and Spice Mills W. H. Miner, San Francisco
1889	Unicode, The Universal Telegraphic Phrase Book (Sixth Edition)	commercial, domestic and familiar
1889	Proposed Cable Chess Code	chess	O. E. Michaelis; 3-page article in Columbia Chess Chronicle
1890	Chess Telegraphic Codes	chess	Edwyn Anthony; prospectus
1891	The Anglo-American Telegraphic Code	general
1891	Private Telegraphic Code	foods, grains, commodities	Williams, Brown &. Co., San Francisco
1891	The New General Telegraphic Mining Code Code	mining	C. Algernon Moreing and Thomas Neal, comps.
1893	United States Telegraphic Cipher	produce	Joseph H. Wilson, comp. fruit, produce and merchandise
1893	Police Telegraph Code of England for 1893	police	pp544-548 in George W. Hale, Police and Prison Cyclopaedia
1894	The Adams Cable Codex	social	Boston
1894	Inter-state Cipher	fruit shippers, jobbers	H K Pratt, Minneapolis
1894	Private Cipher Code	coffee	Castle Bros., San Francisco
1894	H. & W. Pataky’s Telegraphic Code for use in obtaining and Negociating Patents	patents	Berlin
1895	McNeill’s Code.	mining	New York (reprint of 1895 edition)
1895	Barnard’s Universal Criminal Cipher Code	police	Floyd Shock, comp.; St. Louis, Mo.
1896	Adams Cable Codex	social, general	Boston
1896	Cipher Code for Astronomical Messages	astronomy	in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
1896	The Atlas Universal Travelers’ and Tourists’ Telegraphic Cipher Code	general	T. Walter Hartfield
1896	(Lieber’s) Standard Telegraphic Code	general
1896	The Premier Cypher Telegraphic Code	general	William H. Hawke
1896	The Dynamic Chess Notation	chess	Code for telegraphing moves
1897	Mercuur-code / Mercury Code	supplement	Amsterdam; firm & company names, plantations, etc.
1897	The Robinson Telegraphic Cipher (Revised Edition, probably later than 1897)	grain, provisions	S L Robinson, Chicago
1898	Telegraphic Code	machinery	pp 529-71 General Machinery Catalogue, Niles Tool Works
1898	Lieber’s Standard Telegraphic Code	general
1899	ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code	general	fourth edition; American edition/q>
1899	McNeill’s Code	mining
1899	Terminal Index for McNeill’s Code	mining; like a rhyming dictionary
1899	Private Telegraphic Code of Lunham & Moore, Freight and Insurance Brokers and Forwarding Agents	freight, insurance, brokerage, commodities	Baltimore; compiled by John Hinrichs
1900	Heath telegraphic cipher	flouring mills & merchants	G.M. Heath, La Cross, Wisconsin
1900	The Twentieth Century Telegraphic Cipher Code	cotton seed products	L. J. Guynes, New Orleans
1901	ABC Telegraphic Code (fifth edition)	general	W. Clauson-Thue, comp.
1901	Western Union Telegraphic Code (Universal Edition)	general
1901	Telegraph Code	motor touring	3 pages in Official Automobile Blue Book, Eastern Edition
1902	Codigo brazileiro universal	commercial	W.L. Wright; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1902	The Westinghouse Code	electrical
1903	Appleby’s Copyright Code	machinery	code contained in Section V, Appleby’s Handbook of Machinery
1903	Telegraphic Code, Government Bonds	bonds	First National City Bank of New York
1903	The revised economy telegraphic and cable cipher code	fruit and produce	Edmund Peycke (see also codes of 1908, 1918)
1904	Clough’s mining code (revised)	mining, investment	C.F. Clough; Shaw & Borden, Spokane
1904	A Cypher Telegraph Code	social	pp 93-98, George F. Chambers, The Tourist’s Pocket-Book, containing useful words and simple phrases. Seventh Edition
1904	Special Cable Code for the Use of Delegates	curling	short code, for tour of Scottish team to North America, 1902-03
1905	Omnibus: télégraphique français de poche à l’usage	general, social	Paris
1905	Lieber’s Bankers and Stockbrokers’ Code and Merchants’ and Shippers’ Blank Tables	banking, commercial	B. Franklin Lieber and Charles J. Dawson
1906	Telegraphic Cipher Code, Gerrish System	astronomy	Harvard College Observatory
1906	Standard Cipher Code of The American Railway Association	transportation
1907	Mining Supplement to Bentley’s Complete Phrase Code	mining	E. L. Bentley
1907	Standard Lumber Reference Book and Code	lumber	Atlanta: Franklin-Turner Co., and Benj. F. Ulmer
1907	Un Code Télégraphique Du Portrait Parlé	signaletics	R. A. Reiss
1907	Postal Code (Telegraph-Cable)	general	Frank Shay and Richard V Day, San Francisco
1908	The Billionaire Phrase Code	flexible phrases	yielding one billion sentences; 56 pages
1908	The Modern Economy Telegraphic and Cable Cipher Code	green and dried fruit and produce	Edmund Peycke
1908	Telegraphic Code, Wellcome’s Excerpta Therapeutica	drugs	Serums and Serum-Therapy pp 142-44
1909	Brentano’s Telegraph and Cable Code	general
1909	Bentley’s complete phrase code	general	E. L. Bentley; reprint of 1906 edition
1910	Jiao tong bi xi 交通必携	Chinese character code	communications handbook
1911	Private Telegraphic Code	steel	United States Steel Corporation
1911	Everybody’s Pocket Code	social, travel	London; W. M. Saunders
1911	General information cable code / Llave telegrafica para informes generales	pp 9-12 in Frank Thomas, The shipping clerks’, correspondents’ and travellers’ handbook (Glasgow)
1912	Scientific Dial Primer		Andrew Hallner, comp.
1912	The Emigre (P.C.) Cable Code	legal	S.V. Blake and F.A.C. Redden, comps.
1913	Bauers Code; der neue deutsche telegramm-schlüssel	commercial	Ludovic N. Bauer; Leipzig
1913	China Inland Mission Private Telegraph Code	religious administration	Shanghai
1913	The Adams Cable Codex, Tenth Edition	social
1913	Telegraph and Cable Code, W. S. Tyler and Company	industrial	screens, for use in Chilean mines, etc.
1913	The Imperial Combination Code (Rubber Edition)	general, and rubber	London; Edward Barron Broomhall
1914	The Private Code and Post-Card Cypher	social, humor	Constance and Burges Johnson
1918	Finger Prints: The Code	dactylography	chapter 6 of Harris Hawthorne Wilder and Bert Wentworth, Personal Identification
1918	Peycke’s New Ekonomik Telegraphic Cipher Code for the Fruit and Produce Trade	produce	Edmund Peycke
1918	The Colorado Code	military	General Headquarters, AEF
1920	ABC Telegraphic Code (sixth edition)	general	William Clauson-Thue, edited by William Droege
1920	The Nautical Telegraph Code and Postal Guide (fourth edition)	social	Captain D. H. Bernard (?)
1921	Radiographic weather code for vessel weather observers	meteorology	U.S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau
1921	Bensinger’s Special Edition of Complete Phrase Code	general	E. L. Bentley; reset edition of his 1906 Phrase Code
1921	The Missions Code	missionary	Foreign Missions Conference of North America, New York
1921	The motor trade telegram code	automotive	Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders; W. M. Saunders, comp.
1930	General Cipher Code	express transport	Railway Express Agency, New York
1930	International radio weather code for use on United States selected ships	meteorology	U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Weather Bureau
1957	A.N.A.R.E. Code	social — Antarctic service	Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions
	signal codes
1763	Tactique navale, ou, Traité des Évolutions et des signaux; avec figures en taille-douce.		Bigot de Morogues
1803	Telegraphic Signals; or Marine Vocabulary		Home Riggs Popham
1808	A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication		John Macdonald
1808	A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication by Day and Night... a numerical inflected dictionary...		Joseph Conolly (London)
1817	A Treatise Explanatory of a New System of Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Communication of General Application, in which a Comprehensive Numerical Dictionary...is applied...		John Macdonald
1817	A system of general signals for night and day		Charles Lenox Sargent (Boston)
1817	An Essay on Universal Telegraphic Communication		Joseph Conolly (London)
1818	An Improved System of Telegraphic Communication... a Numerical Portable Dictionary		Thomas Lynn
1828	A New Code of Telegraphic Signals for Yachts and Pleasure Boats		Richard B. Wynne
1832	The United States Telegraph Vocabulary, being an appendix to Elford’s Marine Telegraph Signal Book.		John R. Parker
1835	The Universal Sea Language being a complete code of signals for day and night.		Levin Joergen Rohde, London
1835	A Code of Universal Naval Signals		H. Cranmer Phillipps
1836	The New Semaphoric Signal Book, in Three Parts		John R. Parker
1845	The Telegraph Dictionary, and Seamen’s Signal Book		Henry J. Rogers
1847	A Code of Signals		Marryat; 10th edn, entirely revised and corrected
1848	Signal Book for Boston Harbor		Hudson & Smith
1851	Code of Signals for the use of Vessels Employed in the Merchant Service		Marryat; 11th edn, entirely revised and corrected
1854	Universal Code of Signals for The Merchant Marine of All Nations		Marryat, Richardson; 12th edn
1855	Code international: Télégraphie nautique		Reynold; naval and commercial
1855	Reynold’s Code. Polyglot Nautical Telegraph		Reynold-Chauvancy; revised by F. H. Simpkinson
1858	Ward’s Code of Signal Telegraph for Ocean Marine Service, alphabetically arranged...		William Henry Ward
1861	The Ocean Marine Telegraph		William Henry Ward
1864	Universal Code of Signals		Marryat, Richardson
1866	Universal Code of Signals		Marryat, Richardson
1866	Code Universel de Signaux		Marryat, Richardson
1866	International Day, Night, and Fog Signal Telegraph		William Henry Ward
1866	International Day, Night, and Fog Signal Telegraph		William Henry Ward; second edition
1869	Universal Code of Signals		Marryat, Richardson
	other primary sources
1824	Histoire de la Télégraphie		Ignace Urbain Jean Chappe
1863	Handbook of Practical Telegraphy		R. S. Culley
1867	Visible Speech Telegraphy		Alexander Melville Bell
1876	Oakum Pickings		Walter Polk Johnson
1880	Telegraphic Tales		W J Johnston
1903	Signaux Télégraphiques		James Nicolson
1908	Signals and Instructions, 1776-1794		Julian S. Corbett, ed.

telegraphic codes

1845 The Secret Corresponding Vocabulary —
adapted for use to Morse’s Electro-Magnetic Telegraph and also in conducting written correspondence, transmitted by the mails, or otherwise
Francis O. J. Smith
Portland: Thurston, Ilsley & Co., 1845
original at Harvard University: Int 4210.81.5
1852 The Brachial Telegraph.
An original method of conversing and signalizing on land and at sea, by means of human arms, at any and all distances, even within furthest range of the telescope.
Robert W. Jenks
New York: Henry Sanders, 1852
Cornell University, VK389 J53 (directly here)
Introduction pp 3-7; Signal Alphabet pp 8-11; Written Alphabet of the Brachial Telegraph, Capitals and Small Letters pp 12-14; Written Numerals p 13; Signal Numbers 16-19; Sea Signals 20-26 (similar to two-flag signals of other nautical codes, for quick messaging); Resources in Case of Shipwreck 27-30 (on building a raft, getting a line to shore, etc.); Military Signals 31-37 (phrases); Miscellaneous Signals 38-56; Recommendations 57 (testimonials of Harvey P Peet, President of the New-York Institute for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb), and D. C. Van Norman (Principal of Rutgers Female Institute)).
The sea signals are made with an object (e.g., a trumpet) in the signaller’s hand; military signals are made with a sword.
The introduction discusses the ancients, Chappe, the electro-magnetic telegraph and naval signals, then asserts that subsidiary assistance might be derived from the Brachial Telegraph, for which he gives examples. He adds: In schools and private families, independently of the utility claimed for it as a branch of study, it would be a source of amusement to young persons, as well as a healthy exercise of the limbs, tending to a robust development and a graceful carriage of person. (p7)
The written alphabet follows the (arm) signal alphabet closely —

The chapter Miscellaneous Phrases is the longest in the book, with 88 signal/phrase pairs in all. The examples below are taken from pages 39, 40 and 57.

Each of the 88 signals for Miscellaneous Phrases might be assigned additional meanings, provided they are distinguished in some way from their ordinary sense. The inflection might be done by hold(ing) something in the hand, as a book, or hat, or stick.
The brachial telegraph signals recall the signals of the Chappe system, but their respective forms are less emphatically pronounced than the latter. (Perhaps signallers would need to have unusually long arms?) I have not worked out the maximum number of signs available using the arms — is it 88? — but observe that many of the gestures, particularly where an arm crosses the front of the signaller’s body, would be indistinguishable at a distance.
The brachial telegraph is also proposed as potentially useful, in emergencies, to Deaf Mutes: see a communication by John R. Burnet, in The Proceedings of the Third Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb (Columbus, Ohio, August 10-12, 1853) (pp196-97), here
The introduction to the Miscellaneous Signals concludes with this —
These miscellaneous signals, with the new meanings that may be attached to them, woud make an agreeable pastime for social parties, as the new meanings might be extended without limit, the only prerequisite being a previous agreement as to the new interpretation..
Innocent and exciting amusement in the social circle is also suggested as a secondary purpose for Baldwin’s Traveler’s vade mecum (1853) — listed immediately below (and more fully described here). (A. C. Baldwin was present at the second Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf and Dumb, held in Hartford, Connecticut in August 1851.)
1853 The traveler’s vade mecum,
or Instantaneous Letter Writer, by mail or telegraph, for the convenience of persons traveling on business or for pleasure, and for others, whereby a vast amount of time, labor, and trouble is saved.
by A. C. Baldwin
New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1853
original at NYPL
12 preliminary pages; 13-299 code; p300 table of contents.
8466 numbered phrases, distributed in the following departments: traveling, home, clergymen, and commercial (running pp 13-32); and miscellaneous, (pages 33-299).
See my discussion of compiler A. C. Baldwin, and this code, at catatan.
1866 Diccionario telegrafico
Mexico, Imprenta Imperial, 1866
original at NYPL
Figures, times, alphabet (1ff); vocabulary (13ff); names of places (135ff); authorities (175ff). No phrases
This code provides the Spanish-language terms, but no codewords or figure constructs for those. For my own convenience, I provide the preface and a rough Englishing of same, below.
ADVERTENCIA.
El Diccionario telegráfico contiene las palabras mas usadas para la correspondencia secreta ; las que faltan, sean nombres de poca importancia ó nombres propios, pueden ser escritas con letras, ó se compondrán por medio del alfabeto (página 5 – 11).
Los verbos auxiliares haber, ser y estar, y los verbos tener, poder, ir, querer y deber, están puestos en los tiempos que indican el presente, pasado y venidero. De los otros verbos solo se halla el infinitivo, que basta para expresar en combinacion con verbos auxiliares ó los arriba mencionados, para comunicar las ideas de una manera inteligible. Se comprenderá fácilmente por el sentido de la frase, si el infinitivo aislado de un verbo indica el presente ó el venidero, ó un participio usado como adjetivo; compuesto con los auxiliares el pasado ú otro tiempo, estará perfectamente precisado. El gerundio siempre puede ser sustituido reduciendo las frases á las expresiones mas sencillas, y por medio de la combinacion de estar con el infinitivo del verbo respectivo.
Se ha agregado al fin del Diccionario un vocabulario, que contiene los Soberanos, dignatarios y personajes importantes, y otro vocabulario geográfico del Imperio y del Extrangero.
Para no aumentar el número de las cifras á mas de millares, se ha dado á aquellas palabras una série de cifras ya contenida en el Diccionario. Se distinguirá una série de otra, subrayando la del apéndice.
EJEMPLOS.
Ha llegado S. M. el Emperador á Puebla.
Un tal Goldsmith, individuo sospechoso de ser agente de Santa-Anna etc. etc.
S. M. concede el indulto pedido, avise V. al Prefecto Político.
Se hallan tambien en el Diccionario las sílabas necesarias para composiciones.
Which, drawn through the Google translation machine, and subjected to amateur tuning, yields something like :
The Telegraph Dictionary contains the words most used for secret correspondence; what is missing — terms of little importance or proper names — can be written in letters, or spelled out (page 5-11).
The auxiliary verbs be, was and will be, and the verbs have, may, go, intend and duty, indicate present, past and future. Of other verbs, the infinitive alone is sufficient in combination with auxiliary verbs or those mentioned above, to communicate ideas in an intelligible manner. Be easily understood by the meaning of the sentence, if the isolation of a verb infinitive indicates the present or the future, or a participle used as adjective, compound with auxiliaries or other last time, will be fully clarified. The gerund can always be replaced to reduce the sentences to the simplest expressions, and with combination of being with the infinitive of the verb concerned.
There is added at the end of Dictionary a vocabulary for the Sovereign, officials and important persons, and a geographical vocabulary for locations within and outside the Empire.
In order not to increase the number of the figures to more than thousands, have been given to those words and a series of figures contained in the Dictionary. Distinguish a series of other, stressing the appendix.
Examples
S. has come M. Emperor to Puebla.
One such Goldsmith, individual suspected of being an agent of Santa-Anna, &., &.
S. M. granted a pardon request, contact V. the Political Prefect.
They are also in the Dictionary of syllables needed to compositions.
1868 Bolton’s Patent Code
for transmitting messages by the electric or magnetic telegraph. Francis John Bolton, Chatham, Captain in Her Majesty’s 12th Regiment of Foot. Inventor and Proprietor.
London: Printed by Harrison and Sons, St. Martin’s Lane
Bodleian copy, 25789 c.60
This volume appears to be incomplete. It contains 44 printed pages (including title page), its final phrase being Leeward (01450). A quick survey: title page; Symbols for Code; Special Sentences 0 / Accept freight through 99 /Sunday; followed by a longer phrase vocabulary, 000 / Call signal/ to be sent at beginning of message, through 99 / blank; A spelling vocabulary 100 / A through 859 / Zz;

detail, from Google scans of pages containing 700-800, and 900, Bolton’s Patent Code (1868)

a continuation of the spelling vocabulary, this with larger components 860 / Able through 998 / Yours, 999 / blank; and a four- (transitioning to five-) figure phrase vocabulary 0000 / Abundant through 01499 / blank.

detail, from Google scan of page 007, Bolton’s Patent Code (1868)

In Bolton’s system, sentence parts are presented in essentially the same way as are spelling components — pieces for the assembly of verbatim-like messages. As projected here — covering both commercial and social topics — his dictionary would be enormous. It contains, for example, 257 phrases with the word home, e.g., 01057 / Home late of a night, 01058 / Home late of an evening, 01063 / Home to-night, 01064 / Is from home, etc. No practical code would be compiled with so encyclopaedic a compass, and so poetic some of its selections.

Yet Bolton was serious about the undertaking; he was involved in the laying of the Atlantic Cable in 1866, and his 1871 code (described below) contains several testimonials, including one from William Thomson, Cyrus W. Field and C. F. Varley.

This is an early cable code, compiled by someone with a background in military signal codes, hence a division into sections, rather than a single phrase vocabulary. Bolton — aided by some of the best minds of England and a large staff of clerks * — boldly sought to handle both aspects of telegraphic communication: (1) code; and (2) and arrangement of phrases. That’s a tremendous ambition. This code fails to address the realities of signaling via submarine cable, above all to the induction effects on the signals themselves, and the consequent importance of packing sufficient redundancy into the code words. His phrase vocabulary is wanting, too: it comes across as a demonstration, rather than a carefully weighed offering of likely phrases. It was around the time of the publication of his second (1871) code that his attentions turned to the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians (that he was instrumental in founding, and to his new duties as water examiner in London. Numerous codes would appear in these early years, all of them indebted (at least in spirit) to his own efforts.

* The New Telegraphic Code, Chicago Tribune (December 28, 1870)

An abstract of this code can be found in US Patent No. 58,562 Improvement in Signal-Codes for Electric Telegraphs (October 2, 1866), which appears (on basis of the Patent Office abridgement) to be equivalent to GB Patent No. 1646 Improvements in the mode of transmitting messages by the electric or magnetic telegraph (June 19, 1866).
Bolton’s (incomplete?) Patent Code might have been kind of stake for a later patent — or copyright — claim. In any event, it was followed in 1871 by a second code, larger but arranged on the lines laid down here, entitled Bolton’s Telegraph Code. Here, Bolton is Major Frank Bolton. I examined the BL copy; no scan is available, to my knowledge. A short description follows.

1871 Bolton’s Telegraph Code
A Telegraphic Dictionary of the English Language, Forming a complete Code for the transmission of Telegraphic and Postal Card Messages on every subject; adapted to every branch of business, and suited for use in any language, by the employment of which Economy, Accuracy, and Secrecy are secured.
London: Longmans, Green, Reader & Dyer
British Library, shelfmark 1804.a.21

Bolton’s Telegraph Code code is divided into four parts.
1. The Special Code provides for 510 Words and Sentences of a special nature, principally intended for Commercial Telegrams.
2. The Spelling Code, provides for 8,000 Signals expressed by Figures, and forms a Spelling Code, by which any word in any language, written in Roman characters, can be spelt and transmitted.
3. The Private Code, provides for 8,000 Sentences in blank, for the Owners of the Code Books to fill up with any particular forms of Messages best suited to the special requirements of their business.
4. The General Code, provides for 100,000 Signals, and expresses nearly every word in the English language, alphabetically arranged, and numerous Sentences of frequently-ocurring combination (mostly selected from Telegraphic Messages), and also the names of most of the principal paces in the world.
These four parts are vestigial of signal codes, with their two-, three- and four-flag vocabularies. Bolton overlays on these four vocabularies, three different methods of expressing each: (1) code words; (2) code letters (1L through 4L); and (3) a figure code (pointing to page and line on page, 00-99). He takes this course to ensure that his code will satisfy different/evolving requirements by the telegraph administrations. He had initially intended to make the whole a figure code — indeed, this is precisely what his 1868 Patent Code is. But his 1871 code supplements a figure code with letter and word codes, in consequence of the decision by the British Post Office authorities to require that figures be written and charged as words. The three methods are described in the Instructions thus:
1. Word Code, by which common words, and pre-arranged sentences, are expressed by one type word, which type words have been selected from the best English Dictionaries, Directories and Gazetteers.
2. Letter Code, by which the same words and sentences are expressed by groups of letters, which never exceed 4 in number, and which have been selected in such a manner as in no case to form a word.
3. Number Code, which equally expresses the above-mentioned words and sentences, by the application of the ten numerals, on a system of page and line, forming the Code Signal.
To repeat, Bolton is convinced of the superiority of a code system of figures, as it is the best adapted for fulfilling the general requirements of codification, being at once the simplest, the most expeditious, the most accurate, the most free from incidental errors of context and association, and possing the incalculable advantage of applicability to every language containing numerals, even Chinese, he notes in his Preface to the 1871 code. But the realities of administrative needs, including the need to protect messages against mutilation in cable transmission, would complicate things. The great solution, of course, would be condensers able to convert 10-, 12- and even 13- figures into pronounceable five and ten-letter codewords.

detail, from photocopy of BL copy, Bolton’s Telegraph Code (1871)

The above shows the first 49 of 510 special terms, this first group including indicator terms, e.g., to indicate that following codewords are to be read as figures or decimals, etc.

detail, p81, from photocopy of BL copy, Bolton’s Telegraph Code (1871)

Shown above, a page selected at random from Part 4 the General code vocabulary.

Bolton’s Telegraph Code also includes a section Instructions for the use of cypher (pages xx-xxiii). Here, he provides the common device of counting a certain number of places forward or backward for any entry, when coding or decoding. Following discussion of a number of variations in this area, he suggests the use of a Cryptograph, or Cypher Wheel, involving the use of a keyword.

Francis John Bolton (1830-1887) —

Bolton is described in the DNB as an army officer and electrical engineer. His army service included artillery and development of system of visual (with P.H. Colomb) and night signalling. He was an instructor in visual signaling at the School of Military Engineering, Chatham. He was a co-founder of the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians and, as its secretary, edited that society’s journal. In 1871, Bolton was appointed Water Examiner to the city of London; he earned some fame for conceiving, designing (and even operating) colored fountains and electric illuminations at South Kensington associated with the International Health Exhibition of 1884. In addition to his Patent and Telegraph codes, Bolton authored London Water Supply (London, 1884, here). ¶ Obituaries can be found in The Telegraphic Journal and Electrical Review (January 14, 1887) here, and in the Minutes of the Proeedings (full details to come) here. Bolton also is included in the Dictionary of National Biography (Supplement, 1901, here).

I regret photocopying the entirety of the preface and instructions in the 1871 code, but only a few pages of the code itself. Will correct when able.
1870 Telegraph Code, to Ensure Secresy in the Transmission of Telegrams
by Robert Slater, Secretary of the Socièté du Cable Transatlantique Français, Limited.
London: W. R. Gray, 1870
original at Bodleian (232.g.113)
Numbered vocabulary : Abridge 00101 > Zurich 25000. The vocabulary is not specialist in any way, let alone classified. Probably best used in conjunction with specialized code, whose codewords aren’t numbered.
The code was developed solely for secrecy: all its ciphers depend on prearranged numbers or rules for addition, subtraction, transposition, alteration of series, or other (progressively) complex operations. Its examples 1–9 (pp vii – xv) are a delightful display of patter/nonsense literature, each a variation of the sentence —
The Queen is the supreme power in the Realm:
1. Bounteous wedge purifying bounteous biography transparent posed bounteous yoke
  (addition of 5555 to each word’s vocabulary number)
2. Plenty judging diatribe plenty perspective inciter crispate plenty lagoon
  (subtraction of 5555 from each word’s vocabulary number)
3. Talking remonstrated kinks talking starch promised imparted talking quote
  (transposition of last three figures for each transmitted word, e.g., 12345 becomes 12453.
4. Blundered waft presage blundered basalt tadpole pneumonia blundered why
  (add 5555, and transpose three right hand figures)
5. Pillaging jackass darn pillaging posing hulk cousin pillaging ketch
  (subtract 5555, and transpose three right hand figures)
6. Begged bulging freak catamaran beneath bedstead build corrupting claimed beneath autumn few
7. Blends celestially fivefold brigade bays Brazilian catalogue conjecturing come bays Areopagus few
  (series of five figures converted to series of four, the three right-hand figures being transposed)
8. Beneath celibate fixedness brigandine beaconage breadth catch conjugation comfort beaker argument fiddler
  (series of five figures converted to series of four, and transposed by adding 1 to the first result, 2 to the second, 3 to the third, etc.)
9. Argentine decay antispasmodic conclude beaconage anomalous constitutional dissenter caffre ascribable anneal cupping
  (results from using method described in ex 8, by transposing the order of words in the message itself)
1871 Private Telegraphic Code. R. G. Musgrove & Son.
New Orleans and Liverpool.
Liverpool: Joseph A. D. Watts and Co. Printers.
original at Bodleian (25789.e.2, accession 31 July 1884)
40 numbered pages, all recto; verso pages unnumbered. Recto pages contain tables and phrases; verso pages provide 12 codewords with empty space for phrases. Presumably, the latter would pertain to the topics covered on the facing recto page.
Table 1 : Number of Bales, and price per lb, cost, freight and insurance. (pp 1-2)
Table 2 : Number of Bales and price per lb, laid down on quay, in Liverpool. (pp 3-5)
Numbers and Number of Bales (pp 5-6)
Fractions, decimals, per cents; price per lb. (p7)
Advice of Terms of Orders (p8)
Classifications (p8)
Classifications 10 columns x 13 rows (p9)

page 9 (margins cropped, and rotated 90 degrees), Private Telegraphic Code. R. G. Musgrove & Son. (1871)

Liverpool Classifications (p10)
Sundry Advices of Style, &,. (quality, description) (p11)
Advice of Staple and Colour (8 columns x 19 rows) (p12)
Advice of Style of Purchases (p13)
Advice of Buying (p14)
Advice of Shipping (p15)
Advice of Orders (p16)
Alteration of orders, discretion and altering limits, time in force and cancelling. (p17)
Inquiries.—Liverpool to New Orleans. (pp 18-19)
Advice of Firm Sales. (p19)
Answers from New Orleans to Liverpool. (p20)
Sundry Advices.—New Orleans to Liverpoo. Advice of Firm Offers, of Insurances, of Dates. (p22)
Quotations, including cost, freignt and insurance. (table) (pp23-25)
Rules for Quotations. (p25)
Examples of Quotations. (p26)
Example in case of excessive dearness. (where whole quotation is (to be raised) 10 pence per lb.) (p26)
Examples provide for quotations for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and even six classes, by expressing quote for first grade, and differences from that for each of the succeeding (and progressively lesser) grades. Suggests that figures can be cabled as such (which was probably not safe).

Quotations. (phrases) (p27)
Complaints of Shipments. (p27)
Advice of Letters. Advice of Cables and Cypher. (pp 28-29)
Advice of Market (3 cols New Orleans, Liverpool, Manchester) (p29)
Advice of Market. (1 col) (pp 30-31)
Advice of Sales and Firm Offers only. Number of Bales and price per lb, including cost, freight and insurance, and 6 per cent loss in weight. (pp 31-33)
Advice of Crop, Supply, Receipts and Exports. (pp 34-35)
Advice of Ships and Freights. (pp 35-36)
Advice of Drafts and Standing of Firms. (pp37-38)
Sundries. (sentence fragments, e.g., all same, all right, and Scientific / Divide into lots. (pp39-40)
1871 Dianxin xinfa 電信新法
S. A. Viguier, revised by De Mingzai 德明在 on the basis of Viguier’s 1871 code.
Published in Tongzhi xinwei (1871).
original at Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Oriental and Judaica Collections (Copenhagen)
Opens at page 97, near end of book, showing codes for alphabetical letters A through Z (7961 through 7986), and figures 1 through 0 (7991 through 8000).
See pages 98 and 99 for The Great Northern Telegraph / China and Japan Extension Company. Page 99 provides information in four-figure codes, and page 98 provides (same? but quick/cursory check suggests not) information in Chinese characters. See also pages 8 and 9 for English-language preface by C. M. Têh, written in Paris, November, 1871.
Something on Chinese telegraph code at wikipedia; see also Jim Reeds on this topic here.
1872 Dianbao xinshu 電報新書
New numbercode for the telegraph in Chinese made by S. A. Viguier in 1871 based on the first invented code made by the Dane H.C.F.C Schjellerup from 1871. No internal reference (in English, anyway) to the Great Northern Telegraph Company.
Published in Shanghai in Tongzhi shiyi (1872).
original at Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Oriental and Judaica Collections (Copenhagen)
Opens to front (Chinese) cover.
Like the preceding (1871) publication, characters arranged by radicals; differs from that edition by presenting figures in Chinese characters; and (apparently, need to confirm) provides a means for secret ciphering.
1872 Watts’s Telegraphic Cypher
Liverpool: Printed and Published by Joseph A. D. Watts, 1872
At Bodleian (196.e.20)
cotton code, in three parts,
1. a table containing the figures 1-xxxxx, together with instructions for order of figures, i.e., first figure to express whether cost and freight, per steamer or sail, or cost, freight and insurance, per sail; second figure to express the price; third figure to express the quality; and fourth figure to express the quantity;
2. dictionary furnishing words for the numbers, but these words must be restricted solely to the use in connection with the numbers as to be constructed on the basis of the table; and
3. an appendix, containing cypher for
  a. Prices rising every sixteenth.
  b. Numbers.
  c. Descriptions and classifications of cotton.
  d. Quotations.
  e. A set of cyphers for shipments from the different parts of the United States
  f. Cyphers for the transmission of orders, increasing, reducing, or other remarks about limits.
  g. Remarks about firm offers.
  h. Consignments and advances.
  i. Freights.
  k. Insurance.
  l. Limits for time and duration of firm offers.
  m. Shipments.
  n. Crop accounts.
  o. Market reports.
  p. Contracts for forward delivery.
  q. Monetary drafts, credits, etc.
The scanned copy misses the table, unless I am misreading pp 1 (100/aachen) through 66 (9999/tippencac); this being followed by pp 68-69 A. cyphers rising every sixteenth, and so forth. It may be that a table exists, but is omitted in the scan because it is on hidden side of foldout page. Still, the protocols of cypher construction might be clear enough to moot use of a table; three examples are given on page iv —

The code seems rather more cumbersome and dangerous than later cotton codes of Meyer and others.
1873 ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code
Specially adapted for the use of Financiers, Merchants, Shipowners, Brokers, Agents, &c — Simplicity, Economy & Secrecy

W. Clauson-Thue. London: Rock Terrace, Talfourd Road, Peckham, 1873
At Bodleian (196.e.26)
1874 ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code (second edition)
Specially adapted for the use of Financiers, Merchants, Shipowners, Brokers, Agents, &c — Multum in Parvo — Second Edition.
W. Clauson-Thue. London: Eden Fisher, 1874
At Bodleian (196.e.35)
Excluding front matter, this is 312pp, versus 216pp in the first (1873) edition.
A Note to the Second Edition explains that this to have been carefully revised and considerably enlarged by numerous additions adapted to suit the requirements of all branches of commercial interest... There is also an explanation of the requirement by telegraph administrations that words that can be found in Webster’s are charged at an ordinary (presumably advantageous) rate. It appears that codewords generated by a cipher table at pp viii-ix would not satisfy that requirement.
1874 Bloomer’s Commercial Cryptograph, Telegraph Code and Double Index-Holocryptic Cipher
J. G. Bloomer. San Francisco: A. Roman & Co., 1874
original at Stanford (384.2 B655)
By the use of this work, Business Communications of whatever nature may be telegraphed with Secrecy and Economy.
1874 The General Telegraph Code
Compiled for the use of Bankers, Merchants, Brokers, and Sharebrokers, for the economical and secret transmission of mercantile telegrams.
By the author of the Cotton Telegraph Code. [Henry Robert Meyer]
London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., Paternoster Row. St. Petersburg: Watkins and Co. 1874 From whom Special Private Editions may be obtained.
xvi, 270 + 12 unpaginated blue ruled sheets (24 pp) at end
At Bodleian (25789.d.56)
English dictionary codewords.
1874 The International Mercantile Telegraph Code
Compiled for the use of bankers, merchants, manufacturers, contractors, brokers, shipowners, &c., and their agents, for the economical and secret transmission of Business Telegrams. The ciphers being words of ten letters or under, to meet the requirements of the rules adopted at the St. Petersburg Interational Telegraph Conference of 1875.
By the author of the General Telegraph Code, the Cotton Telegraph Code, &c. [Henry Robert Meyer]
London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., 32 Paternoster Row. Liverpool Agents: J. Mawdsley and Son, Castle Street.
At Bodleian (25789.d.11)
English dictionary codewords. 226pp.
1875 Watts’s Telegraphic Cypher, Revised Edition
In words of ten letters to suit the regulations of the St. Petersburg Convention.
Liverpool: Printed and Published by Joseph A. D. Watts and Co., 1875

Pronounceable codewords. Dictionary for numbers pp 1-44 — 100/Aachen > 9999/Tatouhou; followed by phrase appendix pp 25-103 (devoted to cotton and cotton related); followed by Detector pp 106-107, showing likely Morse errors.
At Bodleian
1876 ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code (third edition)
Specially adapted for the use of Financiers, Merchants, Shipowners, Brokers, Agents, &c. — Multum in Parvo. Third Edition.
W. Clauson-Thue. London: Eden Fisher, 1876
At Bodleian (196.e.41)
1876 Banking Telegraphy
Combining Authenticity, Economy, and Secrecy. Being a Code for the Use of Bankers and Merchants.
Robert Slater. London: W. R. Gray, Change Alley, Cornhill, 1876
at Bodleian (196.h.33)

Tables, across two pages, throughout.
Table of Contents.
Introduction (3). Tests for Messages (7). Key to verify amount transmitted (8). List of words illustrating ditto (10). Mode of using the Code (11). Messages illustrating the mode of using the Code (12). Secret method of Spelling Names, &c (13). Cash Payments (14). Credits (16). Bills of Exchange (18-27). Document Bills (28-33). Lost or Missing Cheques (34). Lost or Missing Drafts (36). Orders to Cancel previous instructions (38). Enquiries and Replies touching Credit of Firms (40). Rumours Current (42). Gold, Bonds and Exchange, Movements therein (44). Produce Markets, Movements therein (46). Purchases and Sales, and Enquiries thereon (48). Telegrams, Enquiries and Instructions respecting them (50). Letters, ditto (52). Amounts or Numbers (54-67). Shillings and Pence (68). Calendar (70).

pp42-43 ex Banking Telegraphy (1876)

The larger (and more legible) Google scan of these pages can be found here. A panoptic presentation of message components (and their codeword intersections) such as that above, allows the user to survey at one glance a range of options. The vocabulary is controlled, of course. Where an important rumour is not represented by the available phrases, a user might 1 engineer something from elsewhere in this volume, or 2 resort to another code, or 3 s-p-e-l-l it out; additions would be circulated to holders of the code for inclusion and potential future use.
1876 The Three Letter Code
For Condensed Telegraphic and Inscrutably Secret Messages and Correspondence.
E(benezer) Erskine Scott, Actuary and Accountant, London. London, 1876.
At Bodleian (25789.d.42)
Impractical and inferior to other codes already available. Use of pre-concerted keyword enables a variety of permutations of three-letters to generate cryptograms. one three-letter code per word (not phrases).
This copy (like same at BL), seems to be deposited to protect copyright; it provides a four-page explanatory preface, a two-page examples and illustrations, and three pages of vocabulary.
Its Table of Contents projects a volume of 227+ pages.
1877 Ager’s Shipping Telegraph Code, for the use of Shipowners, Captains, &c.
Compiled by Geo. Ager, LL.D. Author of the Telegram Code, The Social Code, &c.
London: Norie & Wilson, 157, Leadenhall Street, E.C..
Bodleian copy (accession date : December 1877)
Preface iii-iv; Classified Index v-viii; code 1-304 — including spare words commencing p276.

In his preface, Ager thanks shipping firms for the liberal manner in which they have placed their Private Codes at his disposal. Codewords are taken from his Telegram Code, supplemented by others of nine and ten letters, and also by some of the more common Latin words. He also discusses the elision of about 1,500 common names, to avoid confusion with ship names, with this observation: However, as ships are named on such various principles, or without any principle at all, the author may not have succeeded entirely in this respect...
Codewords are numbered up to the commencement of Tables, so as to provide a means of giving them double duty: indicator of phrase, or figure. The addition of the letter C to a code word indicates that the succeeding word represents its cypher (figure), not phrase. Tables commence at p262 (for days, decimal currencies, sterling, freight rates, and discount percents).

p184 (margins cropped) ex Ager’s Shipping Telegraph Code (1877)

At this time, shipping firms/captains might have been more familiar with codes not strictly following alphabetical order, but grouping at least some phrases in thesauric categories as exemplified in nautical codes and in Scott’s Code (1880, 1883). Ager stuck with alphabetical order in all his codes, and also provides a thorough classified index.

1877 Telegraphic cypher of Julius Büttner, Mobile Alabama.

Mobile: Prices-Current Job Print. 1877.
original at NYPL

cotton, rosin
no tables

Examples the earlier practice in which different topics are indicated by codewords with respective initial letters, e.g., A for Quantities or Numbers, E for Insurance and Freights, and T for Miscellaneous.

Also of interest is the instruction at p2 for the Rotation of my Daily Dispatches —

First Word Day’s receipts

Second Word Price of Good Ordinary Mobile Classification

Third Word Price of Low Middling Mobile Classification

Fourth Word Price of Middling Mobile Classification

Fifth Word Freight to Liverpool

Sixth Word Market Report

1878 The Cotton Telegraph Code
with ciphers not exceeding ten letters... Thirty-third Edition, for the use of the American Cotton Trade
H. R. Meyer. Liverpool, 1878
At Bodleian (25789 d. 154)
Major code
1878 A. Chesebrough’s Private Telegraphic Code
San Francisco: A.L. Bancroft & Company, Printers, 1878
At UC Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Shipping, chartering. 16pp only, and code on pp 3-8, 9-16
p3 bears LC no. HE7676 C45 (x).
1878 Telegraphic Cipher Code
— Especially Adapted to the Cotton Trade.
Alfred B. Shepperson. New York, 1878
University of California
For domestic use; Shepperson’s Standard Telegraphic Cipher Code (1881) was conceived for international cabling.
1879 Private Telegraphic Code of Heath & Finnemore, Produce & Commission Merchants..
London, Ontario. Vivian Printing House, 398 Clarence Steet, 1879.
Open Library metadata:
Tables.
Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the University of Western Ontario, D.B. Weldon Library, London. Ottawa : Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions, 1993.
iv, 41 p. ; 26 x 20 cm.
Dewey Decimal Class 384.1/4

Grain (wheat), flour, butter, cheese, clover, peas (including Black-eyed Marrowfats at p39), oatmeal. All English dictionary codewords, whose initials indicate category/section of code. Phrases and tables.

page 8, Private Telegraphic Code of Heath & Finnemore, Produce & Commission Merchants. (1879)

page 30, Private Telegraphic Code of Heath & Finnemore, Produce & Commission Merchants. (1879)
Uses partical prices in quotations/orders tables. Some tables (but not the one shown above), provide good explanations: e.g., —
No mistake can be made in Flour to extent of 5/-. 0/0 stands for 15/-, 20/-, 25-, 30-, &c. Thus, Trading would stand for 19/6, 24/6, 29/6, 34/6, &c.
or
It is supposed that an error of 20- in the Article Quoted can scarcely arise.

Handsome typography, judging from scan of microform.
1879 J. R. Foster’s Private Telegraphic Code
covering general business transactions, for the use of his correspondents only.
Moncton, N.B. Daily Times Print, Moncton. 1879.
Open Library metadata: Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the National Library of Canada. Ottawa : Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions, 1993.
iv, [3]-56, [8] p. ; 14 cm.
Dewey Decimal 384.1/4 ; LC HE7677 G7 F67 1879

pp 38-39 (as appear in PDF spread), J. R. Foster’s Private Telegraphic Code (1879)

Instructions pp 1-2; Names of articles, specified quantities 3-4; quotations and quantities 5-9; letters, ec. 10-11; state of the market p 11; About buying (customer) 12-14; About buying (commission merchant) 14-15; About selling (customer) 16-17; About selling (commission merchant) 17-19; About holding and storing 19-20; About arrival and condition of goods, rejections, &c, 21-22; Miscellaneous 22-25; About buying/ time of delivery or shipment, 26-27; About shipping 28-31; Freights 31-32; Banking, financial and bills of lading, 33-42; Standing of firms, 42-43; Interest & commmission 43-46; Telegraphing, Correspondence and Communications 46-52; Insurance 53; Flour, grades & quantities, 54-56; Weights [57]; Key (cipher) [57]; non-code : Railroad freights (shipping rates, etc., [3 unnumbered pages]; index [2 unnumbered pages]

good code, phrase-wise; poor quality film/scan.
1879 The Phillips Telegraphic Code
for the rapid transmission by telegraph of press reports, commercial and private telegrams, and all other matter sent by wire or cable.
Walter Polk Phillips. Washington, D.C., Gibson Brothers, Printers. 1879
NYPL
Operator’s code, abbreviations for words and short common phrases More on the Phillips Code at wikipedia; a transcription (by Joseph Hartmann) here. The Morse Telegraphic Club maintains other material, as well as links, on telegraphy; a two-page condensed version of Phillips can be found at their telegraph documents page.
1879 Private Cable Code for the Timber Trade.
Price & Pierce, London.
WLondon: J. Gilbert and Co., 18, Gracechurch Street, E.C.
Google scan of Bodleian copy 25789.e.3, (accession 31 July 1884)

[6], 1-174 and several [6?] blank sheets in back. TOC at (v-vi). Prices, quantities, specifications, special sizes, Descriptions and Specifications for a variety of wood types pp 57-94; also much on freights and chartering, selling and buying, reports and complaints, insurance, and names (styles) of firms.

pp 64-65 (cropped), Descriptions and Specifications, ex Private Cable Code for the Timber Trade. (1879)

Phrases, some x-y tables (in which codeword is intersection of two facets), shown below. Ample blank (skeleton) codewords for augmentations.

pp 106-07 (cropped), showing phrases and tables for Freights and Chartering, ex Private Cable Code for the Timber Trade. (1879)
1879 Telegraphic Codex
to accompany Port charges and requirements on vessels in the various ports of the world.With tables of moneys, weights, and measures of all nations, and a telegraphic codex for masters, owners, and ship brokers. By Theodore Hunter and Jarvis Patten, under the recommendation of the Maritime Association of the port of New York.
New York: J. Wiley & Sons, 1879.
Google scan, also available via Hathi Trust (viewable online, single pages downloadable, entirety only via partner institutions), here.
The first part of the volume provides information on principal ports of North (and Latin) America, including maps (e.g., Baltimore Harbor, Galveston Harbor, San Francisco).
The Telegraphic Codex starts at (unnumbered) page 300, commencing a new pagination 1-150. Part IV. Special Phraseology starts code page 110 here.The code is preceded by a one-page Directions for use, a three-page, three-column index, and the table of contents shown below —

from Port Charges and Requirements on Vessels (1879); page cropped
The code employs English and near-English dictionary codewords of various lengths, as short as four letters (tool / Lost part of deck load), up to 11 or 12 letters (unhappiness / It is the order of). Some of the pairings are charming: twaddle / Vessel referred to must be RECLASSED, twang / Vessel has been reclassed. The decision to combine code and information about port charges in a single large volume may have been unwise: port circumstances would likely have been subject to constant change, and the code is not designed to easily accommodate augmentations. A sample page is shown below.
ex Port Charges and Requirements on Vessels (1879); page cropped
1880 International Telegraphic Code
Printed and published by J.A.D. Watts and Co. Liverpool
Bodleian copy, (OC) 196 h.46

A figure code that does little more than offering 99,999 numbered codewords, and a few words of suggestion as to use.

Consists of a two-page preface; followed by Tables A (visible in this scan), B and C (obscured by paper fold: cannot even be sure both are present; and the code proper, starting at page 1 (100 / aalbaum) and running through page 333 (99999 untertasse); p334 Quotations for Limits, &c. (untervogt / 1/32) through page 335 (verdict 21 9/16); page 336 Numbers (verdieping / 1 through verplagt (?) / 6,000,000); and pp 337 (Verpligten) through page 400 (ending with Wortfolge), these latter being spare codewords.

Table A (example), International Telegraphic Code (1880)
From the Preface, this —
The success which attended the production of a former Code on the same principle in 1875, has induced the compilation of the present work on a more extended scale, in accordance with the Rules of the Eastern Telegraph Convention held in August last. // The Dictionary extends to 99,999, and offers the great advantage of a five Cypher Key, and as the numbering commences at 100 it also offers the further advantage of working a four Cypher Key. Cyphers are provided for Quotations and Limits, &c. and Numbers, also for phrases to suit individual requirements. // The two Tables, A and B, show the adaptability of the system, but as it is impossibe to foresee the wants of every merchant, the Tables are simply given to show the manner of working, and it will be the task of every purchaser to arrange them to suit his special purposes." Table A is made up for the East Indian Cotton trade Table B is framed for the Brazilian Trade doesn't show Table C example (or it is folded in, to show only part)
1880 Combination Telegraph Code
Arranged by Thomas Parker. Manchester, 1880
At Oxford University
Root and terminal (stems and terminations), Latin verbs of first and third conjugations only. A shipping code, comprised ot tables allowing 161,280 essentially different telegrams whose facets are qualities (56 possible), prices (72), quantities (10) and times of shipment or delivery (four).
1880 ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code (fourth edition)
Specially adapted for the use of Financiers, Merchants, Shipowners, Brokers, Agents, &c — Multum in Parvo. Simplicity and Economy Palpable, Secrecy Absolute. — Fourth Edition.

W. Clauson-Thue. London: Eden Fisher, 1880
At Bodleian (196.e.56)
Another online encoding/decoding utility, based on the ABC Fourth, can be found here. The idea appears to be, to use the code more like a texting utility, on the fly. Assemble a message piece by piece... In fact, there were some patents for such utilities (ccl 380/56), for example —

US 1,570,178 1926 F. Prevost Code Machine

US 1,598,437 1926 K. S. Guiterman Coding Device

US 1,749,933 1930 H. R. Barnett Apparatus for selective verbatim coding and decoding

I doubt these devices went into production. Usage of the codes was as much an art as a rote look-up-and-click operation. Will need to spend more time with this. The ABC Fourth was a beautiful achievement, yielding secrecy and economy yes, but also poetry.
1880 Ager’s Telegraphic Primer or Skeleton Telegram Code
Consisting of 16,000 good English telegraphic words, compiled from the dictionaries of Webster and Nuttall.
by Geo. Ager, LL.D., author of The Social Code, The Standard Telegram Code, The Telegram Code, and Ager’s Shipping Telegram Code.
London: Dr. Ager, 50, Wellington Road, Stoke Newington, N., 1880
At Bodleian (196.h.62)
blank code: 000 / aback > 248,999 septennial. Ager’s preface is instructive —
Preface.
The Telegraphic Primer has been compiled to suit a large body of Merchants, who, on commencing business, wish to make their own Codes, and has been prepared upon a plan which experience has suggested to the Compiler is expecially suited to that purpose.

The words—16,000 in number—are all good Dictionary words, and are all to be found in the Dictionaries of Webster or Nuttall.

The words are all accompanied with cyphers. In the first 6,000 the cyphers proceed from 000 to 999 in separate thousands, as they are intended to facilitate the filling up of the Code at both ends, the Merchant in England filling up the odd numbers, and his correspondent the even numbers.

The first 160 pages are printed with 25 words per page, and afford facilities for writing any of the longer sentences. The next 40 pages (161-200) contain two columns of 25 words each, and are intended to afford Code Words for the names of articles, indents, and shorter sentences, &c.

The remaining 10,000 words, intended for Tables, Market Advices, Prices, &c., are arranged in closer columns of 50 words per column on the last 48 pages. The numbers indicating the thousands have been omitted at the head of the columns, so as to admit of their being added from the beginning or only from page 161.

The Author is preparing a small work on Coding which will be ready shortly.
1880 The Telegram Code
Consisting of nearly 56,000 good telegraphic words, 45,000 of which do not exceed eight letters. Compiled from the languages sanctioned at the London telegraph convention, 1879.
G. Ager. Third Edition. London: Dr. Ager, 1880
original at Harvard University, Cabot Library (Eng 4348.80.3)
By good telegraphic words is meant pronounceable words (as required by European telegraph administrations) that are sufficiently different from each other to be distinguishable from others even in the event of mutilation in transmission.
The code words are numbered, so that in some pre-concerted applications, the codewords could stand for a phrase alone, and/or for their respective figures. Thus, Encenago might signify either "Large clip of (Wool) this season" or the figure 14746. Ager instances the codeword Mutual 29795, which might be agreed to indicate time (first figure), destination (second figure), price (third and fourth figures) and order number (last figure). Thus : 2, 9, 79, 5 could signify : 2 (within 21 days), 9 (to Glasgow), 79 (at 16s. 9d. per barrel), and 5 (This is order No. 5).
This copy is stamped B. S. Pray & Co., and includes holograph additions relating to wool, e.g., Batuffo 164/39 / The wool is full of carrot seed.
The Telegram Code provides numerous blank tables, in the form of five columns of code words on a page facing a column of code words. The user fills in the column at left with names of the leading articles traded in, or with different qualities of the same and the headings to the columns at right with other facets of information (e.g., mode of shipment, or quantity). The arrangement — which is commonly encountered in the code dictionaries — allows of a better surveyability and saving of space but does not result in a saving of the number of indications, i.e., code words or ordinals. (Barto 1934 : 36)
British Library lists numerous codes compiled by Ager, including general, social, special (engineering, shipping, financial) and private (indigo) codes, as well as combination codes; he also compiled several lists of code words complying with Telegraph Convention rules. It is likely that Ager compiled other private codes, consistent with his willingness, expressed in the preface, to assist purchasers of the Code who may wish to construct Special Tables with the Cyphers.
1880 Private Telegraph Code of Hamilton, Fraser & Co.
Liverpool, 1880
At Bodleian (196.h.54)
shipping.
1880 Maguire’s Code of Ciphers:
A comprehensive system of cryptography designed for general use and arranged in conformity with the rules and regulations adopted by the International Convention of Telegraph Companies, respecting Secret Language Telegrams.
Charles H(enry). J(Joseph). Maguire, Chief Accountant of the Union Bank of Lower Canada. Quebec, 1880.
Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the D.B. Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario
[eight prelim pages (only v and vii paginated)]; 1-113, [1]; index tabs at right.
LC describes thus : vii, 113, [1] p. 21 cm.; call number: HE7673 .M23
Introduction pp v-vi, followed on p vii by a (transposition) key, one column of which is filled in.
one page geographical names, two of banking phrases (pp99-101), and numbers pp 102-103; the rest is 18,000 words, each indicated by a 3-letter cipher, whose letters in turn point to page (table), column, and word.
In essence a three-letter code, each 3L cipher pointing to a location in the book. Brings to mind John Brookes his Alphabet Telegraph Code, specially prepared for the butter and general provision trades (Manchester, 1889). Maguire did not elaborate a phrase vocabulary, however, beyond the two pages shown below.

details, ex Maguire’s Code of Ciphers (1880), pp 100-101, from scanned films

Could not work in this form for cable; purely suited to secrecy, not safety.
1880 The Commercial Telegraph Code
— for the use of Bankers, Merchants, Manufacturers, and Brokers and their Agents. A re-compiled edition of the International Telegraph Code, with Ciphers of ten letters or under, and specially selected to meet the requirements of the Rules adopted at the London International Conference of 1879,
Compiled by H. R. Meyer, B12, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, author of the International, General, Cotton Telegraph Codes, etc.
London: Hamilton, Adams & Co, 1880; Liverpool Agents, J. Mawdsley & Son.
At Bodleian (196.e.61)
Important Notice. The International Telegraph Code.
The International Telegraph Congress, held in London this year (1879), having decided to prohibit the use of proper names used adjectively, the author of the International Telegraph Code much regrets to be compelled to issue a New Edition of that work for use with countries affected by the new rules, as it contained some ciphers which come under the above clause. For such countries as are unaffected by the rules of Telegraph Congress — for instance, the United States — the original edition will remain as effective as ever, and therefore, in announcing the issue of a new edition, the author desires it to be distinctly understood, that the original edition of the International Telegraph Code will be continued as heretofore. In order to distinguish the new edition from the old, it will be published under the name of the Commercial Telegraph Code. at 25ss. per Copy.
1880 Law’s mercantile cipher code
— for forwarding business communications by telegraph, telephone or postal card, with secrecy and economy. Published by W. A. Law & Co., Union Loan Buildings, Nos. 28 and 30 Toronto Street / In use by subscribers and attorneys of the Canadian Reporting and Collecting Association
Toronto: Bingham & Taylor, Printers, 33 Colborne St. 1880
Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the National Library of Canada; Microfilm is of poor quality.
(English) dictionary codewords. All codewords/phrases are numbered, with extra blank provided for private code words, to be selected from codewords provided, along the lines of Slaters.
instructions and examples pp 106; blank cipher code 7-14, weights and quantities 15; freights 15-16; railways 16017; state of markets 17; time 18; drawing 18; financial 19-20; communications 20-21; notes and protests 21; selling 21-22; buying 22-23; shipping and forwarding 23-24; arrivals 24; advances 24-25; commission 25; interest 25-26; stocks, banks, etc. 26-27; insurance companies 28; railways [bonds] 28-29; mercantile reports — amounts 29-32; articles [e.g., Wheat, No. 1 Spring] 32-34; hardware 34-35; oils 35-36; lumber 36; months 36-37; leather 37-39; tanner’s supplies 39; terms 39-40; miscellaneous 40-44; index 45
1880 Appendix Telegraph Code —
A Blank Code of German Ciphers, selected to meet the requirements of the rules passed at the London Telegraph Congress of 1879.
Compiled by H. R. Meyer, B12, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, author of the Commercial Telegraph Code, International Telegraph Code, General Telegraph Code, and Cotton Telegraph Code, To which it is intended as a Supplement, as well as to Private Codes
London: Hamilton, Adams & Co, 1880; Liverpool Agents, J. Mawdsley & Son.
At Bodleian (196.e.62)
1880 Cypher Code
Compiled by Messrs. Phipps & Co. for their own use and for the use of Messrs. J. L. Phipps & Co. of New York
Liverpool, 1880
original at Bodleian (196.e.63)
coffee, and (to a lesser degree) River Plate produce, cereals, cotton
elaborate tables for combinations of grades, intelligence on tone of market, etc. to be compared against other coffee codes, including Doane.

1881 The A.B.C. domestic code
— All words of six to ten letters, from Webster’s Dictionary.

Henry Harvey 125 Pearl Street, New York. 1881
original at Harvard’s Cabot Library : Eng 4348.81

Several pages of preliminary matter (title page, intro) followed by code pp 1-360.

Codewords at outside columns; most spreads provide blanks on one page, phrases (or occasional tables) on other. Handsome typography.

A.B.C. / The Send-off.
The principal idea in a Code Book on this plan is that it requires no Introduction or Explanation whatever. He who runs may read a message, or send one off, with equal facility; All the Leading Words, printed in SMALL CAPITALS, being run in strict Alphabetical order like a Dictionary, as are also the Code Words, over Ten Thousand in number. Only, when you don’t find a needed phrase under one of its Leading Words, try under another.
In making up the Sentences, I have sought to cover General Domestic requirements rather than Specialties of any particular trade, though some of these may be found too.

	Abandon the whole thing.	disemploy
	Abandon to insurance.	disempower
	The color will answer, but the quality won’t do.	flipdog
	Be very careful about color.	flipflap
	Thermometer now — degrees below zero.	thuringite
	Thermometer now — degrees above zero.	thussock
		thwacks

Tables include p124 for dimensions in feet, or pp 220-221 for percentages.

A second edition appears in 1885, with a 60-page appendix of additional matter, e.g., sterling amounts, but also new phrases.

1881 Macgregor’s Variation Tables for Code Telegraphing
Table of fifteen signs for indexing telegrams and other purposes.
Manchester: Palmer and Howe, n.d. (but accession Bibliotheca Bodleiana May 1881)
original at Bodleian (196.h.48); also BL 8756.ee.29
Preface v-x; (2); 1-147; Suggestions for Tabulated Forms 148-150
N.B. : I have not examined a physical copy, but all printed pages 1-147 appear to be recto only, obverse blank.The book has two parts: the first is a figure code, whose figures indicate sequences of letters from one to 15 letters in length, each respectively indicating a topic (and or table) from which the meanings of successive following codewords are to be found; the second (and arguably more useful) part is a suggestion for generating a figure code for tables of different numbers of columns. The author P Macgregor writes in his (promotional-toned) preface that his Table is compiled on a system that is entirely different from that of any published code, and that it has been in constant use in the author’s own business (between England and South America) for several years with perfect success. I have not yet been able to learn who P Macgregor, or his business, was.

The Variation Tables —
These tables provide indicator figures, each indicating the topics (and their associated tables) from which subsequent codewords are to be looked up. Here is an example of such figures and index letter sequences —

ex Macgregor’s Variation Tables for Code Telegraphing (1881), p98 (detail)

The cipher 22800 (whether expressed as a figure, or converted into a pronounceable codeword) indicates that the succeeding codewords regard topics F, G, I, K, L, M, N and O, in that order. Macgregor gives the following suggestion about what such index letters could indicate —

ex Macgregor’s Variation Tables for Code Telegraphing (1881), p vii (detail)

The main purpose of this system is to get the most out of limited number of codewords — limited either because of cable administration rulings, or the shortage of safe and euphonious codewords for assembly of a larger code. By this system, a single codeword can be used for up to 14 meanings (signs A through N) or, as Macgregor writes, a code capable of expressing a hundred thousand words becomes becomes practically equal to one of nearly a million and a half of Code words. This is made possible by the index system, providing a map, as it were, to how to translate a succession of codewords by pointing to their respective topics or locations within a code.

The requirement that the variations are always to be placed in alphabetical order would potentially limit flexibility about message construction.

Suggestions for Tabulated Forms —
Macgregor’s system is designed to work with tables; this section feels like an afterthought, but in fact integrates well with index code just described, and is a pretty good exposition of a method for assembling tables for use with a figure code. I don’t however have a good sense of the degree to which it was used in practice. Shown below is the second example provided for a four-column (four heading) table, within the power of a Code of 10,000 words (words here meaning, separate items/indications) —

two examples for a table of four unequal columns... within the power of a Code of 10,000 words,
ex Macgregor’s Variation Tables for Code Telegraphing (1881), pp 149-50 (rearranged for this presentation)

So how does this work?

First, it assumes tables. A table would be devoted to a specific topic, e.g., Shipments to Manchester. Each of the four headings/columns would indicate some facet of meaning relating to those. For example:
Column 1 : month or other timeframe, 14 possible meanings;
Column 2 : price (possibly partical price,), 11 meanings;
Column 3 : quality, 8 meanings; and
Column 4 : some other specification (e.g., color, or indicator for following code word/figure), 10 meanings —

Second, let us say a coded message 6,291 is received. We understand it to be derived from a table with four columns. We unpack it as follows:
The largest figure in Column 1 that is contained in that figure is 5600 (sign 9). Remainder (6,291 minus 5,600) is 691.
Largest figure in Column 2 is 630 (sign 10), remainder 60.
60 in Column 3 is Sign 7.
There is no remainder, and so there is nil value for the fourth position.
The message would be 9 - 10 - 7 - nil, whatever values 9, 10, and 7 respectively pointed to.

Third, one would commence compiling a Table from the right, the rate of progression being the top number reached in the last column. In the example above, the top figure in Column 4 is 10, and so the rate of progression in Column 3 is 10; top figure in Column 3 is 70, and so the rate of progression in Column 2 is 70; and so on.

Because there would probably be several — and even many — such tables in a large code, there would also need to be indicators (possibly contained in Column 4, in this example) of those tables. I.e., last sign 4 might mean, turn to Table D to translate next code word/figure.

The 10,000 mentioned by Macgregor isn’t clear to me: 14 x 11 x 8 x 10 = 12,320 (so perhaps I’m misunderstanding this).
Macgregor offers no examples containing phrases or full (plaintext) messages.

Mr Herb’s Numbers
Barto discusses what is essentially the same system in his Economy and Technique of Codes and Code-Condensers (1934) pp38-41, at the end of a section on tables. Barto gives an example taken from C Herb’s Code-telegrafie voor handel en nijverheid (Amsterdam, 1903 — itself a free translation from Herb’s Kaufmännische Telegrammatik (Leipzig, 1900)) — employing 46,800 code words in five headings (or columns) in a table. (I may show this later).

The Barto example concerns shipments to Manchester, by the way.

Finally
The title page asserts that This work is copyright, both in principle and detail, and each copy of the book is said to bear the written signature of the author (as this one does). The principle is probably more important than the text, in this case, and it might arguably be better protected by patent than copyright. Indexing systems were patented in the United States; this may not have been the case in Britain at the time, however.
1881 Whittingham’s Skeleton Telegraph Code.
...A Secret, expansive code for ordinary business purposes. With code words representing fractions, weights, numbers, pounds sterling, merchants’ orders, every date in the year, &c., including blank pages and extra lines available for 4,148 special messages. All Code Words revised under the latest International Regulations.
London: W. B. Whittingham & Co., 1881
original at Bodleian (25789.e.5)
Copyright page advert describes Whittingham & Co. thus : Wholesale & Retail Manufacturing & Export Stationers, account book makers; commercial, law and general steam printers; lithographers & engravers of bills of exchange, bills of lading, promissory notes, bankers’ cheques. Printers in all heads of Plain and Chromo-Litho Circulars and Price Currents. Booksellers and Publishers. Office for The Peninsular and Oriental, The British India, Australian, Eastern Trade, Cape, Continental, Sailing, and other Bills of Lading.
Works — 4, White Hart Court, Bishopgate Church.
91, Gracechurch Street, London, E.C. (six doors from Cornhill).
blank. pp 195-205 are a Merchants’ Secret Order Code, being three columns of code words (1-16) arrayed with blank row and column heads
1881 Wilson’s Ship Broker’s Telegraph Code
Compiled specially for chartering negotiations.
London: Effingham Wilson, 1881
Bodleian (196.e.80)
Ship brokerage, especially American grain and cotton trades — The combinations and sentences have, however, as far as possible, been so arranged as to make them suitable for other trades.
1881 Private Telegraphic Code with James Adam, Son & Co.
Liverpool, 1881. Third Edition.

Printed at the Liverpool Mail Office, Central Chambers, South Castle Street.
Bodleian copy, accession 28? November 1883.
Produce. Phrase headings for almonds, currants, dates, eggs, figs, grapes, guano, lemons, linseed, melons, nuts, onions, oranges, pears, pine apples, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, potatoes, prunes, raisins, rice, salmon, sardines, tomatoes and wool.

Hard to understand the reasoning behind inclusion of 1810 Glowing / Eloped and 1811 Glowworm / Has eloped from this.
1882 Telegraphic Code to insure privacy and secrecy in the transmission of telegrams
by Frank Miller (Sacramento, California)

New York: Charles M. Cornwell, 247 Pearl Street. 1882
NYPL TTD+ (Miller, F. Telegraphic code) — LC copy HE7673 .M65
118 p., 1 l. 31 cm.

Preface pp 3-4; Test-words page 5; Fractions and Amounts pp 6-10; New York Bankers pp 10-11; Words and Phrases pp 11-91; Reports page 91; Time page 92; and Extra Cipher-Words pp95-98; followed one printed page containing an index and an index-like special lists for pages 99-118 (which do not, evidently, exist in the book from which this example is scanned).

The extra cipher-words run from 12302 Selfhelp through 13999 Wardance (not1400 as the Preface states), totalling 1697.

In his preface, Miller is very clear about this code differs from cable codes: For inland telegraphing, simplicity and speed are more important than economy. With cablegrams the reverse is the case. Cable codes are mainly composed of vast numbers of phrases, and are so intricate that few country bankers will use them (p3). His code provides fewer, and shorter, phrases. A majority of the phrases are one and two words in length (the book is typeset in two columns per page). His extra cipher-words enable users to customize the code for special purposes. The code provides no tables in which code words are at the x,y intersections of columns and rows of meaning.

Detail, page 54 ex Telegraphic Code to insure privacy and secrecy in the transmission of telegrams (1882)

Shown below is detail from page 91, showing some words and phrases, and some report phrases —

Detail, page 91 ex Telegraphic Code to insure privacy and secrecy in the transmission of telegrams (1882)

Secrecy for monetary transactions is the important feature of this code. To ensure secrecy, a shift number feature is provided, whereby each message is translated by a key that is not repeated. I believe the explanation given by Miller, and shown below, is clear enough —

Detail from Preface (p4), Telegraphic Code to insure privacy and secrecy in the transmission of telegrams (1882) (rearranged for this presentation)

No explanation is given about how to translate a codeword whose sum serial number exceeds 13999 — presumably, one would circle round to the beginning of the code.

Sequences of these irregular shift numbers are to be discarded with each use. Something like — but falling short of — this method is found in Robert Slater’s Telegraph Code, to Ensure Secresy in the Transmission of Telegrams (1870), shown above. Slater suggests a variety of ways to add, subtract and otherwise permute figures so as to disguise the intended codewords; he does not however provide for a different key for each successive codeword. A clever banker might have seen a way to do this. Frank Miller would appear to be just such a clever banker, and one who published his system.

Steven M. Bellovin argues that this code provides the earliest example of a one-time pad that is commonly supposed to have been invented during World War I. I have not yet seen his paper (in Cryptologia) but the issue is discussed by John Markoff in Codebook Shows an Encryption Form Dates Back to Telegraphs in The New York Times (July 25, 2011), here. See also this discussion of one-time pads within Dirk Rijmenants’s Cipher Machines and Cryptology site.
1882 The Globe Commercial Telegraph Code
for the use of mercantile firms and their agents and correspondents. with ciphers of ten letters or under, to conform to the Rules of the London International Telegraph Congress of 1879.
Compiled by H. R. Meyer. Liverpool and London, 1882
Bodleian (196.h.50)
Faulty scan; all printed pages appear to be present, but code proper commences at page 212 of the PDF, following 200 blank pages.
1883 Scott’s Code
The Ship Owners’ Telegraphic Code 1880. By E. B. Scott. Reprint, with Supplement 1882 combined.
London: Published by the Author, at 2, Brabant Court, Philpot Lane, E.C.
Liverpool and London [1883 from internal evidence]
Bodleian
Arranged in two parts: the first being thesauric, the second (pp 271-535 being alphabetical order of codeword). This is one of several ship owner’s codes compiled by Scott, somewhat transitional in character. This is comparable to Scott’s The Steam Ship Owners’ Telegraphic Code (1874). The thesauric arrangement of phrase matter, and alphabetical order of codewords, yields non-sequitur phrase sequences in the second part of the code, as shown at p272 :
1883 Telegraph Code, 1883. Preston, Kean & Co., Bankers
100 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill.
1883
At University of Illinois at Chicago
Index to code.
Amounts, 38; Character of Firms, 28; Chicago Banks, 35; Collections, 30; Commercial paper, 27; Correspondence, 32; Foreign Exchange, 25; Government Bonds and Miscellaneous Securities, 18; Land Warrants and Scrip, 21; Lost or Missing Drafts, 34; Municipal Bonds, 20; Purchase and Sale of Securities, 22; Rates, 40; Tranfers, Remittances, Etc., 36
Telegraph code pp 18-40
1883 The Globe Telegraph Code.
Specially compiled to meet the requirements of all branches of the mercantile profession throughout the world. on the twoletter difference principle,in accordance with the Rules of the Telegraph Convention.
By E. Garsin. All the ciphers used being Spanish, and not over then letters, they are adapted for both European and extra-European messages.
London: Wm. Dawson & Sons / New York: George Cumming, 1883
original at Bodleian
root and terminal, blank
1884 Nonpareil Telegraphic Code
Liverpool: Printed and Published by Turner, Routledge and Co., 1884
at Bodleian (25789.d.13)
This code is composed entirely of Latin verbs, each page providing a set of roots and terminals to yield a unique codeword for figures from 00,000 to 99,999 in consecutive order, 100,000 to 1,000,000 in 50’s, and 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 in 250’s.
1884 Cypher Code for Telegraphy
arranged for use with telegraphic codes, vocabularies, etc., etc., etc. By Thomas S. Dunn.
London: Waterlow &: Sons Limited, Printers, London Wall, and 49, Parliament Street, 1884
At Bodleian (shelf number obscured)
3L ciphers. 113 pages, from p1 AAA to 113 ZZZ.
1885 The Telegraph Formula and Code Combiner,
Enabling the Transmitter of a Telegraphic Message to connect and combine any number of sentences from a given selection, without the necessity of using a fresh cipher word for every fresh sentence.
Frederick George McCutcheon, comp. London: Marchant Singer and Co., 1885
At Bodleian (25789.d.32)
This, together with McCutcheon’s other codes, constitute a stunning instance of amateur lexicography. These excerpts, and my intermittent comments (written some years since), must do for now.
It is an axiom that... the vast number of statements made regarding any given subject are capable of being classified and reduced to such a limit as to comprehend the fewest possible number of sentences which, for all ordinary purposes, will be sufficient to enable any persons to express those leading facts and probabilities which constitute what might be termed the harmonies and variations or the affirmations, negations, and interrogations relating to such subject. (8)
McCutcheon identifies the tasks: (1) selection of subjects (domains); (2) selection of most-likely properties and relations; and (3) organization of these in menus that are consistent with known laws of thought — that is, subject, predicate, object. He does not provide an ontology — in its sense of specification of a conceptualization — for his system; that is, he does not articulate the rules by which subjects are reduced to their more probable harmonies and variations. Yet his invocation of probabilities does allow for an idea of a rough-and-ready, but potentially elaborated, statistical means.
Subjects are to be classified carefully as to the affirmations or assertions that might be made about them. Three divisions are generally found to suffice:
1. Sentences as to what may or may not be affirmed as to the present state, condition, situation or position of any subject, person, or event.
2. Sentences as to what may or may not be affirmed as to the probable causes which may or may not have influenced or occasioned such state, condition,
3. Sentences as to the results, probable results, future probabilities or effects arising, or likely to arise, from the operation of any such influences...
When these have been carefully dissected, analysed and condensed, it will be found that the task of reducing the subject down to the very narrowest limits is not so difficult of attainment as it at first sight appears. (10)
McCutcheon’s first example regards three subjects — a stock market report; Missouri, Kansas and Texas shares; and arrivals and departures of steamships.
Each of these subjects heads a three column table, each column containing 26 orientations A-Z. One first builds three, three-letter ciphers for each of the subjects; then selects (1) the codeword indicating the combination of tables, and (2) the three codewords indicating the respective three-letter selections.
The sequence of orientations — those harmonics and variations — is discovered to accord nicely with the laws of thought which are known to govern our utterances on any subject... Classification and arrangement is undeviatingly followed in every extended communication of our ideas. As the simple sentence or assertion commences with the noun or subject, the verb or predicate, and the object, and may consist of only three words placed in a certain order, so we proceed step by step, still adhering to fixed arrangements of position, until we attain to the use of complex and compound sentences... when we find the same analogy preserved and the same classification and arrangement followed the substantive clause ... <12>
1885 Cable Code
John Crossley & Sons, Limited. Halifax, England. 1885.
dictionary English code words.
viii, 1-72pp; blank code pp 55-72

At Bodleian (25789.d.14)

John Crossley & Sons was (and remains) a major carpet weaving firm; incorporated jacquard process in the 1830’s; produced printed tapestries and velvets. Code phrases regard ordering, inventory and shipments of mats, carpets, rugs, tapestries, saddle bags, royal velvet; tapestry and velvet squares (floor coverings); table covers.
1885 Scott’s Code
The Ship Owners’ Telegraphic Code (1885 Edition.)
sixth edition
Bodleian
1885 Telegraphic Cipher,
Compiled by W. G. Press & Co. Chicago. (for the exclusive use of themselves and their correspondents.
Chicago: Press of Cameron, Amberg & Co., 1885.
At Harvard YBKL P935
dictionary English code words. i-v, 6-66
Meat, grain (trade, commission).
1885 The Pocket Telegraphic Code
Containing more than 300 one-word telegra[ms ?]
London: W. H. Beer & Co., 1885
Bodleian (25789.f.5)
(poor scan)
Index to subjects
Absence from Home; Appointments; Betting; Bookseller; Bootmaker; Buying and Ordering; Cabs and Carriages; Calls; Dinner, Not Coming Home, Bringing Friends Home, &c.; Dressmaker; Gunmaker; Health, Questions and Answers Concerning; Houses, Hotels and Apartments; Invitations, Giving and Receiving; Legal Proceedings; Letters, Sending, to be Called for, &c.; Livery Stable Keeper; Milliner; Money, Telegraphing for, Transmitting; Pastry Cook; Physician or Surgeon; Servants, Engaging &c.; Tailor; Telegrams on Business (Agents and Correspondents); Theatres and Concerts, Taking Seats for; Washerwoman; Weather.
Zopis / What is the sea like?
Zymo / Better not cross to-day.

1885 Telegraphic Code
ex The American Florist, A Semi-Monthly Journal for the Trade 1:7 (November 15, 1885)

At Cornell University

Entirety below.

Telegraphic Code. We print below the code adopted by the committee appointed at the Cincinnati meeting of the Society of American Florists, and recommended to the wholesale flower trade for general use.

Abrogate. In case you cannot fill order, telegraph at once.

Anticipate. Answer at onoe, stating whether you can or cannot fill order.

Ambition. If you can only partially fill order, do so, and reply, stating what.

Ambulance. Want all of order filled or none, and prompt answer back.

Admiral. Order must be sent on train mentioned only.

Adjacent. If cannot send on train mentioned next one will do.

Affection. Fill if possible, even at extra expense.

Affable. Send prepaid by baggage master, if no express messenger on train.

Ancestor. This order is in addition to my regular order.

Admission. This order is a substitute for my regular order.

Decorate. If cannot send all on train mentioned, send all you can, and send balance on next train.

Dancing. If cannot fill exactly as specified, you may substitute according to your best judgment.

Durable. These flowers are for funeral purposes and colored flowers must not be substituted for white.

Fabricate. Flowers ordered are to be reshipped to a distance, therefore buds must be cut specially close.

Fortunate. Select extra stock and charge accordingly.

Devotion. For cheap work, and can use second-class flowers if at reduced price.

Flattery. If price has advanced since last quotation do not send goods, but telegraph.

Forgery. This order countermands all previous orders.

Fandango. This order to be duplicated daily till further notice.

Formation. Add these items to the order which you already have, but in case first order is already shipped, cancel this addition.

Flamingo. We are In a bad pinch; send us something to help us out, even If of poor quality.

Flocking. Have sent mail order; if not yet received, send following at once, and cancel mail order when received.

Foraging. This order includes all items previously ordered and wanted for this date.

Unquestionably the above will save the trade much expense, and at the same time make plain many points continually arising, which have heretofore been left in doubt because of the large number of words necessary to fully explain. Let every dealer see that both his customers and shippers are provided with a copy. —Ed.

1886 Bloomer’s Commercial Cryptograph,
— A telegraph code and double index—holocrytic cipher.
By J(ohn). G(odfrey). Bloomer, author of the Pacific Cryptograph.
By the use of this work, business communications of whatever nature may be telegraphed with secrecy and economy.
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1886
NYPL
231 printed pages, including title.
The sole difference between this and the 1874 San Francisco edition appears to be the title page, which was slightly more decorative in the earlier version.
1887 Telegraphic Code, The American Educational Catalogue
Publishers Weekly (July 30, 1887)
A telegraphic code for ordering text-books, which is intended to replace the individual codes issued by publishers... with a uniform method for the entire trade... based on the name of publisher, name of author, and designation of individual book (sometimes by initials and sometimes necessarily arbitrary) — a natural system... also allows code-signs for new books to be interpolated in future catalogues without breaking down the system...

The code does seek to provide a unique telegraphic name for each title, that would later be attempted by OCLC and ISBN numbers. It is unworkable because too complex, and too complex because it seeks to accommodate books from various publishers, including books that do not yet exist.
The Educational Catalogue itself (with codewords for each title) runs on pages 95-127; a subject classification appears on pp 127-32; followed by instructions for use of the code (p133) and a list of educational publishers (with the respective 2L ciphers) on page 134.

Each book is designated by six letters:
the first and second being the first two letters of the author’s or series’ name... ;
the third and fourth the designation of the book by that author or in that series;
the fifth and sixth the abbreviation of the publisher.
Thus, AdefCO would mean Addick’s Elementary French, published by Charles Collins.

Exceptions (same book issued by different publishers, different items in series, etc) are handled by adjusting the ciphers, or affixing letters indicating ordinal numbers (m-1st, n-2d and so on through v-10 or 0). Quantities are indicated by adding letters to the six-letter name for a respective title (a-1, b2, x-3, d-4, e-f, f-6, g-7, h-8, i-9, j-0, k-00, l-000).

The third and fourth letters designating title (rather than author) are inconsistent: sometimes sensible (gp for Greek Prepositions), sometimes arbitrary (hz for key to Fourth German book).
1888 Telegraphic Code
to Ensure Secrecy in the Transmission of Telegrams
by Robert Slater, Secretary of the Socièté du Cable Transatlantique Français, Limited.
Third Edition. London: W. R. Gray, 1888
Internet Archive; original at University of Toronto (HE7675.S6.1888)
See longer entry for 1870 edition
1888 The Science Observer Code
Pt. 1. Explanation of the number code, [by] S. C. Chandler, and J. Ritchie.
Pt. 1a. Number code, compiled by John Ritchie. 1885.
Pt.2 Phrase code, [by] S. C. Chandler, and J. Ritchie.
Pt. 3. Tables
Boston: Boston Scientific Society, 1888
Internet Archive; original at UC Berkeley
Particularly interesting for protocols by which the seventeen-word despatch and six-word "position message" are assembled; see pages 6-11.
1888 Telegraphic Mining Code
Alphabetically arranged for the use of mining companies, mining engineers, and all persons interested in mines
compiled by C. Algernon Moreing; London: William Clowes and Sons, Limited, 1888
Internet Archive; original at UC Berkeley also at Google Books.
1 / Abaceria / Abandon
2 / Abacial / Do not abandon
1888 Code Télégraphique Français
— Pour réduire le coût des Télégrammes et en assurer le secret, par A(rmand). Coste
Paris: A l’Administration du Code Télégraphique Français, 1888
HathiTrust Digital Library, scan of NYPL copy.

xx, 636 p.map.fol.

Here is a major general code, in four parts; uses figures and codewords, and a Table Syllabétique for secure s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g of names of individuals and locations that are not found in the code. The long preface (pp v through vi) and Mode d’empoy du code (pp viii-xx) together function in part as a self-marketing device. The latter includes five example messages (coded and plaintext), plus instructions for encoding long figures, and for encrypting messages using a pre-concerted key for a given day of the month, whereby codewords indicate figures, to/from which are added/subtracted certain numbers to yield the intended codewords.

successive pages 221, 222 (not spread) Code Télégraphique Français (1888); note diagrammatic shapes (detail below)
One finds code for marks/shapes also in cotton codes (indicating marks on bales, other packaging.

detail, p222 Code Télégraphique Français (1888)
Table of contents —

Première Partie : Nombres et Quantités
Nombres abstraits (entiers et fractionnaires) 1
Numéros de 1 à 1,000 11
Sommes en francs et centimes 19
Sommes en piastres et cents (centimes et piastres) 23
Sommes en livres sterling, shellings [sic] et pence 27
Nombre de mètres, centimetres et milimètres 31
Nombres de kilomètres 41
Nombres de millimètres carrés 43
Nombres d’hectares 47
Nombres de litres 49
Nombres de mèetres cubes 51
Nombres de kilogrammes 53
Nombres de tonnes (de 1,000 kilogr.) 55
Taux pour cent 57
Dates (du 1er janvier au 31 décembre) 621
Dates (Millésimes de 1790 à 1980) 65
Longueurs des barres métaliques 67
Longueurs des plaques ou feuilles métalliques 689
Largeurs des barres & plaques métaliques 71
Epaisseurs et diamètres des barres, plaques et fils métaliques 73
Mots disponibles pour nombres, quantités et mesures 75
Deuxiéme Partie : Code Général 79
here begin selections of Mots, locutions et phrases télégraphiés 81
8001 / gabaliorum / abaissement — (note, handwritten notes here and throughout the phrase section)

pp500-501, Code Télégraphique Français (1888)
Dépêches spéciales pour la banque / la bourse et la commission 517

Troisième Partie : Tables Géographiques / Administrations et services publics / fonctionnaires 563
Tables Géographiques 565
Noms de villes 571
Administrations et services publics / fonctionnaires 581

Quatrième Partie : Personnages et Établissements Divers / Journaux et revues / Tables syllabétiques 605
Personnages politiques 607
Établissements financieres et industriels / maisons de commerce et individus 610
Journaux et revues 614
Table Syllabétique 617

Example below left shows syllabic s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g of a name; page at right shows codewords for first syllables in alphabetical order.

successive pages (not spread) pp617-618, Code Télégraphique Français (1888)
Mots disponibles / A l’usage des clefs employ´es pour chiffrer des depéches 633
Alphabet Morse 637
Table des matières 639

Followed by 11 pages of advertisements.

1889 Clave telegráfica-telefónica mercantile arreglada para el uso del comercio
Ségunda Edición Espaňola
Imprenta Católica. Calle de Dr. Mier, Num. 70. Monterrey (Nuevo León), México. 1889

original at University of Michigan

Index (table of contents, and provisional translations)

Nombres y definición de la Mercancías	1	names and definitions of goods
Empaques y clases	16	packaging and classes (or qualities)
Preguntas sobre cosechas	25	questions about crops
Respuestas sobre cosechas	27	answers about crops
Existencias y entradas al mercado (Preguntas)	39	stocks & market entries (queries)
Informe sobre existencias y entradas al mercado	41	report on stocks & market entry
Consümo y ventas (Preguntas	57	consumption & sales (queries)
Consumo y ventas (Respuestas)	66	consumption & sales (replies)
Compras (Preguntas)	87	shopping [?] (queries)
Compras (Respuestas)	97	shopping [?] (replies)
Muestras (Preguntas)	124	samples (queries)
Muestras (Respuestas)	127	samples (replies)
Consignaciones, embarques y fletes (Preguntas)	131	consignment, shipping and freight (replies)
Consignaciones, embarques y fletes (Respuestas)	134	consignment, shipping and freight (replies)
Clases y colores (Preguntas)	139	classes & colors (queries)
Clases y colores (Respuestas)	139	classes & colors (replies)
Importaciones y Exportaciones (Preguntas)	142	imports and exports (queries)
Importaciones y Exportaciones (Respuestas)	143	imports and exports (replies)
Mercado al día (Preguntas)	145	market day (queries)
Mercado al día (Respuestas)	147	market day (replies)
Adición á consumo, compras y ventas (Pgtas.)	151	addition to consumer purchases and sales (queries)
Adición á consumo, compras y ventas (Rptas.)	154	addition to consumer purchases and sales (replies)
Comisión y Corretaje (Preguntas)	157	commission & brokerage (queries)
Comisión y Corretaje (Respuestas)	158	commission & brokerage (replies)
Seguro (Preguntas)	161	certain [?] (queries)
Seguro (Respuestas)	163	certain [?] (replies)
Cambios, giros y remesas de fondos (Pregunta>)	169	exchange, transfers and remittances (queries)
Cambios, giros y remesas de fondos (Rptas.)	173	exchange, transfers and remittances (replies)
Fletes (Preguntas)	186	freight (queries)
Fletes (Respuestas)	187	freight (replies)
Ganadería (Preguntas)	193	livestock (queries)
Ganadería (Respuestas)	198	livestock (replies)
Telegramas (Preguntas)	207	telegrams (queries)
Telegramas (Respuestas)	209	telegrams (replies)
Cartas (Preguntas)	215	letters (queries)
Cartas (Respuestas)	217	letters (replies)
Para conocer si una plaza es buena (Preguntas)	223	to know if a place is good (queries)
Para conocer i una plaza es buena (Rptas.)	224	to know if a place is good (replies)
Miscelanea	228	miscellaneous
Operaciones Bancarias (Preguntas)	253	banking (queries)
Operaciones Bancarias (Respuestas)	262	banking (replies)
Opiniones	272	opinions
Capital, crédito, pagos y quiebras (Preguntas)	276	capital, credit, payments and bankruptcy (queries)
Capital, crédito, pagos y quiebras (Respuestas)	279	capital, credit, payments and bankruptcy (replies)
Filiación personal	290	personal attributes
Documentos y Libros	294	documents & books
Noticias de sensación (Preguntas)	297	sense of the news (queries)
Noticias de sensación (Respuestas)	299	sense of the news (replies)
Números	302	numbers
Tanto por ciento	315	percentages
Meses	319	months
Horas	319	hours
Fechas	320	dates
Años, meses y dias	321	translation
Monedas, pesas y medidas	322	coins, weights & measures
Divisiones de la Tierra y puntos cardinales	341	divisions of land, points of the compass
Divisiones del Agua	342	water divisions
Naciones y Ciudades principales (Europa)	342	countries and principle cities (Europe)
Naciones y Ciudades principales (Asia)	358	countries and principle cities (Asia)
Naciones y Ciudades principales (África)	360	countries and principle cities (Africa)
Naciones y Ciudades principales (América)	362	countries and principle cities (Americas)
Naciones y Ciudades principales [Oceanía	373	countries and principle cities (Oceania)
Alfabeto para marcas y lista de palabras en blanco	374	Alphabet for brands and blank word list

1889 A Brief Sketch
— Of Miner’s Coffee and Spice Mills and Coffee Hulling and Cleaning Establishment together with a history of coffee, some valuable statistics, telegraphic cipher and coffee shrinkage table..
Written and compiled by W. H. Miner; San Francisco (?), 1889 (?)
Internet Archive; original at Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley (HD 9195 B72 M52 1889 BANC)
contents
Introduction (7); Early History of Coffee (12); The Coffee Plant and its Cultivation (19); The Berry and the Bean (21); Harvesting and Preparation (25); Miner’s Mills—Coffee Roasting (29), Coffee Grinding (31), Spice Department <32), Packing Department (33); Miner’s Coffee Hulling and Cleaning Establishment (35); Medical and Dietetic Properties of Coffee (37); Statistical Tables (46); Coffee Shrinkage Table (49); Telegraphic Cipher — compiled and in use by W. H. Miner (50) — Price of Coffee (53), Price of Sugar (56), Price of Syrup and Molasses (59), Price of Rice (61), Price of Tea (63), Number of Lot (65), Amount in Bags, Hogsheads, Tierces or Barrels (68), State of the Market / Active (70), About Shipping (71), Terms and Stipulations (71), About telegraphing (72), Grades of Coffee (72), Grades of Syrup (72), About Insurance (73), Private Correspondence and Additions (74-78).
1889 Unicode The Universal Telegraphic Phrase-Book
A code of cypher words for commercial, domestic, and familiar phrases in ordinary use in inland and foreign telegrams, with a list of prominent commercial firms who are Unicode users.
Sixth Edition. London, Paris, New York & Melbourne, 1889
original at University of Michigan
Social code.
Pages 1-96 are phrases, followed by several pages of free codewords.

Table of Contents.
Preface (iii). Transformations of Telegraph Signals (vii). Regulations as to Transmission of Telegrams (viii). Apartments (6). Appointments (7). Arrivals (9). Births (11). Cheques (16). Deaths (21). Departures (24). Detentions (25). Dinner Engagements (26). Goods (35). Health and Illness (36). Hotels (41). Invitations (48). Legal (51). Letters (55). Lunch Engagements (57). Marriages (59). Military (62). Money (64). Orders (67). Patterns (68). Racing (74). Railway Travelling (80). Remittances (81). Telegrams (88). Theatre Engagements (90). Weather (95). Private Code (97). UNICODE Users (103).

Also at archive.org.
1889 Proposed Cable Chess Code
O. E. Michaelis, Ph.D., Major of Ordnance, U.S.A.
Columbia Chess Chronicle vol 5 (15 December 1889) : 111-113 ; refers to article a few pages previous (this scan) on same topic.
Each square bears a 2L (consonant) name; a move from one square to another involves a 4L move-pair.. In order to form a word (in one of the eight permissible languages), one adds vowels as required. Thus, cncr yields concur, and rnpc yields ironspike or any other word, in any of the languages, that answers the purpose.
1890 Chess Telegraphic Codes
by Edwyn Anthony, M.A. Printed and published by Waterlow and Sons Limited, London Wall, London. 1890
original at Harvard : SG 3673 14
Employs Compass Notation and a special form of same for the eight possible moves of a Knight. Figure code involves two tables (for two players remote from each other). Description of each move seems to depend on the coding for the opposite side’s move. A complete word code would require 315 pages, and so only one specimen page is printed.
1891 The Anglo-American Telegraphic Code
to cheapen telegraphy and to furnish a complete cypher, adapated to use in general correspondence; including business, social, political and all other subjects of correspondence
Published by the Anglo-American Code and Cypher Co.; Third Edition; New York, 1891 (1886)
attributed to James K. Selleck
original at University of Michigan
Made famous in the blog and tweeto-sphere by Ben Schott in his twittergraphy essay in The New York Times (2 August 2009), and not only that, but an online twitter secret code book here prompted by that column and incorporating the Anglo-American.
1891 Private Telegraphic Code
Williams, Brown &. Co., San Francisco. 1891
William C. Brown, Book and General Job Printer
Internet Archive; original at UC Berkeley
dictionary English codewords
canned fruits, canned meats, soups, salmon, etc., (packed at various locations, including Alaska); dried fruits (sun-dried), evaporated fruits, raisins, honey, beans, dried peas, nuts, seeds, rice (Sandwich Island, China), salt salmon; descriptive phrases for all above commodities; pig tin, onions, morning glory, clothes pins, codfish, hams, hops, coffee, oysters, corn and succotash; freights, insurance, shipping, etc., samples, quoting, offering, buying, selling (instructions, inquiries, ability to, inability to, declining sale, advice of sale, market, names of firms, routes; On the Road and at Home (112-114); money; flour, wheat, corn, barley; miscellaneous (137-142); lumber; weather reports (145-46)
1891 New General and Mining Telegraph Code
alphabetically arranged, for the use of mining companies, mining engineers, stockbrokers, financial agents, and trust and finance companies.
By C. Algernon Moreing and Thomas Neal; London: William Clowes and Sons, Limited, 1891
Internet Archive; original at UC Berkeley
1 / Aaaronic / Abandon
2 / Aaronsrod / Do not abandon >
Zygosos / Ask the Pulsometer Engineering Company, 63, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., to give you quotation for pumps suitable for work.
1893 The United States Telegraphic Cipher
Adapted to the use of dealers in fruit and produce, and merchandise brokers
compiled by Joseph H. Wilson; revised edition. New York: Charles H. Parsons, 1893
original at University of Michigan
Abaft / New Layer Raisins
Abandon / Boxes New Layer Raisins >
Scuttle / 15/16 >

1893 Police Telegraph Code of England for 1893
pp544-548 in George W. Hale, Police and Prison Cyclopaedia (Newly revised and enlarged edition, 1893)
Harvard copy

Hale is identified on title page as Police Department, Lawrence, Mass., Member of the 30th National Conference of Charities and Correction.

An important feature of the code — one that is shared by all police codes, as well as meteorological and astronomical codes, and certain commodities codes (cotton, hemp, &c.) is the requirement that messages be formed in strict order of faceted information.

The phrases are to be inserted in the telegrams in the following order, and to prevent confusion this should be strictly adhered to : —

Offense, or reason of Message.
Person wanted.
Age, height, and build (5 figures).
Complexion, hair, eyes, whiskers and moustache, and shape of face (5 figures).
Peculiarities and distinctive marks (5 figures).
Description of clothing (5 figures).
Where likely to be found.
Instructions.
Registered No. of Office or Chief Officer sending wire as per Police Almanack, page 102.

(See Specimen Telegram.)

Phrase. Code Word.

Wanted at this office on a charge of Murder Capital.

Manslaughter Abhor.

Burglary Burgle.

Shopbreaking Balmy.

Housebreaking Banana.

Horse-stealing Bridle.

Larceny Beagle.

Fraud Combat.

Stealing from the person Cupola.

Embezzlement Curdle.

Receiving stolen goods Cymbal.

Forgery Digit.

Perjury Diploma.

Highway robbery Dirge.

Criminal assault Disarm.

Shooting and wounding Disgorge.

Unlawfully wounding Dismay.

Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm
Embroil.

&c.

In the transmission of inland telegrams, figures are counted at the rate of five figures to a word, and the first group of figures must be set apart for the age, height, and build of the person wanted; thus : Age 36, height 5ft. 9in., slender build, should be grouped 36593 ; and when the height reaches 5ft. 10 or 11 inches, the figures must be inverted thus : 05 15. The height given will be the approximate height.

There follows more code: for build, description of head and face, distinctive marks and peculiarities, and description of clothing. Then is given a speciment telegram, followed by a numbered List of Chief Constables of Counties in England, Wales, and Scotland, with their Stations, 1893.

From p547 —

The Specimen Telegram —

Wanted, at this office, on a charge of burglary, a man of the following description, viz.: Age 36, 5ft. 9in. high, stout build, fresh complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes, black whiskers and moustache, full round face. Has cut on upper lip and abscess mark right side of neck. Dressed, when last seen, in black billycock hat, dark coat, black vest, light mixture trousers, and lace up boots. Please cause inquiries to be made at common lodging houses and other likely places, and if found apprehend and wire.
The registered number of chief office to be put at the foot of telegram.

Burgle.	Goblet.	36591.	54119.	32,70.
Henbane.	11142.	Lyceum.	Mantelet.	Nutmeg.

1894 The Adams Cable Codex
Seventh Edition. Boston, 1894
original at Cabot Science Library, Harvard (Eng 4348.94)
Preface explains the use of a cable code, to individuals who may for the first time need one. E.g., —
In regard to illness, Mr. Towzer’s wife is ill at home and he must be notified of the fact. Turning to the Index, we find a number of pages under this heading, and from page 17 we can make the following message: — MRS. TOWZER, ALBURNOUS, which would read, Mrs. Towzer is ill. Sickness is not serious, but keep within reach of telegram so that we can communicate with you if wanted.
1894 Inter-state Cipher
arranged by H(armon). K. Pratt
Minneapolis, 1894
DULTC collection (scanned by Duke University from a private collection)
domain : fruit shippers and jobbers
code pp 3-182; index pp 183-84
English and English-y codewords; phrases only
index to jobbers and shippers pp 129-182
1894 Private Cipher Code
Castle Brothers, San Francisco, 1894
original at UC Berkeley
code pages 5-154, in these categories (from Index) —
Buying (109-1230; Calendar (90-93); Complaints and Allowances (67-72); Eastern Firms (124-142); Financial, Terms of Sale, etc (59-66); Grades and Qualities (79-89); Miscellaneous (143-154); Offerings, etc (19-24); Prices, etc (51-52); Responsibility (55-58); Samples, etc (5-11); San Francisco Firms (107-108); Selling (25-31); Shipping and Ordering (43-50); Shipping Routes (73-78); Stock and Market Prospects (12-18); Table of U.S. Gold Cents (94-97); Table of U.S. Gold Dollars (98-106); Writing and Telegraphing (32-42).

code words: aback, abaft, abasement, abatable > gruff, grumpy, gruntle

1894 H. & W. Pataky’s Telegraphic Code
—for use in obtaining and Negociating Patents.

Berlin. H. & W. Pataky, 25, Luisenstrasse, 1894
original at NYPL

[11pp] + 1-128pp (odd numbers on verso side)

codewords may be Official Vocabulary, not limited to one European language.
Table of contents provides subjects and their subdivisions, which are presented in what might be called (but is not) tables. The headings below are taken not from the TOC but from actual pages. For each section, phrases head columns (at top), and respective countries (and subcategories for different durations, etc.) head rows (at left).

Subject pages

Instructions relating to the Filing of Applications, etc. 1-8

Instructions relating to the Amendment of Applications, etc. 9-16

Instructions relating to Appeals in the case of Applications being Rejected 17-24

Instructions relating to the Payment of Annuities and the Working of Patents 25-32

Instructions relating to Withdrawal of Applications and Extension of Time 33-40

Instructions relating to the forwarding of Papers, etc. 41-48*

State of the Case 89-96**

Assignments of Patents; Copies of Patents and Applications (Papers); Requests for Certificates of Filing and Annuity Receipts 97-104

Inquiries relating to Applications for, Granting of, and Validity of Patents, Costs of Applications, Annuities and Working 105-112

Dates 113-115

Time 116

Special dates for Filing 117

Dates at which Annuity due / Working due 118

Action where case rejected 119

Dates of Granting / Issue 120

Forwarding of papers, Remittances, etc. 121-122

Correspondence 123

Telegrams sent and received 124

Sales of Patents 125-126

Assignments 127

Costs 128

* page 47 is given as page 55.
** pp 89-96 is correct, pp 49-88 do not appear.

ex Google scan of NYPL copy

1895 McNeill’s Code.
Arranged to meet the requirements of mining, metallurgical and civil engineers; directors of mining, smelting and other companies; bankers; stock and share brokers; solicitors, accountants, financiers and general merchants. Safety and Secrecy.
Bedford McNeill. New York: The American Code Company, 1895
original at University of California
HE7677 .M6M2
Must be later than the 1895 given on title page: an advertisement for Pieron’s Code Condenser (another American Code Co. title) mentions the ABC Code (fifth edition), which appeared in 1901)
NYPL copy (1895 printing? from stereos, London) here.
1895 Barnard’s Universal Criminal Cipher Code
for Telegraphic Communication between Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, Marshals and Other Peace Officers of the United States and Canada.
Compiled by Floyd Shock.
Published and sold by Geo. D. Barnard & Co., St. Louis, Mo.
3 1/4 inches wide, 6 3/4 inches high; [6], 7-60.
This scan from microfilm/fiche, contributed by the University of Alberta Library, is available through archive.org. It contains the same penciled librarian’s annotations as the LC copy, that I examined years ago (LC classification number HE7677 .D4S5).

pp 6-7, Barnard’s Universal Criminal Cipher Code (1895), ex photocopy of LC copy

The user of a police code builds or unpacks a coded message by proceeding through a sequence of topics, in a prescribed order, as shown above. This is the case for most of the police codes I have examined, including (in addition to Barnard’s), The Police Telegraph Code of England (1893) ; Harry C. Webster, The Webster Detective Cipher Code (1896); P. G. Tompkins, Tompkins’ Sheriff’s Telegraph Code (1905); The Police Review Cipher Code (Fifth edition, 1905); Thomas W. Guthrie, Guthrie’s Police Code (1906); and H. M. Van Alstine, The Peace Officers’ Telegraph Code (1911). One exception is the New South Wales Police State & Interstate Telegraphic Code (1915), which contains no explicit instructions about sequence of topic. The topics (or facets) differ among the codes — by order and by topic — but not by much.
Here, the topics are listed in order along the tabs at right. It will be seen that each topic is accompanied by a one-, two- or three-letter prefix, that would be shared by all of the codewords for the phrases under those respective headings. The topics (and their code prefixes) are listed below.
Arrest Ar
Name (spelled by cipher)
Offence O
Height Hi
Age Ag
Weight We
Hair Ha
Eyes, Eyebrows E
Beard, Mustache, Etc. B
Complexion Com

pp 22-23, Barnard’s Universal Criminal Cipher Code (1895), ex photocopy of LC copy

Features F
Peculiarities P
Maimed M
Scares, Sores, Moles S
Clothing, Foot, Hats C
Watch, Jewelry, Etc. Wa
Nationality Na
Trade T
Location Lo
Time Ta
Dates D
Number N
Amount Am

pp 46-47, Barnard’s Universal Criminal Cipher Code (1895), ex photocopy of LC copy

Horses and Mules F
Questions Q
General Information I
Rewards Re
Barnard’s and the other police codes share features with fingerprint and other signaletics codes, including the fingerprint code in Wilde and Wentworth their Personal identification; methods for the identification of individuals, living or dead (1918) and R. A. Reiss his Un Code Télégraphique Du Portrait Parlé (1907). The most important commonality is step-by-step, facet-by-facet, procedure to build up a message — a feature that is shared also by meteorological and astronomical codes, as well as by many commodities codes. Another shared feature is the ekphrastic aspect of developing a verbal portrait. I intend to discuss these at catatan, shortly (16 August 2010).
1896 Adams Cable Codex (Ninth Edition)
Boston.
original at Harvard’s Cabot (Science) Library, Eng 4348.96
1896 Cipher Code for Astronomical Messages
Edward S. Holden. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 8:49 (April 1, 1896): 109-133 (followed by appendix Figure-Code Employed on the Continent of Europe).
original at NYPL
1896 The Atlas Universal Travelers’ and Tourists’ Telegraphic Cipher Code
Compiled by T. Walter Hartfield for the proprietor, C. Amory Stevens, 30 Broad Street, New York, U.S.A.
original at NYPL
xviii + 726pp ; codewords selected from those published by the Berne Convention; phrase lists, excepting only calendar and similar tables.

from private collection.
An example of a (Gertrude) Steinian phrase sequence... (Beckett listening in, too)
1896 Standard Telegraphic Code
B. Franklin Lieber. Also known as Lieber’s Standard Telegraphic Code. New York: Lieber Publishing Co., 1896
original at University of Toronto
Pronounceable code words of five to ten letters taken from the Berne Official Vocabulary. 75,878 entries (including blank phrases).
One of the major general codes, also published in German, French (and other?) editions; same code words would be retained in a in a 5-letter edition published in 1915.
1896 The Premier Cypher Telegraphic Code
William H. Hawke, comp. London: Effingham Wilson, 1896
original at Harvard

An elaborate code, involving phrase vocabulary and multi-orientation tables that roughly approximate later figure code/condenser arrangements. The tables economize on codebook length, and theoretically aid quick location of needed phrases or other expressions contained within them. They merit close study.
From the 3-page preface, one page of which is given over to example phrases, this :
This ’saving in expense’ is of course the primary object of a Code, but the next consideration is to arrange a Code so that what is required to be transmitted can be sent with the least possible trouble and waste of time. ¶ This has been most carefully studied, and entirely novel and simple methods of tabulation introduced (as well as abundant references and cross-references) to make the Code rapid of use in every aspect.
From notes to my own copy :
pp 1-185 abaissais / A(an) [and instruction See page 309 being a sundry combinations table : cross referencing throughout ] > ayudado / Zinc-lined
186-195 blank ayudantes > badehemd
196-197 a blank combination table [ 1-60, a-k ]
198-200 Reserved Tables. For combinations of 10 x 6 x 5. blank table, first orientation a > k, second and third orientations indicated by figures 1>30, in table. Added bonus : some of these tables have been filled in by user, including here; where three orientations in one codeword can be seen in action.

201-500 consist of tables incorporating the whole of the ordinary English language as required in business and social communications, besides useful tables embodying the most important subjects which require to be telegraphed about. The code’s Index to Tables provides the following summary of tabulations :
reserved 196-199; verb tables 202-273; auxiliaries 274-283; adjectives, etc. 284-305; interrogatives 306-307; [sundry] combination phrases 308-347; names combined with phrases 348-351; dates, time, etc. 352-399; prices, amounts, etc. (sterling) 400-413; prices combined with quantities, etc. 414-453; finance 454-461; decimal currency 462-470; quantities 471-479; terms and ports 480-481; shipping 482-485; market 486-493; telegrams, letters, etc. 494-499.
A sundry combination phrase might involve : g / there is some + 29 / misunderstanding about = expletioni.
a names in combination with sundry phrases might involve : k / [blank for name] + 16 / ’s consent has been obtained = ficedulis
389 Firm offers with quantities and dates might involve : n / We make firm offer 250 (bales, cases, tons, or other quantities) + 14 / Feb., Mch., Apr. OR Aug., Sep., Oct. = grediner
427 CAN BUY combined with QUANTITIES and PRICES might involve : i / Can buy 50 (bales, cases, tons, etc.) + 24 / [here, any one of six partical price ranges, each range offering as many as six possibilities] = investida (this page is among several missing from scan — though I’ve not checked the PDF; see instead pp 442-443, for you may sell combinations.
1896 The Dynamic Chess Notation
containing a Code for Telegraphing Moves.
from F. Startin Pilleau. The Dynamic Chess Notation : whereby any possible move in a game of chess can be accurately described by the use of two letters only. Illustrated by the complete set of games of The Petersburg Tournament, 1895-96. Published with the imprimatur of the British Chess Club. London, 1896.
appeared as a supplement to the Chess Monthly, whose lovely cover is to be seen here
The code enables any possible move to be described by two letters; it does not indicate position on board, thus, every piece must have a name (or label).
original at Harvard : SG3673 231.2
1897 Mercuur-code / Mercury Code
Second revised and enlarged edition, First supplement
Amsterdam: J. H. de Bussy, 1897
[4], 1-240, followed by six pages of advertisements.
original at NYPL
official vocabulary;
Table of contents (index) : Firms and companies; Estates (in Netherlands East Indies, West India); Trade marks (East-Indian trade marks, West-Indian trade marks); Names of steamers; Names of sailing vessels; Stocks (officially quote, not officially quoted); Additional Code words.
1897 The Robinson Telegraphic Cipher Revised Edition
originally published by S L Robinson, Author and Proprietor, Board of Trade, Chicago. This copy bears the pasted stamp of American Code Company, Publishers of Telegraph Codes, 83 Fulton Street, New York City.
Cornell copy, but probably later than 1897 : this copy incorporates a Supplement, possibly prior to 1917, and certainly prior to 1925 (when the copyright was renewed, and a second supplement added). (I say this with some confidence: I have a copy of the 1897 edition, containing only the 103 pages.)
The whole is 103pp (plus 29 page supplement), 3. x 5.25 inches.
Grain, market, trade. Also provisions (hogs, pork, lard, green meats, bulk or dry salt meats, boxed or English meats, &c.), hay and straw, in salt, in pickle, etc. Pages with new content (that is, additions to an 1872 edition), are asterisked in the Index.
Uses what Barto calls particle prices — When the price is manifestly above 1.10 the dollar will be understood and not expressed, as Churl, for 1.35 1/4. (Churl means 35 1/4).
The Supplement has a separate pagination pp 4-29 (following its own title page, introduction and index), and covers breadstuffs (barley, buckwheat, corn, flour, oats, etc), as well as railroads, transportation lines, indemnities, miscellaneous.
Designed for convenience and economy in domestic trade.
1898 Telegraphic Code, The Niles Tool Works Co.
from General Machinery Catalogue, the Niles Tool Works Co., Hamilton Ohio, 1898
original at NYPL
The code words used to designate the various machines on the preceding pages do not conflict with Lieber’s Standard Telegraphic Code, and can, therefore, be used in connection with it without any confusion. Below will be found a selection of phrases with their corresponding code words which will, it is believed, be very convenient in ordering from this catalogue. Both words and phrases were selected from the Lieber Code which is regularly used by us and to which we would refer those desiring greater variety, or who are unable to express their meaning with the phrases given.
code pages 529-571
Bataholas / At the price of
Pinturn / Patent Portable Crank-Pin Turning Machine (page 181)
1898 Standard Telegraphic Code Lieber’s Standard Telegraphic Code.
B. Franklin Lieber. New York: Lieber Publishing Co., 1898
original at Cabot Science Library, Harvard : Eng 4348.78.2
1898 McNeill’s Code.
Arranged to meet the requirements of mining, metallurgical and civil engineers; directors of mining, smelting and other companies; bankers; stock and share brokers; solicitors, accountants, financiers and general merchants. Safety and Secrecy.
Bedford McNeill. London: Printed and published by Whitehead, Morris & Col, Limited, 1899; New York: The Scientific Publishing Company. New York: Lieber Publishing Co., 1898
original at Cabot Science Library, Harvard : Eng 4348.99
1899 ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code (fourth edition)
American edition, American Code Publishing Co., 83 Nassau St. New York.
Harvard (KE 3116)
1899 McNeill’s Code. Terminal Index for Use with McNeill’s Code.
London: Whitehead, Morris & Co., 1899
original at University of California : HE7677 .M6M23
Works much like a rhyming dictionary. See for example Walker’s Rhyming Dictionary, which went through many editions but whose late nineteenth-century editions offer instructions for its use in deciphering telegraphic errors, e.g., here, in the 1904 edition.
1899 Private Telegraphic Code of Lunham & Moore,
Freight and Insurance Brokers and Forwarding Agents, New York and London.
Copyrighted, 1899, by Lunham & Moore, New York. Compiled by John Hinrichs, Baltimore. [obverse : Baltimore. Press of Fleet, McGinley & Co. / 1899]
original at University of Minnesota, HE7677.P9 L9
51, [1] p.18 cm.

Tables pp 4-30, followed by General Phrases pages 31-50, and Addenda (phrases) pp 51-60. Appears to be sheets slipped/pasted in, pp50-52, including a list of other codes (Hinrichs, also ABC).

Mainly grain, but other commodities too (cotton, lard, tallow, turpentine). Page 3 provides explanatory Notice and an Index (=table of contents).
1900 The Heath telegraphic cipher for the use of flouring mills and flour merchants
— and their traveling salesmen for the economical and secret transmission of business telegrams.
Sold only by G. M. Heath, Author and Proprietor, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1900
Private collection, scanned by Duke University for the DULTC collection.
domain : flouring mills and merchants
This copy no. 149 (rubber stamped on property of page), property of Listman Mill Company, La Crosse Wisconsin and is loaned to E. Provost & Fils, Lewiston, Me.
[8], 1-128, [4]; index last two unnumbered pages in front.
all English & English-y codewords, Abaft – Umpire
phrases only, no tables.
some pasted in additions (printed)
1900 The Twentieth Century Telegraphic Cipher Code
L. J. Guynes
L. J. Guynes, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1900
original at NYPL [LC cat number HE7677.C82.G9]
domain : cotton seed products
[4], 1-527
codewords selected from Berne Official Vocabulary; unnumbered entries; numerous tables including offer tables pp 224-307
In the use of the Offer Tables in this Code (from page 224 to 307 inclusive), it will be understood when cabled from Europe to America to be a nm offer to BUY, and when cabled from America to Europe will be a firm offer to SELL.
1901 The ABC Telegraphic Code, Fifth Edition.
The ABC Universal Commercial Electric Telegraphic Code, specially adapted for the use of financiers, merchants, shipowners, underwriters, engineers, brokers, agents, &c.; suitable for everyone. Multum in Parvo. Simplicity and Economy Palpable, Secrecy Absolute.
London, 1901
original at Cabot Science Library, Harvard University
Eng 4349.01.8
1901 Western Union Telegraphic Code (Universal Edition)
New York, 1901

original at University of Michigan (HE 7673 .W54 1901)

index (3-8); code (9-803); Regulations for Cable Messages (804)
numbered Berne-legal (?) codewords, phrases, tables
1901 Telegraph Code.
pp 209-211, Official Automobile Blue Book, Eastern Edition (1901).
original at Harvard (Cabot Science Library, Eng 801.24)

details page 209-11 (cropped), ex Telegraph Code, Official Automobile Blue Book (1901), from Google scan

The code is to be used by members of this automobile club while touring, particularly with reference to the service stations associated with it. An introductory explanation of the Use of Stations includes this passage about the telegraphic code —
While our stations carru supplies, etc., sufficient to meet the demands of ordinary touring, and for their regular customers, it should not be expected that they will be able to care for a number of automobiles without notice. We therefore suggest that in the case of club runs or even parties of five or six, they be notified in advance by letter or telegram so as to assure sufficient supplies and attendance. Our telegraph code is intended to cover such notification, and a little forethought in its use will absolutely assure sufficient attention and possibly save much valuable time. (p8)
Not to be confused with Robert Edwin Pye, his The automobile telegraphic code, (San Francisco: Code Publishing Company, San Francisco, 1917), 834pp
1902 Codigo brazileiro universal
Codigo Telegraphico, especialmente organisido o uso de bancos, commericantes, companhias de navegação e de seguro, corretores, etc.
H. L. Wright
Rio de Janeiro, Companhia typographica do Brazil, 1902.
xiii, 638 p.4to.
HathiTrust Digital Library scan of NYPL copy
General code, emphasizing trade, shipping, banking (see table of ship classifications, below right). Index at pp xi-xii. Phrases in Portuguese pp 1-416 (blanks starting at 399), followed by tables (pp 417-542 and Tabellas em branco (blank, pp 543-638).

pages 1 and 433, Codigo brazileiro universal (1902)

Codewords look like Berne vocabulary, and the book itself has something of the flavor of the ABC Telegraphic Code (Fifth Edition). All (phrases and table cells) numbered. (N.B.: None of the scans shown here accurately indicate relationship of textblock to page size, or even to facing textblock where shown in spreads.)

last two pages of phrases (before blanks), ex Codigo brazileiro universal (1902)

blank tables pp 542-43, Codigo brazileiro universal (1902)
1902 The Westinghouse Code
Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co., 1902
original at Harvard University : KE 4561
Index v-xii; Instructions for Using the Westinghouse Code xiii-xiv; Code Condenser xv-xvi; Cable Addresses xvii-xviii; General Phrases 1-432; Index of Machinery and Apparatus 433 — specs presented in tables 435-495

00001 Kabache Abandon

00002 Kabakos Abandon for the present

00003 Kabasdah Abandon the whole thing

00004 Kabasjes Abandoned on account of

Codewords begin with the letters K through W exclusively. Hence, as is (confusedly) explained in the introduction, the code may be used in conjunction with Lieber’s (code and appendix), whose code words begin with the letters A through E.
Users are invited to send phrases in frequent use, not found in this code to the Westinghouse Companies’ [sic] Publishing Department, for inclusion in printed slips of additional phrases to be attached to page margins.
1903 Appleby’s Copyright Code for Correspondence by Telegram
pp i-iv of
Appleby’s Illustrated Handbook of Machinery. Section V. Steam and Electric Plant &c., &c.. London and New York, 1903
original at University of Wisconsin, Madison
Codes used : A B C, Mooreing’s [sic], The A1, and Appleby’s Code.
Each of the volumes has its respective code name :
Section I Admugitum
Section II Adnatobat
Section III Adociria
Section IV Adoliridas
Section V Adumbrato
Section VI, Part A Adonteremo
Section VI, Part B Adopterus
1903 The Billionaire Phrase Code
containing Flexible Phrases; Numerals, Decimals and Dimensions; Qualities and Measurements; Fractions and Dimensions; Dollars; Cents; Foreign Currencies; Shillings and Pence; Percent; Days and Hours; Calendar and Dates; Blank Tables
Published by The Business Code Co. New York, and E. & F. N. Spon Ltd., 57 Haymarket, S.W., London
original at Harvard : KE 5922
No phrases other than contained in flexible tables; similar structure and arrangement, even typographical detailing, to the Master Telegraph Code (1909), the Miners’ & Smelters’ Telegraph Code (same year), Brentano’s (1909), etc. Flexible tables generate ciphers of 10 letters, ciphers beginning from letters U through Y. Ciphers must be taken from each of the used columns consecutively: the first two (or three, if one assembles ciphers in that way) columns provide pronouns, adverbs, modals, etc.; the Fourth Column pp9-39 contains the topics. All contained in 56 pages total.
1903 Telegraphic Code for bonds
pp 102-109 of Government Bonds, The First National City Bank of New York, 1903
original at Harvard : Econ 5588.1
All codewords start with L, e.g.,
Labadist / 1/16
Lazaroni / Bid and offered prices for coupon 5’s of 1904 to-day are ——
Lemming / Your telegram came too late for execution to-day.
1903 The revised economy telegraphic and cable cipher code
adapted to the use of buyers, sellers, brokers, shippers and receivers of green and dried fruit and produce.
Edmund Peycke (c), Los Angeles and Kansas City, 1903; printed by Lechtman Printing, Kansas City, 1903. This copy stamped Amercian [sic] Code Company
original at NYPL
v-xii, 1-344; apparently pasted on to obverse of additional pages 0a and 0b (between xii and p 1), is this typewritten notice :
The first of three Peycke codes, this one concludes (at page 344) with a special notice, that infringements of our Marginal Index arrangement (for which a patent application has been filed) will be prosecuted.
While the index seems to be the salient virtue, code offers thorough phraseology, much of it in tabular form. And a remarkable passage (in the Preface) regarding the nature and eccentricity of its codewords :
The Book before you has a Vocabulary of Code words numbering over 40,000. There is not that number of words in Webster’s Unabridged that can be used for this purpose, for a Code-word must have no meaning in the particular line of business in which the Code is used, nor should words be used the spelling of which differs in but one letter. Furthermore, all compound words, as well as words consisting of more than ten letters are barred by recent ruling of the Telegraph Companies. In order to follow thee rules, as we have done, not only made-up words (pronounceable groups of letters) have to be used, but also a great many that have the appearance of being badly misspelt dictionary words. Use the words just as they are, use them with the above suggestions in mind and you will find the Revised Economy Code more satisfactory than any other Code that has heretofore been on the market. ¶ We have kept away from foreign languages, from which so many words have of late years been used in Cipher Codes, most of them being harder to copy and spell, and a great deal worse to telegraph than the worst of our made-up words.
1904 Clough’s mining code (Revised Edition, 1904)
compiled expressly for the use of brokers in correspondence by telegraph
New edition, revised and enlarged, 1896, C.F. Clough, 1896; Revised edition, 1904, Shaw & Borden Co., Spokane, Washington
University of California, HE7677.M6 C56 1904 ; Hathi Trust / Google scan

Code pp 5-62; followed by Part III Useful Notes for Miners and Others pp65-124 (useful glossaries, punctuated by pages of advertisements and notices). Dictionary and artificial codewords, Abasal / Abbey Mining Co. (N. Mex.) through Quizzism / The twentieth to last. Phrase and glossary matter geared to needs of investors and promoters, rather than mining engineers, managers, owners. For example, the word strike appears seven times in the code, but never in reference to labor action. Example: Harborer / The — — has made a big strike, prices of shares will advance.

p57-58, cropped &c. for this showing, Clough’s mining code (1904)

Phrases in section Mining Miscellany (pp 54-60) weirdly package technical terms in baroque expressions, e.g., Pedicel / At about what is the degree of the slope?.
1904 The tourist’s pocket-book
containing useful words and simple phrases in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Greek, Hindustani, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Latin and Hungarian. and Hungarian. Medical and surgical hints; cypher code for telegrams and post cards; blank forms of washing lists; together with much practical information calculated to facilitate the sayings and doings of British and American travellers.
George F. Chambers. Seventh Edition. London: Hugh Rees Limited : 124 Pall Mall, S.W.
1904
original at University of California
ex libris C. K. Ogden.
The cypher telegraph code is not well suited to telegrams, subject as they were to mutilations : aa ab ac ad ae > zx zy zz, followed by aaa aab aac > bci bck bcl (f is not used), and one letter each for numerals, some fractions, and to pluralize a word. The words are arranged alphabetically : a about above accept account act acted action add > yesterday yet you young your, followed by the numerals.
The following example will illustrate the use of this cypher Code:—
WP ABT AEE AIG AFY ACG ABA ZM CD XQ BE TB AVT AQG XA AVX XL AVT DF BBL BCI AVW FT L N AWK ALICE ZL DX FQ WZ IG ZL ARS CT AEE XT ABC VVAZI VT AMM Q AILS SZ B ADTS.
Have lost my portmanteau, omnibus man left it at hotel, am forced to sleep here to-night, hope to be with you to-morrow by 10.15 train. Alice is better, but her cold is still bad. My house let, got very good rent, 50l. for 2 months.

Note the C. K. Ogden provenance. Devisor of BASIC (for British American Scientific International Commercial English, Ogden might well have drawn instruction from this and other polyglot phrase books. Above all, he might have derived some ideas from the reduction of vocabulary to a bare minimum within respective topical groupings. Here are the categories for this polyglot phrase dictionary :
cardinal numbers. ordinal numbers. fractions. various numbers. the seasons. the months. the days of the week, etc. articles of food and drink. short sentences. railway. steamboat. at an hotel. post office; telegraph office. travelling by road. illness. in a shop. useful words of various kinds. washing lists.
Ogden’s panoptical reduction of expressions down to the 850 words in Basic English parallels — if it does not owe something to — the analytical and synthetic work that underlies the telegraphic codes in their selection and topical arrangements of phrase matter and which, in some instances, received extended explanation — in one case something like a theory of language — in prefatory sections.
The Ogden papers are held in Special Collections, Young Research Library, UCLA. The finding aid is available at content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt7p3021p9/. Acquisition of the Ogden collection is described in Lawrence Clark Powell his Books in My Baggage: Adventures in Reading and Collecting (Cleveland and New York, 1960): 130-136. The collection totalled 403 packing cases, some 80,000 volumes, including hundreds of manuscripts. The material was dispersed (divided, sometimes by lot) amongst the various UC libraries. No codes are contained in the Ogden archive, I was told some years ago.
An essay relating the Ogden’s BASIC Panoptic Conjugation and eliminator with the arrangements of some telegraphic code dictionaries is under way.
1904 Special Cable Code for the Use of Delegates (Curling Tour)
pp 51-52, The Rev. John Kerr, Curling in Canada and the United States: A record of the tour of the Scottish team, 1902-3, and of the game in the dominion and the republic (Edinburgh and Toronto, 1904)

original at NYPL

Special Cable Code for the Use of Delegates (1904)
1905 Omnibus: télégraphique français de poche à l’usage
Paris: Boyveau et Chevillet, 1905
xiv, 1 l., 174p, 16 mo
at NYPL, this HathiTrust Digital Library scan
phrases, some tables

two pages (not spread), ex Omnibus: télégraphique français de poche à l’usage (1905)
1905 Lieber’s Bankers and Stockbrokers’ Code and Merchants’ and Shippers’ Blank Tables
This Code can be used in connection with Lieber’s Standard Code without any possible conflict.
B. Franklin Lieber and Charles J. Dawson
New York (2 and 4 Stone Street) and London (97 Queen Victoria Street), Lieber Code Company, 1905.
6 p. l., 10-487 p.20 cm.
This HathiTrust Digital Library scan of NYPL copy (HE7677.B2 L7), also available via Google Books here.
Tables, many for stocks, and set up in root and terminal pairs (facing pages). This copy missing many pages: perhaps it is a prospectus of some sort, or published in truncated form in U.S. to establish copyright priority.

Lieber’s Bankers and Stockbrokers’ Code and Merchants’ and Shippers’ Blank Tables (1905)

from the Preface — In addition to its simplicity and economy, attention is called to its great elasticity. Owing to it tabular arangement throughout and to the large number of Blank Tables, it wil be found a matter of great ease for users to vary, or add to the Tables as here printed in order to meet their own special needs—a point hitherto overlooked or insufficienty provided by amost all Code compilers. Thus, should the Tables for Australian Mines (pages 180 to 217) not be required with any particular correspondent, it is a simple matter to substitute other headings.

pp 92-93 ex Lieber’s Bankers and Stockbrokers’ Code and Merchants’ and Shippers’ Blank Tables (1905)

Scanned NYPL copy lacks pages, and shows pages out of sequence. The pages shown below are as printed on facing pages, or at least as shown in scan.

pages 90, 83 (taken from spread, in scanned copy) Lieber’s Bankers and Stockbrokers’ Code and Merchants’ and Shippers’ Blank Tables (1905)
1906 Telegraphic Cipher Code, Gerrish System
Harvard College Observatory
Cambridge (Massachusetts), 1906
original at Harvard University : Astr 659 06
Like many specialist codes, this one involves a step-by-step assembly of a message. One follows a set of rules — as if filling in a series of data entry fields — and derives the code from that. Here, messages are assembled from figures, and then converted to syllables yielding the pronounceable (or euphonic, as the expression went) codewords preferred by telegraph administrations.
Several examples are provided; one of these (taken from pages 11 and 13) is shown below:
1 ba 2 de 3 fi 4 go 5 ku 6 am 7 en 8 ip 9 ot 0 ux not utilized (blank) vy
This code, with its strict procedural aspect, is similar to meteorological codes that are discussed elsewhere under the heading observational codes.

1906 Standard Cipher Code of the American Railway Association
For the Use of All Departments of the Railway Service

The American Railway Association, 1906. Press of John A. Phillips, New York.
original at Michigan HE7677 .R2 A5

[5] vi-xvi, 1-751
index pp v-xvi
unnumbered p752 : Press of John A. Phillips, 86 Fulton St. New York
Mainly phrases, some tables

All entries are numbered, with sequences starting at 1 on each page.

From the two-page Introductory — The initial letter of each code word corresponds with the initial letter of the general subject of the message as given in the classified headings.

Some examples, under heading Classification at page 116 —

9 Clypeolet Commodity rate(s) governed by — classification

10 Clysmian Emigrant movables as per — classification

11 Coachbell Estimated weight as per — classification

12 Coachbox Exception sheet to the — classification

13 Coachdog Governed by — classification

14 Coached How do you classify?

15 Coachful How shall I classify?

16 Coachlet I understand proper classification to be

Numbering of code/phrase pairs facilitates secrecy, by previous arrangement of correspondents using the code.

pp 749-50 (but not spread) ex Standard Cipher Code of the American Railway Association (1906)

1907 Mining Supplement to Bentley’s Complete Phrase Code.
Published by E. L. Bentley, at 7, East India Avenue, London, E.C.

Stanford copy 612.B477

32 (printed) pages, points to Bentley’s Complete Phrase Code for phrases relating to mining but having more general application too, e.g., accident or adjoins. Five-letter, wuvne / Adit has cut through zufop / Rich zone being worked at present, followed by 10 pages of blank code zufpo through zyzwo. All codewords begin with w, y or z

Prepared with expert assistance to facilitate the transmission of mining telegrams and technical terms not adequately covered in the body of this book. — this book referring to the Complete Phrase Code itself. Two pages of specimen cables suggest the use of the Phrase Code and Mining Supplement together.

p4 (cropped) ex Mining Supplement to Bentley’s Complete Phrase Code (1907)

1907 Standard Lumber Reference Book and Code
A Complete Compendium of the Rules of Classification and Inspection of Lumber, as adopted and in use by the principal Lumber Associations and Railroad Companies in the United States, together with a comprehensive Telegraphic Cypher Code and other information of interest and value to the Lumber Trade

First Edition; Sold Exclusively by Southern States Publishing Co.; 65-71 Ivy Street, Atlanta Ga.
Copyright, 1907, by The Franklin-Turner Co., and Benj. F. Ulmer

original NYPL : HD9754.S7
also via HathiTrust Digital Library, here.

Rules, classifications, specifications pp 9-204, followed by 1 page (unnumbered, but Google p209) a Private Cypher Code of Lunkenheimer Co., Cincinnati, Ohio (valves, gauges, whistles, injectors, ejectors, lubricators, grease cups, oil cups) followed by the code proper, Ulmer’s Yellow Pine Code separate pagination pp 1-44 (Google p211), beginning with General Instructions.

The code is artificial English, some stem and terminal, some tables :
Ulmer’s car number; Board measure contents; Dollars and cents; Specific lengths in feet and inches; Specific dimensions, thickness by feet, in even inches (all tabular); Thicknesses and widths in inches and fractional inches; Time of delivery in weeks and months; Time table by hours, days and months; Questions; Instructions, miscellaneous phrases, etc.; and Railroad companies (pp43-44).

Nice code/phrase pairings —

Frolic Cut all you can

Lantern If we can

Latin If we cannot

Linger In addition to

Liquid In box cars

Lizard In flat cars

Minister Let us have

Miser Let us know

Mission Let us know when

Mister Let us know where

Monkey Load last

Monstrous Load next

Motto Make a price

Mumble May be cut in multiples

1907 Un Code Télégraphique Du Portrait Parlé
R. A. Reiss (1875-1929); Documents de Criminologie et de Médecine Legale, Paris: A. Maloine, 1907
original at Harvard
Inspired by the classification system of Paul Otlet, Reiss developed a decimal classification system for Bertillon’s portrait parlé procedure and controlled vocabulary.
Reiss observed that Otlet’s scheme was inferior to the anthropometrical classification of Bertillon, but saw that decimalization could provide the basis for economic telegraphic transmission of signaletic information. His solution was to retain the Bertillon terminology — e.g., very small, small, medium, large, very large — and to assign to every signaletic term and qualification its own decimal classification number. ex R A Reiss, Un Code Télégraphique Du Portrait Parlé (1907); content on page 7 rearranged here for presentation in two columns.
It featured a nine-heading decimal classification system. The initial 0 indicates the start of each sign (or decimal cipher). The first two figures of any message do not employ the initial 0, as these indicate respectively age and height (in centimeters). Figures following the initial classification number indicated various sub-categories; e.g., 1,134 for forehead of medium height. The nine categories were
0,1 Front — forehead
0,2 Nez — nose
0,3 Oreille — ear*
0,4 Les Lévres, la bouche, le menton — lips, mouth, chin
0,5 Contour général du profile, naso-buccal — general profile, naso-oral outline
0,6 Profil du crâne proprement dit, général de la face — profile of skull, facial contour
0,7 Les sourcils, paupières, globes oculaires, orbites — eyebrows, eyelids, eyeballs, orbits
0,8 Le cou, les rides, la carrure, la ceinture, l’attitude, l’allure générale, la voix — neck, wrinkles, build, waist, attitude, general appearance, voice
0,9 Yeux, cheveau, barbe, pigmentation de la peau — eyes, hair, beard, skin pigmentation

* Because cartiliginous, ears and noses were important in Bertillon’s system.

The message rigorously follows the order of entries on the fiche that were attached to, or the reverse of, side- and front-view photographs of the subject on Bertillon’s signaletic fiche, shown below. It thus takes the form of an ordered list of attributes, or facets (much like astronomical and meteorological codes). ex R A Reiss, Manuel du portrait parlé à l'usage de la police: méthode Alphonse Bertillon, Lausanne and Paris, 1905. scan here, with a guide to abbreviations and special signs (as seen above), here.
The entries shown above refer to the portrait of Reiss shown here — ex R A Reiss, Manuel du portrait parlé à l'usage de la police: méthode Alphonse Bertillon, Lausanne and Paris, 1905
The treatise concludes with an example of a telegraphic message, in which the savings of words is noted —
1. Service sûreté Paris.
  30 175 01512 0224 0234 0255 02732 03116 03233 03243 03325 03415 03522 04121 04144 04147 0 5221 06214 06218 07151 07161 0911112 0912211 092413
  Sûreté Lausanne
  total : 29 mots (5 chiffres comptant pour 1 mot).
2. Service sûreté Paris.
  Age apparent 30 Taille 175 sinus dos nex rectiligne base horizontale saillie grande limite particularité cloison non apparete oreille bordure originelle grande lobe traversé limite et dimension petite limite antitragus saillant limite pli inférieur vexe limite forme rectiligne limite particularité sillons séparés orthognate supérieur face longue biconcave sourcils clairsemés blonds clairs lèvre inférieure proéminente épaisseur grand inférieure pendante cou long auréole jaune moyen périphérie intermédiaire verdâtre moyen cheveux blonds foncés.
  Sûreté Lausanne
  total: 75 mots
More on Reiss — including his later career in Serbia — here (in a recent addition to wikipedia).
1907 Postal Code (Telegraph-Cable)
Adapted to the requirements of merchants, bankers, brokers, professional men, miners and operators in mines, stock operators, railroad and transportation companies, real estate dealers, shippers and shipping men, travelers, tourists, farmers, horticulturalists, viticulturalists, etc., etc.
by Frank Shay and Richard V Day; San Francisco: Freygang Publishing Co., 1907
original at Columbia University
Official vocabulary, or (for landline only) five figures. Totals 862 pages; 93,480 numbered entries (including blanks), phrases (and names, numbers, prices, etc.) but no analytical tables. An expansion from Shay’s 1888 (and 1899 reprint) Cipher Book published by Rand McNally.
Title page bears two seals, for the Commercial Pacific Cable Company and The Commercial Cable Company, respectively, containing maps showing their Pacific and Atlantic cable routes.
Good phraseology.
1908 The Modern Economy Telegraphic and Cable Cipher Code
Adapted to the Use of Buyers, Sellers, Brokers, Shippers and Receivers of Green and Dried Fruit and Produce
Edmund Peycke, Los Angeles, 1908
original at NYPL
This is a (February) 1914 reprint, on evidence of an Addenda covering all Refrigerator Cars added to Equipment of Railroads and Car Lines since the issue of the Modern Economy Code in 1908. The addenda continues earlier pagination, and runs pp 247-254. Obverse of title page omits name of printer (The Segnogram Press) that had appeared in 1908 edition. Cannot tell from scan what color original is; 1908 version was printed on blue paper.
Five-letter code, generally one-letter difference : probably good on the phrase side, but vulnerable to mutilations.
Some fuller notes, and an extract, can be found here.
1908 Wellcome’s Excerpta Therapeutica
(Canadian Edition), Burroughs Wellcome & Co., London (1908)
original at Stanford
Section Serums and Serum-Therapy (pp 137-44) includes a telegraphic code (pp 137-144), accompanied by this instruction —

When therapeutic serums are ordered by telegram, it is often undesirable to use the words Diphtheria, etc. A telegraphic and cable code for ordering serums has therefore been adopted. It consists of ROOTS and TERMINATIONS. The ROOTS appear in the margin opposite the serum they indicate. The TERMINATIONS are given below and indicate quantities and sizes. Examples:—
Send six phials of Diphtheria Antitoxic Serum (’Wellcome’) each containing 5000 units in 5 cc. =
HIMEBASEDO
Send five phials of Anti-venom Serum (’Wellcome’) each containing 25 c.c. =
FIVE HITETENOBA.

Terminations

One Three Six 1 doz.

Regular size ARYCE ASATA ASEDO ADSEZA

10 c.c. ENEWE ENEYU ENEZA ENGRA

25 c.c. ENOBA ENOGU ENRIO ENTAO

50 c.c. ENYHA ENYMO EPAVA EPESO

Arrangements are made at the London Offices for the immediate dispatch of telegraphic orders for serums received between the hours of 9 a.m. on week-days, and 3 to 3.30 p.m. on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
A tipped-in Addendum provides 5L codewords for Diphtheria Antitoxic Serum (available in 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 units — JORAS, JORIM, JORUH and JOSER), and Anti-Streptococcus Serum (in 10 c.c. syringe containers — JOSIV).
1909 Bentley’s complete phrase code
(nearly 1000 Million Combinations)
1909 reprint of first (1906) edition
original Toronto
Title page stamped C. Bensinger Co., Inc. Code-Book Supply Dept. / 15 Whitehall St. New York City
Does not include 2-letter difference claim. One Million Cyphers appear at end of volume (compare with Bensinger edition described below. The following (odd, and even misleading) explanation faces first page of code : Bentley’s Million Cyphers for the transmission of Numbered Sentences from Public or Private Codes in one word are to be found at the end of this Volume with full directions, showing that they can be indiscriminately mixed with Cyphers from this Phrase Code.
See fuller discussion in description of the 1921 Bensinger reprint.
1909 Brentano’s Telegraph and Cable Code
New York, Brentano’s; copyright by The Business Code Company. 1909.
original Harvard
5-letter code. Flexible Phrase Tables pp 1-10 (ten tables in all, e.g., Table No. 9 affirmative and questions) ; General Phrases 11-285; Tables 287-313 (some of these 3+2 or 4+1 flexible tables, say, for calendar; Supplement 314-320 (blanks, followed by Stocks 321-328)
1910 Jiao tong bi xi 交通必携
Chinese character code, pp126-37 (back to front), in this Communications Handbook
corporate author : Shang wu yin shu guan
original Michigan, HE 7678 .S37 C5
I should confess that for the fourth character of the title, I’ve used a Japanese version (for now).

ex Jiao tong bi xi (1910), first page of telegraphic code.

Shown above is the first page of the character code. First character is 0001, followed down the first column by 0002, 0003, 0004, etc.; moving from left to right, second column: 0011, 0012, 0013 and so on. The code ends at page 37, with character number 9651.

Radicals appear in the outer margins. Shown below are the second and third pages of the code.

ex Jiao tong bi xi (1910), pages 125-24 (rearranged for this presentation), being the second and third pages of the character code.

This particular copy bears the owner’s signature at p161 : Yamada Junzaburo, Shanghai; there is also a handwritten kana code at p159, shown below.

handwritten kana (Japanese) code at p159, Jiao tong bi xi (1910). All of these images from the Google Book scan of Michigan’s copy, via Hathitrust.

See Jim Reeds’s discussion of Chinese Telegraph Codes here.
1911 Private Telegraphic Code
For Land Line Telegrams between Points in the United States, Canada and Mexico used by the United States Steel Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies (1911)
original NYPL
Sections I Structural Shapes, Plates, etc. 1-18; II Bars, Small Shapes, Hoops, etc, 19-64; III Axles, Miscellaneous Forgings and Wheels, 65-72; IV Semi-Finished Steel, etc, 73-77; V Steel Rails and Accessories, 79-111; VI Frogs, Switches and Special Track Work, 113-130; VII Rail Bonds, 131 to 145; VIII Bridges and Structural Steel Work of Buildings, 147-202; IX Sheet and Tin Mill Products, 203-243; X Tubular Products, 245-311; XI Pipe Fittings, Valves, Cocks, etc, 313-422; XII Wire Products, 423-568; XIII Horse and Mule Shoes and Calks, 569-576; XIV Coal, Coke and Pig Iron, 577-584; XV Shipment, Freight and Transportation, 585-680; XVI General [phrase] Section , 681-948; Index, to Products, Materials and Erection Plant, 949-981

5L throughout, following the two-letter difference rule, and, it is claimed in Preface, no code word can be converted into any other in this code or its supplements, if two consecutive letters are reversed. Each of the first 15 sections is mostly tables, supplemented by phrases pertinent to those sections’s respective topic.
1911 Everybody’s Pocket Code
Simplicity, Economy, Secrecy in Cabling and Telegraphing. Everybody’s Pocket Code By W. M. Saunders, for Merchants, Bankers, Brokers, and all Business Houses and especially adapted for the use of Railway and Steamship Passengers, Travellers, Tourists and to the needs of all Private Individuals who may require to Telegraph or Cable; Providing no less than 400 Million Phrases, for One Complete Cipher Word each.
First Edition.
London: Compiled and Published by Wm. Clowes & Sons, Ltd.
[3], iv–xxiv; 1-551
4 1/4w by 5 3/8 high

This a Duke University scan of a copy from a private collection.
The code consists of phrases and some tables, utilizing 5L half words.

pp 80-81, Everybody’s Pocket Code (1911), private collection
Everybody’s Pocket Code begins with four sections devoted to use and/or communities of practice : (1) Travelling (1-49); (2) Hotel (51-91); (3) Shipping and Forwarding (93-126); and (4) Banking and Financial (129-200). These are followed by General 205-508; Tables 511-546 (Dates, Measurements, Numerals and Fractions, Percentages, Price (Sterling), Price (Decimal Currency), Time of Day, Weights (Ozs., Lbs., Cwts., Tons); and an Index to Advertisers (547-548). Advertising is located in front and back pages, and within the first four sections, a appropriate. Firm names are included in tables of, for example, cable addresses of steamship companies and banks.

pp 290-291, Everybody’s Pocket Code (1911), private collection
The preface devotes several paragraphs to the use of so-called Half Code Words of five letters each, these enabling two artificial 5L words to be combined to fall within the 10L limitation on artificial code words. The General Section of the code provides numerous auxiliaries, that in combination with a further half-word for a principal verb, will provide every variety of Person, Number, Mood, and Tense.

W. M. Saunders —
Saunders would later compile The motor trade telegram code, allowing all matters of technical, commercial and general information to be expressed practically verbatim in code language with the maximum of economy and simplicity . That code was published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd. (London, 1921); LC shows another copy — New York, D. Van Nostrand company, c1921). It is a 5-L (halfword) code, whose 558 pages consist of three parts: (1) phrases (punctuated by some in-line tables); (2) tables (dates, decimals, horse-power, references to letters and telegrams, numerals and fractions, quantities, sterling, time, weights); and (3) indicators to catalogues with numbered entries; and references to invoices. LC HE7677.A8S3.

pp 220-221 (cropped), showing phrases and inline tables, W. H. Saunders, compiler, The Motor Trade Telegram Code (1921), from photocopy of LC copy
Saunders was W(illiam) M(oore) Saunders, 1873-19?.
1911 General information cable code / Llave telegrafica para informes generales
pages 9-12 in The shipping clerks’, correspondents’ and travellers’ handbook of Spanish invoicing, insurance, book-keeping, legal and technical terms, with Spanish powers of attorney, cable inquiry code
by Frank Thomas. Second Impression. London & Glasgow, 1911

64 pages.
Internet Archive, U.C. Berkeley copy

detail, p11, The shipping clerks’, correspondents’ and travellers’ handbook of Spanish invoicing (1911)
Open Library indicates a second edition, revised, in 1921 (still 64 pages).
1912 The Scientific Dial Primer
Containing universal code elements of universal language, new base for mathematics, etc.
Andrew Hallner, comp. San Francisco: Sunset Publishing House, 1912
Internet Archive; original at UC Berkeley
Motto: Brevity, Simplicity, Legibility
157 + (3 table of contents, and index)

seems to divide matter up according to degree in the dial. From page 10:
The Scientific Dial contains:
200 one-syllable two-letter words.
2,525 one-syllable three-letter words.
8,000 two-syllable four-letter words; consisting of two vowels and two consonants.
12,000 in the second class of four-letter words.
adding another letter, as, Elana (1911) swells the list of words almost beyond calculation.
Note: this is not a practical telegraphic code. It reads something like an epistolary novel, in which the existence of a scientific code encourages communication of even delicate matters, that social pressures might not otherwise allow. For example, a woman (spinster or widow) can more easily propose marriage to a man with this code, than without.
Hallner also authored Uncle Sam, the teacher and the administrator of the world. Sacramento, Cal.: The News. Pub. Co., 1918.
1912 The Emigre (P.C.) Cable Code
For use in connexion with Privy Council Appeals, &c.
Printed for private circulation only. Folkestone, 1912
Internet Archive; original at University of Toronto
code pages 5-89
Latinate codewords (abactas, abalienans, abavos, abdebant, abderem, abdetis > crevimus, crevisti, crevit.
phrases only (no tables), notable typographic treatment of phrase keywords (bold, sans serif).
ex preface —
The ordinary telegraphic Codes are designed mainly for commercial purposes, and we have repeatedly, in communicating with clients in regard to Privy Council appeals and other legal matters, elt the want of a code containing legal phrases. For the convenience of our correspondents and ourselves... An amateur work is likely to be very imperfect, and we shall be grateful to any correspondents who may assist us with suggestions for insertion in a second edition.
1913 Bauers code; der neue deutsche telegramm-schlüssel
Leipzig, C. E. Poeschel, 1913
Google scan of University of Minnesota copy, HE7678.B3

Vorwort p iii; instructions for use, v-vi; index (Inhaltsverzeichnis) pp vi-xxi, and code pp 1-1040. All viewable via Hathi Trust, and PDFs of individual pages (but not entirety) available for download to guests.

detail, page 1, Bauers code; der neue deutsche telegramm-schlüssel (1913); from my photocopy of LC copy.
All 8L codewords with figures: 00001 abababal / Abändern through 177913 osefizit / blank. Some tables. This is a personal favorite code, for its dadaistic codewords, and also for phrase ranges that are unusual in such a code, e.g., 89285 hekuzula / Philosophisch, etc.
1913 China Inland Mission Private Telegraph Code.
Shanghai: Printed at the Methodist Publishing House, 1913
original at Cornell (Wason Collection) : HE7679.C53
(scan was Universal Digital Library, now Internet Archive.)
Figure code (every page a table, e.g., No. 105, with 50 entries 00-49, involving use of a condensing table (inside front cover). Phrase and other matter is primarily administrative.

composite of condenser (p. iv) and p 363, China Inland Mission Private Telegraph Code (1913).
Using the above, to send only one codeword from Table No. 289 at right — 28987 / What is the truth?, one would write KE (28) NU (98) and R (7) — KENUR.

Preceded by a Private Telegraph Code published in Shanghai in 1907, this volume was consulted in preparation of The Missions Code in 1930, by the Foreign Missions Conference of North America. The 1930 code incorporates the five-letter principle rather than a condenser, and offers an enlarged vocabulary
1913 The Adams Cable Codex, Tenth Edition.
Boston: The Financial Publishing Company, 1913
original at University of Michigan : HE7673.A22 1913
1913 Telegraph and Cable Code., pages 49-53 in
Catalogue No. 35, The W. S. Tyler Company, Maufacturers of Ton-Cap Screens made from iron, steel, brass, copper and phosphor bronze for all uses: also makers of Tyler double crimped cloth and mining screens. General Offices and Works St. Clair Ave N.E., from 34th to 38th Strs., Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., 1913
original at University of Michigan : TS 273.T98
There is a code word shown for each number of Ton-Cap screen in the following tables, also code words for specifying the number of pieces, dimensions of each piece, also whether brass, steel, copper, bronze or phosphor bronze is required. If no metal is mentioned, steel will be furnished. ¶ Each code word contains five letters...
Ton-Cap is short for tonnage capacity : increased throughput tafforded by the company’s superior screen design (oblong, rather than round hole screen producing the same sizing (p 16). The catalogue itself is nicely designed and illustrated.
1913 The Imperial Combination Code Rubber Edition.
for mining, company promoting, financial and stock exchange purposes.
Compiled by Edward Barron Broomhall, author of Broomhall’s Comprehensive Cipher Code, The Standard Shipping Code, The Arbitrage Code and of eighty-nine distinct private telegraphic codes constructed for the principal British and foreign banks, companies and firms.
London: E. B. Broomhall, 30, Walbrook, London, E.G.4, England
(4), 1-241, (1), 1-28
These pages include a (loose?) certification of the code by E. W. Farnall of the General Post Office, London, stating that the code on the whole is in conformity with regulations (regarding pronounceability?); the second run of pages (1-28) lists ciphers by terminational order, for use in determining what code word may have been meant, in the event of mutilation.
This volume is part of the DULTC Collection, scanned by Duke University from a copy in a private collection.

Note on (unnumbered page vi) reads (in red) : Pages 131 to 178, both inclusive, in this Edition differ from the same pages in the Imperial Combination Code. The preface to the Rubber Edition explains that a number of mining phrases were eliminated to make way for phrases particularly applicable to rubber. The Rubber Section runs from page 160 through 172; it includes, in addition to rubber, some phrases about various articles of produce cultivated with Rubber, like cinchona, cocoa, cocoanuts, coffee, pepper, sago, tapioca, tea, etc.

p169, The Imperial Combination Code, Rubber Edition (1913)

Mainly phrases (excepting tabular presentation for Dates, Deliveries, Shipments, &c. pp 240-241.). Provides plenty of auxiliary phrases.
(general) preface, The Imperial Combination Code, Rubber Edition (1913)

By Combination is meant the provision of auxiliary verbs that, in combination with main verbs, allows the verbatim transmission of speeches and the like; ordinarily, it is only an idea that is required to be transmitted, not a number of unnecessary words (to borrow expressions from the general preface).

p123, showing full portmanteau (multi-faceted) expressions under the head Negotiations, The Imperial Combination Code, Rubber Edition (1913)

The page shown above shows both auxiliary-like phrases involving need, and phrases under the topic Negotiations involving their conventional elaborations.
A genealogical website on the Broomhall family yields this, in addition to information about marriages and children : EDWARD BARRON BROOMHALL... was born 8 January 1848, in Madras, India; d, 2 October 1929, at Bromley in Kent, England.
1914 The Private Code and Post-Card Cypher
A Telegraph and Post-Card Code-Book for Family Use
Compiled by Constance and Burges Johnson. New York and London: G.P. Puntman’s Sons, The Knickerbocker Press, 1914
NYPL
Quite amusing, first encountered at BL.
dedicated to THEODORE N. VAIL / whose kindly hospitality is requited by the publication of this method of beating his company
The book is prefaced by an Apology —
No literary critic has ever paid sufficient attention to the effect of the ten-word telegram upon American style. Yet undoubtedly the old problem of how to say what must be said within a ten-word limit has had a powerful effect upon prevailing terseness of expression. The fact that eleven words would cost but a cent or two more has made little difference. Ten words it must be. And if the message has used but four words, then six more must be found, at whatever cost of mental effort. A generation ago the Peterkins faced that very problem, and when their four words had been written, added — The house is not on fire.
This code will aid the perplexed or homesick absent one to put many essential messages into the ten-word announcement of his safe arrival; and it will enable the abandoned one, after she has put her necessary inquiry into eight words, to find two more that will fill out the allowance most delightfully.
In addition to the use of this code in telegrams, its compilers suggest that the picture post-card, containing as it does an irritatingly small space for messages as well as an exposed one, is much in need of a private cypher.
It is proper to add that the telegraph companies do not encourgae the use of a code in connection with night letters and day letters; but the fifty-word allowance in those forms of telegram makes a code unnecessary.
The compilers admit that there are other codes in existence more complete than this in many particulars. For that very reason there is no attempt here to enter the field of business messages. In other ways, however, they maintain that this code has no parallel.
C. and B.J.
Port Washington, N.Y.
Topics
Bulletins en route
Intimate Messages —

Things Needed or Forgotten
Arrival at Destination
Accommodations
Letters and Telegrams
Baggage
Home News
Sickness and Health
Money Matters
Commissions and Messages to Others
The Return
Concerning Food
Appointments
Model Letters between Husbands and Wives
The Telegram Game
1918 Peycke’s New Ekonomik Telegraphic Cipher Code for the Fruit and Produce Trade, Containing Equivalent to 1,310,000 Cipher Words.
Edmund Peycke, author and publisher, Los Angeles. 1918
original at NYPL
Advertisement at end of code includes, among a few short facts, this —
It required three men six months to get the material for this code ready for the print.

5L, some 3 + 2 prefix and endings combinations. Indexed, and tabbed.
Unclassifiable phrases and connecting sentences pp 185-204; Traveling men pp 204-205; 3+2 Table A for apples and pears pp 231-239; Table B for cranberries/berries 241-243; Table C for deciduous fruits 244-248; grapes 249, &c., &c.; a very few phrases for Avocados at p276, preceded by this:

AVOCADO (ALLIGATOR PEAR)
The best known varieties are the following: Blakeman. Dickenson, Furte, Lyon, Sharpless, Spinks, and Taft, which will probably survive, but for commercial purposes the Furte and Spinks and Lyon varieties are expected to lead; the Lyon being an early bearer, followed by the Spinks, and the Furte being later in the season. ¶ Probably a good many other varieties will be developed, as the industry is in the hands of men of more than ordinary intelligence, whose object is to develop Avocados so that they may be had at any time of the year. ¶ Four very promising varieties are named, brought from Guatemala. These are the Knight, Queen, Linda, and Ray, which are expected to come into bearing very soon. ¶ The style of package to be used has not been decided upon, but flat cases with excelsior packing seem to be the logical solution. ¶ The great food value of the Avocado will in time be recognized by the consumer, and a large trade in the commodity must ultimately follow. The dealer paying attention to this line in its early stages must eventually reap the benefit from his efforts.

(Evidently, avocados were only now being developed as a California crop.)

The Author of this Code is also the Author of the Economy Code of 1897, Revised Economy Code of 1903, and the Modern Economy Code of 1908. ¶ Ten years ago when the last named Code was compiled it was possible to telegraph ten letter pronounceable words making a certain construction imperative and greatly limiting the number of available words in order to meet the requirements for pronounceability. ¶ A few years later the Telegraph Companies rescinded this privilege substituting a rule limiting the use of made words to groups of letters not over five letters in length wholly disregarding pronounceability. This opened a wide field to the Code compiler, so many more five letter words being available with the former restrictions removed, making the compiling of this book possible, whereas, it could not have been done under previous limitations. ¶ We claim this book to be the largest Code in existence, and the most efficient Code ever issued in any line of business. Several of our tables, notably the Apple Table and the Size Table contain approximately 400,000 cipher words each. The total number of cipher words contained in this Code is in excess of 1,310,000, and all of these words have one or more vowels with the exception of the Car Numbers in the Bulletin Table which have purposely been confined to consonants to distinguish them from the regular code words. ¶ As far as possible we have limited the beginning letter of the Cipher Words to one subject, and the construction of our words will at once allay any fear of confusion with other Codes that might be used in the Trade. ¶ Careful attention has been paid to avoid any undesirable combinations from the telegrapher’s point of view.
1918 The Colorado Code
General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces
47pp, 20cm
Digitizing sponsor : Duke University Libraries
Book contributor : Private Collection
also on title page : Secret / Must not fall into hands of enemy. / No. 2 / Memorize this group: DAM---Code Lost.
Reverse of title states : This book has been issued / To — / for official use under his direction only. / By command of General Pershing: / James W. McAndrew, Chief of Staff. / Official: Robert C. Davis, Adjutant General.
Front matter and folios are typeset, code vocabularies are completely typewritten.
Instructions on unnumbered pp1-2; example dated 1918, suggesting publication of code also
Page 3 provides codes for figures 1-100, three each for figures 0-24, two each for figures 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90; and four for 100. This is followed on page 4 by several special figures, e.g., 155 (presumable artillery caliber), and the phrase and word vocabulary itself (some entries given several 3L ciphers). The coding vocabulary continues (with nulls and some blanks) through page 22; followed by Decoding, with 3L ciphers in alphabetical order.

pages 12, 25, both showing entry for CFM / Lachrymatory, ex The Colorado Code (1918), from Duke University scan of copy in private collection.
1918 Finger Prints : The Code
Personal identification; methods for the identificationof individuals, living or dead
by Harris Hawthorne Wilder and Bert Wentworth. Boston: Richard G. Badger, The Gorham Press, 1918
Lane Medical Library, Stanford University
Chapter 6, Finger Prints: The Code (pp 234-259)
Short English language codewords; covers not only finger prints, but also Bertillonesque features.
Chapter headed by this epigram —
We had a Rabbinical Divine in England, who was Chaplain to the Earl of Essex in Queen Elizabeth’s Time, that had an admirable Head for Secrets of this Nature. Upon his taking the Doctor of Divinity’s Degree, he preached before the University of Cambridge, upon the First Verse of the First Chapter of the First Book of Chronicles, in which, says he, you have the three following Words,
Adam, Sheth, Enosh.
He divided this short Text into many Parts, and by discovering several Mysteries in each Word, made a most Learned and Elaborate Discourse.
— Joseph Addison; in the London Spectator, No. 221. Nov. 13, 1711.
1920 The Nautical Telegraph Code and Postal Guide
For Officers of the M.M. and for All persons travelling abroad.
Fourth edition, 1920
The front cover illustrated at this website omits name of author; a volume with same title (and phrase matter) was authored by Captain D. H. Bernard and published by James Brown & Son, Glasgow,
A full transcription by Eveline Houweling (to whom thanks for this labor of love). See her sitemap for some additional telegraph material.
1920 A B C Universal Commercial Telegraphic Code
—Specially Adapted for the Use of Shipowners, Bankers, Merchants, Brokers, Underwriters, Solicitors, Engineers, Forwarding Agents, and Tourists, Etc., and as a General Code Suitable for Everyone: Multum in Parvo...
~~London: Eden Fisher & Co., Ltd.; New York: The Macmillan Company~~, American Code Company (stamp). 1920
original Princeton University HE 7673 C57
Was once available via Google Books, then (as of 6 March 2010) not; now (11 December 2010) available via HathiTrust Digital Library.
Five-letter (artificial codeword) edition, two-letter difference. Pages 1-1386 for entries 00000 ABAAB through 88849 IUZXL. Inline tables, rather than segregated as in previous editions of the ABC.
Terminal index separate pagination i-cxlii.
Two-letter Morse similarities listed cxlii-cxlvi.
from page vii,
The five-letter codewords used in the A B C Code, 6th Edition, are composed of groups of letters having the appearance of real words and are built on the principle of at least a two-letter difference in each five-letter codeword.
As a further safeguard against possible error, a great effort has been made to construct the codewords so as to counteract possible transmutations of the two-letter Morse groups, by the automatic check of a third letter and where this has not been possible, to eliminate such words from the Code. Consequently less than one per cent can have been left in the entire work. (See end of Code for the Morse Alphabet and the two-letter Morse Similarities.) In addition, every effort has been made to eliminate from the codewords five-letter words having a commercial meaning in the following languages : English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian; as well as the five-letter names of the principal Ports and Places of the World.
1921 Radiographic weather code for vessel weather observers
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau
HathiTrust Digital Library scan of NYPL copy (QC872 .U62 1921)
31 p. incl. tables.30 cm.
code for latitude and longitude 10-13 (one word for both)
code for pressure and temperature 14-23 (one word for both)
code for direction and force of wind and state of weather 24-25 (one word for all)
code for rise or fall of barometer in two hours previous to observation 26
code for amount, kind, and direction of clouds 26-27 (one word for all)
time words 28
followed by (non code) tables (corrections, equivalents, etc.)
An illustration message is shown below. The same message appears in the 1925 edition of this code (private collection); the codewords Royer, Beatrice and Guide do not appear in this book.

detail page 8, Radiographic weather code for vessel weather observers (1921)
1921 Bensinger’s Special Edition of Complete Phrase Code
— (nearly 1000 Million Combinations) (with a Difference of at Least 2 Letters in Each Code-word)
1921 Reprint of First Edition
original NYPL
Nowhere save for a librarian’s penciled mark does E. L. Bentley’s name appear in this version of his code. This is not a stereoplate reprint of first edition; pagination is different; 5-letter codewords are presented all caps (which is nice).
It also includes at pp242-252 One Million Cyphers (eight letters each with a 2-letter difference), for transmitting any figures within the following range: 0/9, 00/99, 000/999, 0000/9999, 00000/99999, 000000/999999.
This feature, which drops out in (some?) later printings of Bentley — presumably with the nigh universal adoption of 5L codes — enables users to generate messages from both vocabulary and figure codes. The numbers standing against the sentences in such Codes are converted into these Cyphers instead of using the Code words in those Codes, thus preventing any possibility of confusion arising from mixing such sentences with Bentley’s Complete Phrase Code. A 1st series provides cyphers abev through zuof, for figures 0-999; these half ciphers are to be combined to form 8L ciphers; a 2nd series runs zuker through zyzwo (0-210), with higher numbers to be taken from 122-25); But ciphers from the two series are not to be combined. The second series cyphers are specifically intended to signify figures from separate figure codes, and work with together the 5L ciphers from the rest of the Phrase Code.
Private supplement WUVNE-ZIZWO runs pp 253-301, followed by Telegraph Cyphers in Terminational Order, for checking errors occurring in transmission of messages, starting at page 307 (after some preliminary matter) and running for 40 pages (separate pagination).
1921 The Missions Code
Compiled and published by authority of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America, for use by foreign mission boards and their correspondents
New York: Foreign Missions Conference of North America, 1921
copyright 1915
xviii, 724, [2] p.24 cm.
HathiTrust Digital Library, Columbia University copy
Contents appear to be same as (my) 1930 printing. The specimen pages shown below are typical; note cross-referencing (in boldface).
pp268-69, The Missions Code (1921)
1930 General Cipher Code, Railway Express Agency
New York, November 1930
Book No. 2324 (number rubber stamped)
[4], 1-126
5L CAABO-ZAUJF flexible phrase tables pp1-7; general phrases start at p9 more flexible tables (for dates, etc) at 113ff.
some handwritten additions, including added phrase at head of p9: AIRYX / Ship by Air Express Division of R.E.A., Inc.
1930 International radio weather code for use on United States selected ships
W.B. no. 1005, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau
archive.org, (Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries), book from Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

This is an early (earliest?) instance of five-figure code groups in meteorological codes. It replaces word codes, and would enventually become the norm. Pages 2 and 3 explain the arrangements and coding of Universal Data (covered by the first four 5F groups), and Supplemental Data (groups 5 through 7). As suggested in the example below (from page 4), one turns to tables, in successive order, for numeric codes; exceptions include latitude and longitude, which yield their own figures (with aid of some means for rendering minutes into 0-9). The codegroups, e.g., PQLLL and 111GG, are mnemonic but also signify positions to be filled by a figure 0-9.

detail, page 4, International radio weather code for use on United States selected ships (1930)

ca 1957 A.N.A.R.E. Code
of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions, here archived by the NSW Branch of the ANARE Club. This was used for private messages over radio-telegraphic link to Australia, perhaps commencing around 1957. The code was also known as WYSSA, for a reason that will become apparent from these few examples —

WUVNE	Penguins have begun to arrive on the Island
WYSSA	All my (our) love darling
YIHMO	I have grown a beard but think I’ll shave it off before I get back to Australia
YIKLA	This is the life
YIVUC	Days are short in the antarctic at present, the sun appering above the horizon for no more than three hours
YITIX	Time seems to be only thing we're short of
YITOZ	Very busy preparing gear for spring work including training dogs
YITUB	I am not sure whether men training dogs or dogs training men
YOHNA	My message is contained in following quotation
YOHOR	See Oxford dictionary of quotations
YOHPE	See Oxford dictionary quotations indexed as beginning
YOHRO	See Shakespeare play: initials, act, scene, line follow
YOHTY	See Bible quotation: abbreviated name of book with chapter and verse follow
YOHUS	Have recently been reading these books
YOIKS	Thinking of you especially when reading following book and chapter (code word followed by name of book and number of chapter)
YOILT	Our Position is Latitude...deg...mins Longitude...deg...mins. (code word followed by one four figure group for degrees and minutes of latitude; then one five figure group — commencing with 0 if necessary — for longitude).

An account of the use of the ANARE Code is included in a fascinating interview with Doug Twigg, an ANARE Radio Supervisor who spent several winters and summers in Antactica between 1956 and 1992. The whole (recorded on 23 February 1996) can be found here, in a section entitled Communications 1911-1985, within the website of the Australian Antarctic Division. I include the relevant passage from that interview below (without permission, for now) to be sure it is not lost! The interviewer was Annie Rushton.

Morse code was used before the advent of teleprinters. AAD photograph (4215-C6) And it was through using the teleprinter system that we developed the WYSSA. WYSSA is local ANARE jargon for a private telegram.
They were called that back in the Heard Island days, before we settled Mawson in 1954. However, WYSSA’s continued to be sent by teleprinters and then by satellite.

So did the first WYSSAs start using Morse Code?

Yes, initially, this was the only communications that the expeditioners had then, until the radphone came along, but they still continued sending WYSSAs.

They’d be cheaper, I guess.

Than the radphone, yes. Each expeditioner got so many free words a month, I think it was 175 free words a month. And if you exceeded that you paid about five cents a word. This allocation was divided up, the expeditioner could use 100 of those and his next-of-kin could use 75, that is how it was supposed to have been divided up. And then there was the code book, an adaptation of Bentleigh’s (sic) Telegraphic Codes. A code word would be a substitute for commonly used phrases or sentences. It was an economic means to reduce the number of words in a telegram, both for the expeditioner and for the radio operator who had to transmit it letter-by-letter by Morse Code. You could send a lot of words, a lot of conversation, by using about 10 code words, which would result in about half a page of letter when you decoded the WYSSA. Some of the cleverer expeditioners used to doctor the code a bit, they would develop their own private meanings to the code words with their next-of-kin. They might change the meaning for a code word about elephant seals or the sea ice, but in fact they were really talking with their own private code. You got to know many of the commonly used code words without having to look them up in the code book. It was used for many years.

signal codes

1763 Tactique navale, ou, Traité des Évolutions et des signaux; avec figures en taille-douce.
Bigot de Morogues, Sebastien François (1705-1781). Paris, H.L. Guerin & L.F. Delatour, 1763
original at Michigan.
in two parts :
Livre Premieur — Des Évolutions. (13 chapitres).
Livre Second — Des Signaux et Ordres Généraux.
Tactique Navale is primarily devoted to tactics, but integrates signals with its presentation, so important are they to the success of naval evolutions involving multiple vessels.
1803 Telegraphic Signals; or Marine Vocabulary.
By Sir Home Popham. Printed for T. Egerton, Military Library, Near Whitehall. 1803
original at NYPL, which copy contains annotations/additions throughout, though only scarcely visible in this scan.
This is an expansion of a Popham’s earlier (1800) code, which is now incorporated in a first section. To that are added two sections: (1) words next useful to those in the first, which are placed opposite to it in alphabetical order, to save the trouble of opening the book twice, and (2) a third separate part (beginning at page 63), consisting of sentences most applicable to military or general conversation. These sentences should be frequently practised to make them familiar, as they will save many signals. Faint annotations throughout, flag-numbered tabs.
1808 A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication, Naval, Military, and Political.
in which the known defects of the present system of telegraphic practice by sea and land are obviated by the introduction of a Numerical Portable Dictionary...
By John Macdonald. Printed for T. Egerton, Military Library, Near Whitehall. 1808

original at Michigan.
1808 A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication by Day and Night,
for Naval, Military, and Commercial Purposes. (on new principles.) Illustrated with engravings and coloured flags; By which are exemplified the different Methods of working by regular and compound Numbers. Also is added A Numerical Inflected Dictionary of The English Language, Calculated for Communication on any Subject, and adapted to any Numerical Code.
By Joseph Conolly. London: Printed and Published by W. Winchester and Son, Strand. 1808

original at Michigan HE9737 .C75

Title; Advertisement (2pp); Numerical Flag Table (Plate 15); Naval Code. Of flags and pendants pp 5-6; Of regular number pp 6-7; Of compound numbers pp 7-10 (includes a Table of Compound Numbers (Plate 16), examples of compound numbers (Plate 3); Table of numbers from 1 to 999 (with reference to compound numbers in rotation as they occur) pp 11-16; On the use of pendants, pp 17-18; On alphabetical signals p18; On hoisting and lowering signals pp 19; On auxiliary signals pp 20-22; an example (plate number obscured); Alphabetical Table (facing p23, plate number obscured); Portable, military and commercial telegraph p23; On portable signals pp 23-24; example of portable signal (plate number obscured) facing p25 —

Portable Signal, detail (Plate 13?, facing p25), Conolly, A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication by Day and Night (1808)

Portable telegraphic machine pp 25-27 (includes a plate); On placing the machine pp 27-28; Table (color, Plate 17) showing 1-9, (n)o or Negative, Substitute or Interrogative, and Extra Substitute or Affirmative; examples of signals (plates 7, 8 and 9); Numerical signals p29; General remarks pp 30-33; Triangular Telegraph House for Night and Day, Plate 10; Triangular Telegraph House pp 33-35; Example of Three Projections, which express How, Are, You. (Plate 11); Numerical and alphabetical house signals, pp 35-36; Telegraph house pendants pp 36-38; Night Telegraph Table (Plate 12); On different codes, belonging to the House Telegraph p39; Night telegraph pp 39-41; Numerical & Alphabetical Fixed Telegraph (Plate 18); Alphabetical Table (Plate 14);

Alphabetical Tables (two plates, obscure number at left, plate 14 at right), Joseph Conolly, A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication by Day and Night (1808)

Numerical and Alphabetical Stationary Telegraph pp 41-43 (includes penned correction ~~alphabetically~~ to numerically); Portable Night Alphabet (Plate 13) — rather like Braille, or dominoes; Portable Night Telegraph pp 43-44; On ships’ Night Signals p44; followed by Numerical Inflected Dictionary : 1 / Aback through 10935 / Zoology (totalling 174pp of numbered vocabulary/inflections (no phrases).

See also same author’s An Essay on Universal Telegraphic Communication (1817), which restates the alphabet, provides 72 phrases (in several languages), and dispenses with the inflected vocabulary.

1817 A Treatise Explanatory of a New System of Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Communication
of General Application, in which a Comprehensive Numerical Dictionary...is applied...

By John Macdonald. T. Egerton’s, Military Library, Whitehall. 1817
original at NYPL.

As its title indicates, this volume contains two separate works, a treatise, and the dictionary. Each has its own title page —

Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc, sciat alter. — Pers. Sat.

from Aulus Persius Flaccus (34-62), a Roman satirical poet and moralist, Satire I, line 26.
Usque adeone scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter? :
Is all your knowledge to go so utterly for nothing unless other people know that you possess it?


John Macdonald, A Treatise Explanatory... (1817) title page (cropped)		John Macdonald, A Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Dictionary (1817) title paged (cropped)

Macdonald's systems were subject to criticism for being cumbersome; his anthropo-telegraph involving five men holding flags, their actions guided by a sixth director comes in for special derision by H. P. Mead in his The Story of the Semaphore (Mariner's Mirror 19 (January 1933). See also David Lyndon Woods, The Evolution of Visual Signals on Land and Sea (dissertation, Ohio State University, 1976): 49. Macdonald’s signal system may have been flawed, but his vocabulary is quite interesting.

macdonald_treatise_explanatory_1817_things_600w1149h.jpg

unnumbered page, Class XII (then-thing-thirdly) ex John Macdonald, A Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Dictionary (1817)

Macdonald arranges his vocabulary in 99 + 42 different classes (numbered 1-99, X-LII), each containing up to 999 instances (141 x 999 = 140,859 terms). I have compiled a list of these classes, showing for each the first and last several entries, as a kind of sample of the contents of this book (and to ensure that I examine these pages closely!).

The vocabulary contains not only single words, but phrases whose compilation he discusses in his introduction:

It appeared a defect of the two former Dictionaries [Macdonald’s own], that frequently occuring words, such as why, where, with, if, &c., &c. were not combined, so as to form adjunct current phrases. This has been effected in the instances of such words as are printed at the tops of the columns: and these various instances are, frequently, between two and three thousand. In doing this, it became necessary to compare such words with every word in a common Dictionary, selecting such combinations as struck the mind’s eye to be of common recurrence and use. This consideration alone will enable any person to judge of the labour it required to compose the Telegraphic Dictionary. (p9, here)

I	here	Auxiliary select class I
II	here	Auxiliary select class II

1	1 / A bad, A baseless, A certain — 999 / Alarm-post
2	1 / Alarms, Alarmed, Alarmed by — 999 / Are far doing
3	1 / Are far from; 2 / Are far from being; 3 / Are for — 998 / Authorizing; 999 / Autumn
4	1 / Autumnal; 2 / Auxiliary; 3 / Auxiliaries — 998 / Blacker; 999 / Blackest
5	1 / Black sides; 2 / Blackguard; 3 / Blackguards — 998 / Cajoled; 999 / Cajoling
6	1 / Cajoler; 2 / Cajolers; 3 / Calamitous; 4 / Calamitous circumstances — 998 / Choice of; 999 /Choicest
7	1 / To choke; 2 / chokes; 3 / choked; 4 / Choked up — 998 / Concerting; 999 / Concerting with
8	1 / To conciliate; 2 / Conciliates; 3 / Conciliated — 998 / Corps; 999 / Corps de garde
9	1 / Corps de reserve; 2 / Corps of cavalry; 3 / Corps of infantry — 998 / Dazzled; 999 / Deacon
10	1 / Dead here; 2 / Dead of; 3 / Deadlights — 998 / Detentions; 999 / Detention of
11	1 / To deter; 2 / Deter them; 3 / Deter — 998 / Disobedient to; 999 / Disobediently
12	1 / Disobediently inclined; 2 / To disobey; 3 / disobey — 998 / Duly paid; 999 / Duly warned
13	1 / Dumb; 2 / Dumb and deaf; 3 / Dumbness; 4 / Dumbfounded — 998 / Encouraged by; 999 / Encouraged them
14	1 / Encouraged you; 2 / Encouraging; 3 / Encouragement; 4 / Encouragement to act — 998 / Europeans; 999 / Europeans and natives
15	1 / To exact; 2 / exact; 3 / exacter — 998 / Facetiously; 999 / Facetiousness
16	1 / To facilitate; 2 / Facilitate; 3 / Facilitate the business — 998 / Fining; 999 / Fining them all
17	1 / Finely; 2 / Finely done; 3 / Finely effected — 998 / Forgiving; 999 / Forgiven
18	1 / Forgiven by; 2 / Forgiven on account of; 3 / Forgiveness — 998 / The) stern-gallery; 999 / Gallery in the mine
19	1 / Galley; 2 / Gallies; 3 / Gallons; 4 / Gallons of — 998 / We are) gratified to hear that; 999 / Gratifying
20	1 / Gratifying to me to be able; 2 / Gratifying to me to do; 3 / Gratifying to me to find that; 4 / Gratifying to them — 998 / Great rendevous; 999 / Great renegado
21	1 / Great renewal; 2 / Great renovation; 3 / Great renown; 4 / Great rent — 998 / Ground tackle; 999 / Groundwork
22	1 / To group; 2 / Group; 3 / Groups — 996 / Had your supposition; 997 / Had your support; 998 / Had your suspicions; 999 / Had your wing
23	1 / Haddocks; 2 / Haft; 3 / Hafts — 996 / Has this been for; 997 / Has this been in; 998 / Has this been more; 999 / Has this been much
24	1 / Has this been no; 2 / Has this been no detriment; 3 / Has this been no hindrance — 997 / Have not you had the; 998 / Have not you had this; 999 / Have your accounts
25	1 / Have your accounts ready; 2 / Have your battalion ready; 3 / Have your books ready — 997 / He could not agree about; 998 / He could not agree on the terms; 999 / He could allow
26	1 / He could allow him; 2 / He could allow them; 3 / He could alone; 4 / He could always — 997 / He has not done such; 998 / He has not done that; 999 / He has not done the
27	1 / He has not done them; 2 / He has not done there; 3 / He has not done us — 997 / He is endeavoring; 998 / He is engaged; 999 /He is engaged to do
28	1 / He is insured; 2 / He is entirely; 3 / He is entirely at your service; 4 / He is entirely dismissed — 996 / He may agree; 997 / He may also; 998 / He may always; 999 / He may as
29	1 / He may as well; 2 / He may at; 3 / He may at his leisure — 996 / He may the; 997/ He may think; 998 / He may very; 999 / He may want
30	1 / He might a, an; ; 2 / He might a long time before; 3 / He might a month ago; 4 / He might a month hence — 996 / He must arrange; 997 / He must as; 998 / He must, as soon as possible; 999 / He must ascertain
31	1 / He must ask; 2 / He must assemble; 3 / He must assist; 4 / He must assure — 997 / He must have also; 998 / He must have always; 999 / He must have always foreseen
32	1 / He must have appeared; 2 / He must have applied; 3 / He must have applied for; 4 / He must have approved — 997 / He must mask his guns; 998 / He must mean; 999 / He must mention
33	1 / He must merit; 2 / He must mind; 3 / He must mistake; 4 / He must more than ever — 997 / He must not have had, while 998 / He must not have had with; 999 / He must not have had without
34	1 / He must not have had you; 2 / He must not have had your; 3 / — must not have happened; 4 / He must not have heard — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
35	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
36	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
37	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
38	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
39	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
40	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
41	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
42	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
43	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
44	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
45	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
46	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
47	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
48	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
49	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
50	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
51	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
52	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
53	1 / Inland navigation; 2 / Inlaid; 3 / Inlet — 998 / Invitation from; 999 / Invitation to
54	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
55	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
56	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
57	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
58	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
59	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
60	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
61	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
62	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
63	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
64	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
65	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
66	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
67	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
68	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
69	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
70	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
71	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
72	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
73	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
74	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
75	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
76	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
77	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
78	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
79	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
80	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
81	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
82	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
83	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
84	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
85	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
86	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
87	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
88	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
89	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
90	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
91	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
92	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
93	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
94	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
95	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
96	1 / Systematical; 2 / Systematically; 3 / Tabby; 4 / Tabernacle — 996 / I) told them; 997 / I) told you; 998 / Telling; 999 / Avoid) telling
97	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
98	1 / xxx; 2 / xxx; 3 / xxxx — 998 / xxxx; 999 / xxxx
99	1 / Their help; 2 / Their honor; 3 / Their ignorance; 4 / Tabernacle — 996 / Then since; 997 / Then some; 998 / Then some of them; 999 / Then so

Having run through 99, the classes continue but now with roman numerals, X through XLII. Numeration in these sections is not straightforward, with many subclasses indicated by pendants, flags, etc.

X	1 / Then sorry; 2 / Then spoke; 3 / She was) then steering; 4 / They were) then steering — 996 / These powers; 997 / These practices; 998 / These preparations; 999 / These presents
XI	1 / These pretensions; 2 / These principles; 3 / These privately; 4 / These prizes — 996 / They relented; 997 / They relieved; 998 / They relinquished; 999 / They relied on
XII	1 / They remain; 2 / They remained; 3 / They remarked; 4 / They remembered — 996 / Till accounted for; 997 / Till advice; 998 / Till advised; 999 / Till after
XIII	1 / Till afterwards; 2 / Till again; 3 / Till again called on; 4 / Till all; 5 / Till all is done — 996 / It is) to bad; 997 / Too bold; 998 / Too busy; 999 / Too careless

macdonald_telegraphic_dictionary_1817_classXIII_tis_600w1142h.jpg

unnumbered page, Class XIII (’tis-to-to) ex John Macdonald, A Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Dictionary (1817)

Was looking for to be or not to be. Not here, but ’tis of little consequence. I think a novel (or several) might be written solely from phrases in this code, together with a bit of s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g for proper names.

XIV	1 / Too cautious; 2 / Too clear; 3 / He,) too, could be; 4 / Too desperate; 5 / It is) too desperate an attempt — 996 / To trouble any one; 997 / To trouble him; 998 / To trouble me; 999 / To trouble them
XV	1 / To trouble you; 2 / Trouble; 3 / We have a great deal of) trouble; 4 / Trouble him; 5 / Trouble me — 996 / Valediction; 997 / Valedictory; 998 / Valentine; 999 / Valentines
XVI	1 / Valet; 2 / Valets; 3 / Send my) valet; 4 / Valetudinarian; 5 / Valetudinarians — 996 / Very daring; 997 / Very dark; 998 / Very deceitful; 999 / Very decent
XVII	1 / Very decided; 2 / A) very decided opinion; 3 / Very decisive; 4 / Very deep; 5 / Very deeply concerned — 996 / Violates; 997 / Violated; 998 / Have) violated the treat; 999 / Violating
XVIII	1 / They are) violating; 2 / Violating; 3 / Violations... 24 / Virago; 25 / Viragos; 26 / Virgin — 996 / Underneath you will find; 997 / Underofficer; 998 / Underofficers; 999 / Underpart
XIX	1 / Underparts; 2 / The) underpart; 3 / Underplot; 4 / Underplotted; 5 / To underprop — 996 / Unless mindful; 997 / Unless minute; 998 / Unless mischievous persons; 999 / Unless misconduct prevents it
XX	1 / Unless misfortunes happen; 2 / Unless misled; 3 / Unless mismanaged; 4 / Unless misrepresented; 5 / Unless mistaken — 996 / Unswayed; 997 / To unswear; 998 / Unswear; 999 / Unswears
XXI	1 / Unsweared, or unswore; 2 / Unswearing; 3 / Unsweet; 4 / Unswept; 5 / Unsworn — 996 / Us away from; 997 / Us away to; 998 / Us back; 999 / The sent) us back
XXII	1 / Let) us be; 2 / Let) us be prepared; 3 / Let) us be ready; 4 / Let) us bear; 5 / Let) us come — 996 / Was there work for; 997 / Was this a, an; 998 / Was this all; 999 / Was this all that
XXIII	1 / Was this also; 2 / Was this always; 3 / Was this any; 4 / Was this any reason; 5 / Was this as — 996 / We must assist; 997 / We must at; 998 / We must at all events; 999 / We must at any rate
XXIV	1 / We must be ready; 2 / We must be soon; 3 / We must be very; 4 / Was this any reason; 5 / We must certainly — 996 / We would use; 997 / We would wait; 998 / We would want; 999 / We would wrong
XXV	1 / Weak; 2 / Weaker; 3 / Weakest; 4 / He is a very) weak man; 5 / To weaken — 996 / They) were known by; 997 / They) were known to be; 998 / They) were landed at; 999 / They were late in coming
XXVI	1 / They were late in coming; 2 / They) were lately here; 3 / They) were laughed at for their folly; 4 / They) were lying-to; 5 / They) were let out — 994 / What I ordered, must be done; 995 / What I said, was true; 996 / What I wanted, was; 997 / What idle nonsense; 998 / What idiots; 999 / What if there should be
XXVII	1 / What illiberal conduct; 2 / What immediately concerns; 3 / What immense; 4 / What impertinence; 5 / Of) what importance is it — 996 / Whatever skill; 997 / No skill) whatever; 998 / Whatever society; 999 / No society) whatever
XXVIII	1 / There is no society) whatever; 2 / No soul) whatever mentioned it; 3 / No soul) whatever was present; 4 / We had no sport) whatever — 996 / Where I would be; 997 / Where I would do; 998 / Where I would have; 999 / Where I would have been
XXIX	1 / Where idle; 2 / Where immense; 3 / Where important; 4 / Where improper — 996 / Where would all; 997 / Where would every; 998 / Where would he; 999 / Where would be put
XXX	1 / Where would I; 2 / Where would I be; 3 / Where would I have; 4 / Where would I send — 996 / Which puts; 997 / Which puts me; 998 / Which puts you; 999 / Which quarrel
XXXI	1 / Which quarrels; 2 / In) which quarter; 3 / Which quarts; 4 / Which question; 5 / Which quite — 996 / Who misunderstood; 997 / Who most; 998 / Who, most obligingly; 999 / Who, most willingly
XXXII	1 / Who, much to his credit; 2 / Who, much to their credit; 3 / Who must at last; 4 / Who must attend; 5 / Who must be — 996 / Whom would they have; 997 / Whom would they make; 998 / Whom would they order; 999 / Whom would they put
XXXIII	1 / Who would they send; 2 / Whom would they take; 3 / Whom would they want; 4 / Whom would we — 996 / Why ought he to have been; 997 / Why ought he to lose; 998 / Why ought he to make; 999 / Why ought he to order
XXXIV	1 / Why ought he to put; 2 / Why ought he to return; 3 / Why ought he to take; 4 / Why ought I — 996 / Will it do no; 997 / Will it do the; 998 / Will it do them; 999 / Will it do you
XXXV	1 / Will it do your; 2 / Will it have; 3 / Will it have a, an; 4 / Will it have been — 996 / With equal; 997 / With equal reason; 998 / With equivocation; 999 / With essential benefit
XXXVI	1 / With esteem; 2 / With evasions; 3 / With even; 4 / With even numbers; 5 / With ever so little — 996 / Without expecting; 997 / Without expense; 998 / Without expense to him; 999 / Without experience
XXXVII	1 / Without explaining; 2 / Without exposing; 3 / Without extraordinary; 4 / Without fail — 996 / A) worse time of it; 997 / Worse to; 998 / Worse to be; 999 / Worse to do

macdonald_telegraphic_dictionary_1817_classXXXVIII_worst_600w1139h.jpg

unnumbered page (cropped), Classes XXXVII-XXXVIII (worst-worst-worst), ex John Macdonald, A Naval, Military and Political Telegraphic Dictionary (1817)

No worstward ho.

XXXVIII	1 / Worse to manage; 2 / Worse to offer; 3 / Worse to satisfy; 4 / Worse to wait — 994 / With hideous) yells; 995 / Yelled; 996 / Yelling; 997 / Yellow; 998 / Yellowr; 999 / Yellowest
XXXIX	1 / A) yellow flag; 2 / Yellow ochre; 3 / Yellow paint; 4 / A) yellow pendant at — 996 / You will be more; 997 / You will be much; 998 / You will be of; 999 / You will be on
XL	1 / You will be the; 2 / You will be then; 3 / You will be there; 4 / You will do — 115 / Zones; 116 / The frigid) zone; 117 / The temperate) zone; 118 / The torrid) zone

Appendix to Colonel Macdonald’s Dictionary for facilitating general telegraphic communication be Sea and Land.

Christian names of men, alphabetically arranged; Names of women; Latin and French Phrases; Titles, and days of the months; Days of months, and remarkable days

XL	119 / Aaron; 120 / Abel; 121 / Abraham; 122 / Sir Abraham — 996 / The King’s birth day; 997 / The Prince of Wales’s birth day; 998 / The Queen’s birth day; 999 / Whitsunday

Auxiliary Board shut, as a Class Number. The Mariner’s Compass;

(XL)	1 / North; 2 / North 1/2 East; 3 / North 1/2 East; 4 / North 3/4 east — 250 / North &asmp; by East 1/4 North; 251 / North & by East 1/2 North; 252 / North & by East 3/4 North North

Naval Sentences of Service

These are presented under italicized headings, e.g., Able, About, Abreast to facilitate finding. These sentences would appear in earlier sections of conventional signal books, and involve fewer signals.

XLI

1 / We are not able to obey the signal; 2 / We are not able to renew the action; 3/ We are not able to take more troops —
996 / You will find a sufficiency of every thing wanted; 997 / We are in want of surgeons; 998 / Your surgeon is wanted here for a short time; 999 / We surprized the place

XLII

1 /We surprized them at anchor, and have captured the following ships; 2 / We tried to surprize them, but are sorry to say they were well prepared, and repulsed us with considerable loss; 3 / You sustained us nobly, and to your gallantry is greatly to be ascribed the success of the enterprize. —
996 / At three quarters past seven; 997 / At three quarters past eight; 998 / At three quarters past nine; 999 / At three quarters past ten

There follows :

The combinations formed on Colonel Macdonald’s Shutter, and Semaphoric Telegraph; Are reduced to practice, under an easy descriptive principle readily applicable to Service, and commence here.

XLIII	253 / xxxx; 254 / xxxx; 255 / xxxxx — 996 / Were you not; 997 / x; 998 / xxx; 999 / xxx
XLIV	1 / What are they; 2 / What are you; 3 / What can; 4 / What cannot — 259 / Yourself; 260 / Yourselves

Process of Spelling, When Unavoidable

///	1 / A, or An; 2 / B; 3 / C; 4 / D — 998 / fea; 999 / feb
///	1 / fec; 2 / fed; 3 / fee; 4 / fei — 998 / pie; 999 / pif
///	1 / pig; 2 / pik; 3 / pil; 4 / pim — 997 / ying; 998 / zing

The Numeral Class

///	1H 11U / 1; 1H 12U / 2; 1H 13U / 3; 1H 14U / 4 — 998 / fea; 999 / feb
///	1H 11U / 1; 1H 12U / 2; 1H 13U / 3; 1H 14U / 4 — A9H 15 T / 00000...; A9T 15H / 016...; 31 (using Auxiliary-ball / 000020

There follows specimens of Sentences of Service,
The Gazetteer classes XLV (1-999), XLVI (1-999), XLVII (1-690);
List of the Royal Navy Class XLVIII (1-815);
A List of the Hon. East India Company’s Shipping (continuing Class XLVIII 816-980);
The Bombay Marine (continuing Class XLVIII 981-999);
Military Words, and Sentences of Service (specimens), Class XLIX (1-886 — 113 unoccupied Numbers remain here.
Field Movements of the Line (1-88);
A Few Field Movements of Attack (89-99); and
Commecial Sentences and Answers Class L (1-109, The remaining 890 numbers remaining in this Class may be similarly, or otherwise, made use of.
[end]

Verbatim code?
Above, Class 22 : 998 / Had your suspicions — and many had phrases preceding it, of all sorts. Presages so-called verbatim codes, where verbatim re-presentation of natural language is emphasized. But two objectives are at work here: (1) anticipation of any likely utterance in the phrase vocabulary as struck the mind’s eye to be of common recurrence and use, and (2), the ability to reduce the number of signals needed for the transmission of a message, by increasing the size of the vocabulary. (I believe that Shannon talks about this.) In this code, Macdonald anticipates the verbatim codes, including Frederic G McCutcheon his enormous International Banking Corporation Telegraph Code / Phrase Tables of 1908.

I wonder if the scoliastic vocabulary — its exhaustive conjugations keyed to auxiliary verbs — like had, have, having — was felt by some as either too exact or finely granulated in its phraseology, or wrongly favoring the auxiliaries over more appropriate headings, like 22:999 Had your supposition, where had your might better have been located under supposition.

But the exhaustive phraseology looks forward to the statistical selection of phrase chunks extracted from a corpus, rather than to a logical classification scheme.

See also Macdonald his A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication, Naval, Military, and Political (London, 1808), here.Its title continues: In which the known defects of the present system of telegraphic practice by sea and land are obviated by the introduction of a Numerical Portable Dictionary, Calculated, when applied to various described Telegraphs, and to the Naval Flag System, to be an accurate Medium of carrying on distant Conversation, without any Liability to Confusion, Error, or Mistake: with some considerations on the present state of the marine code, and of naval signals. Illustrated by linear plates Connected with the Detail of The New Telegraphic System; Substituting, on very simple Principles, a speaking, in lieu of a spelling power, in Different Day and Night Maritime, Civil and Military Telegraphs. The title page includes this epigram —
frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora
evidently from Aristotle (and associated with Occam’s Razor), that Englished signifies It is vain to do with more, what can be done with less.

This volume includes a specimen of the Telegraphic Dictionary, pp67-77, covering 999 terms, and of a second vocabulary consisting of expressions, not found in the former dictionary, now arranged in classes each able to total 999 words. The 1817 code expands this second vocabulary.

1817 A system of general signals for night and day
whereby merchant vessels may communicate at a distance by means of the common colours of the ship, and with four lanterns by night, without going out of their course.
By Charles Lenox Sargent. Boston: Printed by Wells and Lilly, 1817.
original at Harvard Nav 578.17.2
circular signals (white and black, also semicircles), also flags and lanterns; some questions, names of places, compass directions, alphabet, description of vessel, &c., provisions, orders, &c. no long phrases.
First entries are questions — (1) Whence came you? (2) Where bound? (3) How long out? ... (16) Have you had soundings, where and how much? (17) Is it peace still? (18) Who are we at war with? (19) Any cruisers on the coast? (20) What coast is blockaded?
1817 An Essay on Universal Telegraphic Communication
in which a plan is laid down for reciprocal intercourse between the different nations of the world in their respective languages; a principle the most simple and economical.

By Joseph Conolly, Telegraphist, author of the Telegraphic Dictionary, and other Vocabularies. London: Winchester & Son, Strand

original at Oxford University

Dedication (iii)-iv; Introduction (one page); two unnumbered (and possibly slipped in?) pages of phrases in Russian, 1-72; unnumbered page (loose?) of the Alphabetical and Numerical keys, bearing Bodleian size and shelflist no. 8o. B5.P.197 (?);

Alphabetical Table (Plate 5, facing p1); Universal Portable Telegraph, Explanation, pp1-5; — the entirety, including title page, repeated in French; — followed by Questions/Answers numbered 1-72, pp8-9;
Joseph Conolly, An Essay on Universal Telegraphic Communication (1817), pp8-9 (reformatted)

Demands/Reponses (1-72), pp 10-11; Question/Respuesta (1-72), pp 12-13; Preguntas/Repostas (1-72), pp 14-15; Fragen/Antworten (1-72), pp 16-17; Vraggen/Antwoorden (1-72), pp 18-19; Svar/Fragor (1-72), pp 20-21; Sporsmaal/Svar (1-72), pp 22-23; Interrogazioni/Risposte (1-72), pp 24-25; followed by blank pages, numbered 1-36 verso 37-72 verso, pp 26-45.

Emphasizes the numeric over the alphabetical code; p2 of the Introduction explains use of a (white) answering symbol denoting the affirmative, and the checquered side of the same, [denoting] the negative answer, or no.
See also same author’s A Treatise on Telegraphic Communication by Day and Night (1808).
1818 An improved system of telegraphic communication.
Including a copious list of the names of places, persons, ships, articles in London price current, medicines, ship’s indent book, and an easy means of reference to Walker’s Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, whereby Every Word therein may be most easily signified, to the Exclusion of the tedious Operation of Spelling by Signal.
By Thomas Lynn. Second Edition (Carefully revised and further improved.) London 1818.
original at Bodleian 231.g.32
This book is interesting largely for the arrangement of its phrase matter. Lynn (1774-1847) was a commander of the East India Company and author of Nautical and Astronomical Tables (1825), Horary Tables for Finding Time by Inspection (1827) and other works, hints of which can be found in the contents of the telegraphic code described here. He was also one of the authors of An Historical and Descriptive Account of China (Edinburgh, 1836), his contribution being a chapter on navigation to China.
Lynn is briefly described at the online pages to The Skilfull Seaman, An exhibition of items from the Foyle Special Collections Library to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (notes to Case 5). There is an entry on Lynn in the DNB.
BL has the earlier edition : An improved system of telegraphic communications. (Continuation of the general vocabulary. Supplementary vocabulary.), London 1814. Shelfmark 534.l.29.
The following list of contents is based on the Table of Contents found in the volume, which, however, does not accurately reflect what is in the book, whose pages have no folios.
1. Instruction to the Second Edition.
  The Introduction explains the incorporation of Mr. Walker’s stereotyped Critical Pronouncing Dictionary at pp xxvii-xxxi, starting here. The basic idea is to indicate Walker with a D (for Dictionary) pennant, followed by indicators for page and word-number, respectively.
  The examples he shows do not exactly match page number, nor even location of folios, of editions available online, but this American edition published in 1818 serves well enough. Lynn’s usage of Walker is presented as a temporary expedient: he has been called to sea again, he writes, so that publication of his work in a complete state iincluding a simple system of signifying all the words of the English Dictionary, must await another time. (pp x and xxvii).
2. Two-Flag Index and Vocabulary.
  promised in TOC, but does not appear in the volume.
3. Three-Flag Index and Vocabulary.
  Single words, phrases, some instructions. Some surprising entries, too — for dear, for love, thoughtless, turtle.
  S83 Turtle. 1 -s. 2 a turtle feast, 3 I will send you some turtle, 4 have you any turtle? 5 I have turtle, 6 I have no turtle, 7 a good beach for turtle, 8 send on shore and endeavor to catch turtle, 9 I intend to try for turtle, 0 there is a fine turtle close to your ship apparently asleep on the water, S come and eat turtle with me!!!
4. Vocabulary of the Names of Places, &c.
  (Indicated by the Red Pennant.)
5. Vocabulary of the Names of Persons, &c.
  (Indicated by the Blue Pennant.)
6. Vocabulary of the Names of Ships, &c.
  (Indicated by the Blue Pennant.)
7. Blanks for Local Significations.
  (Indicated by the Blue Pennant.)
8. Alphabet and Spelling Table.
  (Indicated by the Yellow Pennant.)
9. Auxiliary Verbs.
  (Indicated by the Yellow Pennant.)
  followed by main heading Miscellaneous Matter, beginning with
10. Articles In Price Current.
  (Indicated by the Yellow Pennant.)
  Terms used in Prices Current, &c.
  Questions and Examples relating to Price Current
  Medicines &c. [including complaints, diseases, &c.
11. Ship’s Tradesmen, Stores, &c..
  (Indicated by the Yellow Pennant.)
  This interesting list, grouped thematically, names the trades equipment pertaining to them. The larger categories are: Ship’s Stores, Boatswain’s Stores, Carpenter’s Stores, Coopers’s Stores and Tools, Gunner’s Stores, Cook’s Stores, Ship’s Steward’s Stores, Sails and Sail-Maker’s Stores, Captain’s Steward’s Stores, and Surgeon’s Stores,
  The above followed by two additional sections, not included in Table of Contents —
  Instructions relative to Sails.
  Two pages of coded instructions, and two pages of Sails with their respective Primes
  and
  Additional Instructions and Remarks.
1828 A New Code of Telegraphic Signals for Yachts and Pleasure Boats
Richard B. Wynne. Edinburgh, Printed for the Author, 1828
original at Bodleian
unpaginated. includes these sections :
1. Requisite Flags (pdf 11)
2. Introduction (pdf 14-15)
3. Local Table (pdf 16-21)
  The following Seventeen Signals are made by hoisting the Substitute either over or under one of the flags. The Substitute is represented in the margin by the letter S.
  The blanks may be filled up by such local significations or particular sentences as any two parties may previously agree upon.
  This Table will be found particularly useful in communications between Steam Boats or other Vessels and their Agents on shore.
  [this page is lithographed ("Forrester lithog. Edin.r" shown at bottom); other pages showing penants are likely also lithographed.]
4. Significations Denoted by the flags when hoisted singly; and alphabet instructions (pdf 22-24)
5. Part I. Distinguishing Pendants of Particular Vessels and Signal Posts. Compass Signals. Alphabet. (pdf 26-29)
6. Part II. Sentences. (pdf 30-61)
  In the first ninety Signals of the following division of the Code, the Substitute is hoised over the Numeral Flags, and is represented in the marginal number by the letter S.
7. Part III. Flag 7, Preparative.
  Numeral Table. Time Table. Persons’ Names. (pdf 62-76)
  When any Signal is to be made from this division of the Code, First hoist the Numeral Flag 7, as a Preparative, and when that is answered, make the intended Signal.
8. Part IV. Flag 8, Preparative
  Sea Port Towns, Islands, Headlands, &c. (pdf 78-95)
  When any Signal is to be made from this division of the Code, first hoist the Numeral Flag 8, as a Preparative, and when that is answered, make the number of the intended Signal.
9. Part V. Vocabulary. (pdf 98-187)
  Signals made from this Division of the Code, are distinguished by having Four FLAGS hoisted at a time.
10. Yachts’s Names (pdf 190-211)
1832 The United States Telegraph Vocabulary
being an appendix to Elford’s Marine Telegraph Signal Book.
John R. Parker. Boston: From the Steam Power Press Office. W. L. Lewis, Printer, 1832.
original at Harvard: Nav 578.32

1835 The Universal Sea Language,
being a complete code of signals for day and night. Adapted to the use of vessels of all nations, and requiring no additional flags, or means, but such as are found in every vessel, even the smallest fishing craft... Published also in Danish, French, and German.
Levin Joergen Rohde
Translated from the Danish by Captain H. B. Dahlerup, R.D.N.
Second Edition. London, 1835

Bodleian 35.785

Front matter pagination starts at p vi (counting from title page) through xxviii, then code proper 1-175
Flags, phrases, compound tables.

Rohde is mentioned in David Lyndon Woods his The evolution of Visual Signals on Land and Sea (Ohio State University dissertation, 1976), but only with regard to his night signals.

General Contents at p xiv :

I THE GREAT CODE OF SENTENCES, expressed by Pair Signals xv

PREPARATORY SIGNAL xvii

Introduction xviii

SIGNAL TABLE xxii, xxiii

Explanation of the Code xxv

Contents of each Chapter xxviii

Communicating Sentences 1 to 76

COMPOUND TABLE 79 to 123

Alphabetical INDEX to Sentences 171 to 174

II SELECTED SIGNALS, being certain Signals set apart for some of the most important sentences, required to be communicated with as little loss of time as possible
125

III THE LESSER CODE OF SENTENCES, expressed by Pair Signals, for the use of vessels not provided with the number of flags required for using the greater Code
127

Introductory Remarks 128

SIGNAL TABLE 130, 131

Contents of each Chapter 134

Communicating Sentences 135

COMPOUND TABLE 147

IV SIGNALS to be used by PILOTS to vessels in distress, when it blows so hard that they cannot be boarded
152

V SIGNALS to be used by Vessels having lost their Masts, or for Wrecks 158

VI NIGHT SIGNALS 163

Shown below are the underlying flag signals for s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g and for Great and Lesser code vocabularies. The elementary signals run 1-40. —

ex Levin Joergen Rohde, The Universal Sea Language, London, 1835; pp xxii-xxiii, from google scan

Here are sentences taken from Chapter 12 in the Great Code of Sentences, with indications for use of the Compound Table, including one instance (1245) with two usages within one sentence. A page from the Compound Table is shown immediately following these sentences. —

ex Levin Joergen Rohde, The Universal Sea Language, London, 1835; pp 60, from google scan

The correct meaning of the signals taken from the Compound Table will always be given in the sentence that precedes it. Some later telegraphic codes employed variations of this technique. Here is the salient passage from the Directions, which also provide examples. —

This Table is composed of such objects of inquiry and conversation at sea, as generally require to be formed into so many different tables, with each its proper distinguishing signal; such as points of compass, date of the month, day of the week, hour of the day, degrees of latitude and longitude, names of harbours, towns, headlands, &c. The bringing of this heterogeneous matter together into one table, is founded upon the supposition, that a preceding sentence clearly shows the column of the Compound Table to which the signal made refers, or in which the answer to be given must be sought for. And though the signals for this table are the same which are used to express sentences, yet no mistake can happen, as it will always be clear from a preceding signal, whether the signal following, or the answer required, is to be looked for in the Compound Table, or not.

ex Levin Joergen Rohde, The Universal Sea Language, London, 1835

Here are sentences taken from Chapter 15 in the Great Code of Sentences —

ex Levin Joergen Rohde, The Universal Sea Language, London, 1835; pp 70, from google scan

The phrase vocabulary in Rohde is rich and interesting (e.g., the sentences regarding piracy); see also pp 125-26 for SELECTED SIGNALS, being certain Signals set apart for some of the most important sentences, required to be communicated with as little loss of time as possible.

1835 A Code of Universal Naval Signals
A Code of Universal Naval Signals, Calculated to afford the means of Communication between Ships of All Nations; and arranged so as to be easily translated into foreign languages: in which are included Night Signals, a plan for boat signals and for a semaphore or telegraph; together with a cypher for secret correspondence.
H. Cranmer Phillipps, R.N. London: 1835
on cover : London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longman, Paternoster Row; and G. Tremlett, Bristol, MDCCCXXXV.
original at Bodleian (35.777)
employs five flags — pendant, National Jack, guidon, cornette, two balls, vane and wheft.
The Flags or Symbols used in the following Signals (Plate 1); examples (Plate 2); Size of the Flags; Alphabetical Index of Sentences (xiii-xviii); Sentences (1-17); Auxiliary Words (18-21); Compass Signals and Bearings (22); Alphabet (23); Numeral Signals (24-25); Vocabulary (explanation pp 26-28; 29-54); Alphabetical Index to Vocabulary (55-102); Geographical Table I (103-116); Geographical Table II (117-127); Geographical Table III (128-132); Night Signals (133-137); Fog Signals (138-139); Signals with Bells (139-140); Convoy Signals (141-142); Private Signals and Cypher (143 — merely by altering the order of numbers in Plate I); Distant Signals (146); Semaphore & Manual Telegraph (147-148, plus Plate 3); Boat Signals (149-150); Local and Pilot Signals (151); Shipping List (158)
The sentences are arranged thematically and, as is the case with the first part of other signal codes, are devoted to distress, navigational, security and other critical communications. The explanation of the vocabulary cautions against its use by foreigners without acquaintance with the language.
1836 The New Semaphoric Signal Book, in Three Parts
containing the Marine Telegraph System, with the Appendix, The United States Telegraphic Vocabulary and embracing the Holyhead Signals, to which is annexed The Boston Harbor Signal Book.
John R. Parker. Boston: Printed by Light and Stearns, 1836.
original at Harvard: Nav 578.36
1845 The Telegraph Dictionary and Seamen’s Signal Book
adapted to signals by flags or other semaphores; and arranged for Secret Correspondence, through Morse’s Electro-Magnetic Telegraph: for the use of Commanders of Vessels, Merchants, &c.
Henry J. Rogers. Baltimore: Published by F. Lucas, Jr., 1845.
original at Harvard: Nav 573.45.3
1847 A Code of Signals
for the use of vessels employed in the Merchant Service
by Captain Marryat, R.N.. Tenth Edition, entirely revised and corrected. London. J. M. Richardson, 23, Cornhill., 1847.
original at Bodleian : 47.312
1848 Signal Book for Boston Harbor
by Hudson & Smith. Offices; Observatory, Central Wharf, and Old State House. Boston: 1848. Eastburn’s Press.
original at NYPL
pp6-14 phrases; pp 15-77 are telegraphic register (mostly blank in the earlier pages) of vessel names.
1851 A Code of Signals
For the use of vessels employed in the Merchant Service. (Eleventh Edition, entirely revised and corrected)
Captain Marryat, R.N. London: J. M. Richardson, 1851
original at Bodleian (231.h.11)
Dedicated to The Committee of the Society of Ship-Owners of the Port of London.
Note to the Eleventh Edition :
With the view of rendering this Code of Signals as complete and as perfect as possible, there has been added to the present Edition a plate of the Mercantile Flags of those nations whose Merchant Vessels are more frequently met with at sea; the list of Lighthouses has not only been much enlarged in number, but for the first time it has been rendered still more serviceable by the addition of the description of light, whether fixed or revolving, its latitude and longitude, and the number of miles at which it is visible; and to afford greater facility in reference, the Sentences have been further extended by reduplication.
1854 Universal Code of Signals
For The Merchant Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a selection of sentences adapted for convoys, and systems of geometrical signals.
Twelfth Edition.
By G. B. Richardson. London: J. M. Richardson, 1854
original at Bodleian (231.h.12)
Successive editions of Marryat introduce changes. This introduces a second distinguishing pendant, to accommodate the increased number of Merchant Vessals requiring distinguishing numbers.
1857 Code international: Télégraphie nautique (quatrième edition)
— Nautique réglemantaire pour les bâtiments de guerre et de commerce Français, acceptée par les gouvernements d’Angleterre, des Pays-Bas, de Sardaigne, de Suède / de Grèce, de Naples, de Belgique, de Prusse, de Novége, de Russie, de l’Uruguay, de Hambourg / d’Oldenbourg, du Chile, de Danemark, d’Autriche, etc., etc. publiée sous les auspices et par les ordres de S. Exc. M. Le Ministre de la Marine et des Colonies / par Charles de Reynold de Chauvancy... Quatrième Édition
Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, 1857
original at Stanford
1855 Reynold’s Code. Polyglot Nautical Telegraph
Reynold-Chauvancy, Charles de. Reynold’s Code. Polyglot Nautical Telegraph for the use of men of war and merchant vessels.
Revised by F. H. Simpkinson. London, 1855
title page missing in scan; original at Bodleian
Observations on the use of the repertory. (xxii)
The subjoined repertory has no pretensions to be a complete dictionary of marine terms and geography; its size is too restricted. The object that the Author has had in view, and which he hopes to have attained, is to give to the Marine Telegraph Code greater extension, by suppressing all causes for slowness and errors, by the addition of numerous phrases, and the suppression of divisions and chapters or series, and to make a vocabulary applicable equally to ships of war and merchantmen...
This work, which will appear shortly translated into various languages, with great care, cannot fail to become general under the protection of the respective Governments; it will permit all vessels to converse as easily as if all the sailors in the world spoke but one uniform language.
note — In 1855-56, the Board of Trade examined 13 codes of signals that had been published between 1808 and 1856, and made recommendations based on that study. In 1857, there was published The Commercial Code of Signals, for the Use of all nations, compiled by John T. Forster and based on those recommendations.
1858 Ward’s Code of Signal Telegraph, for Ocean Marine Service, alphabetically arranged
with all the principal seaport towns, light-houses and islands in the world, with their latitudes and longitudes, including North American Lake and River Navigation.
William Henry Ward, inventory of the Marine Telegraph,patented bullet-and-shell moulding machine, turn-tables, etc. Auburn, N.U.: Published by the Author, 1858
original at NYPL
System and mechanism, no vocabulary. Twelve (12) pages only — introductory material — of a volume whose table of contents covers pp 14-287. See entry for Ward’s The Ocean Marine Telegraph (1861).
1861 Second Edition of Ward’s Ocean Marine Telegraph, Illustrated.
By William Henry Ward, 7, Sackville Street, Piccadilly. London: Published by the Author, January 1861
original at Bodleian (231.e.46)
pp5-8 Instructions for using the "Lights" for Night Signals

This system is so well adapted for spelling, taht good operators would prefer it to code-books for maintaining continuous communications.

The following Tables will serve to illustrate the indications, without reference to the Plates — and should be committed to memory...

followed by pages (including unscanned plates) on the fog signals and their use.
followed by title page reading :
Seventh Edition of Ward’s International Prize-Medal Signal Telegraph. Illustrated. / London: W. H. Ward, 24, Union Square, N., and Auburn, New York, United States... 1863), followed by plates 1-3 of Ward’s Night Signals (employing 7 lantern positions), followed by pages devoted to Ward’s Bullet Machine, Shell Moulding Machine, and Self-Centering Railway Turn-Table.
1864 Universal Code of Signals
For The Merchant Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a selection of sentences adapted for convoys, and systems of geometrical, night, & fog signals.
By G. B. Richardson. London: Richardson & Compy., 1864
original at Bodleian
The Code consists of Six Parts:— 1. A list of English Men of War. 2. A List of Foreign Men of War. 3. A List of Merchant Ships of all Nations. 4. A List of Lighthouses, Ports, Headlands, Rocks, Shoals, Reefs, &c. 5. A Collection of Sentences. 6. The Vocabulary.
1866 Universal Code of Signals
For The Merchant Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a selection of sentences adapted for convoys, and systems of geometrical, night, & fog signals.
By G. B. Richardson. London: Richardson & Compy., 1866
original at Bodleian (231.h.7)
1866 Code Universel de Signaux
Code Universel de Signaux. À l’usage Des Navires du Commerce de Toutes les Nations, de Frederic Marryat, Capitaine de Vaisseau de la Marine Anglaise; aven une Liste de Yachts, et un Recueil de Phrases à L’Usage des Convois, et des systèmes de Signaux Geometriques, de Nuit, et de Brume.
Par G. B. Richardson. London: Richardson & Cie., 1866
original at Bodleian (231.h.8)
1866 International Day, Night, and Fog Signal Telegraph (first edition — although Google Books overview identifies it as 2nd edition)
TWith all the chief sea port towns, places, islands, seas, and rivers of the world, alphabetically abbreviated in dictionary order, likewise many useful nautical sentences, etc.
William Henry Ward. London: 75, Hatton Garden, 1866
original at Bodleian (231.h.4)

general abbreviations pp 19-34, including these —
B,O,S, — Boston, Mas. U.S.
B,O,U, — Boulogne, France.
B,P, — Be Punctual.
B,Q, — Be Quiet.
B,Q,I, — Be Quick.
B,R, — British.
B,R,&, — British and Irish Steam Packet Company’s Steamer No. ——
B,R,A, — Brazil.
B,R,E, — Bremen, Holland.
B,R,G, — Brig.
B,R,I, — Bristol, England.
B,R,K, — Broke.
B,R,O, — Broken.
B,R,T, — Brest, France.
B,S, — Be Steady.
B,T, — Be Taken.
B,U. — Be Urgent.
B,U,A, — Buenos Ayres, S.A.
B,U,O, — Buoy.
B,U,O,A, — Buoy, or otherwise mark the place.

The system is a kind of stenographic shorthand, whose abbreviations are comparable to the telegraph code, or to mnemonic systems.

pp 35-36 discuss the system of which which the book is a part, along with signal flags, lantern, etc.

...But do not allow yourself to be perusaded that eighty shillings—equal to one hundred francs or twenty dollars—is the price for this little book, as a book. Not so, the price affixed is for the system. The book, as a book, is not considered, and will not be in the book trade as a book only to be had of the author, who will affix the number and his signature to the bottom of the TABLE, which will be authority for the holder or purchaser thereof, to use book and SYSTEM.
The producer of the foregoing is the author of a work on THEOLOGY, entitled THE TREE OF LIFE IN THE PARADISE OF GOD. It being a key to the deep things of the Bible, corresponding with the foregoing on signal telegraphy; and is worthy the attention of all who love their bibles...
Ward is further described as the inventor and/or patentee of a self regulating bomb-shell fuze, a bullet compressing machine, and the cheapest, and easiest turning Railway Turn Table heretofore offered...
For further information, or for any of the foregoing articles—please communicate with their author, W. H. Ward, 75, Hatton Harden, LONDON, whose terms are exclusively CASH.
1866 International Day, Night, and Fog Signal Telegraph (second edition)
William Henry Ward. Second Edition of the International Day, Night, and Fog Signal Telegraph, with all the chief sea port towns, places, islands, seas, and rivers of the world, alphabetically abbreviated in dictionary order, likewise many useful nautical sentences, etc.
London: 75, Hatton Garden, 1866
original at Bodleian (231.h.5)
32 pages, most given to promotional language and instructions in use; the abbreviations are in pp 17-32.
With reference to things in general, and new in particular,—first, Is it good?—Second, Will it advantage matters to use it—Third, If used—will it pay?—To all these questions this new system answers YES—at a much less cost in addition—as by it all signal flags and codes are dispensed with. Do you enquire how? The answer will be found by a careful perusal of what follows..."
1869 Universal Code of Signals
For The Mercantile Marine of All Nations, by the late Captain Marryat, R.N., with a list of yachts, and a selection of sentences adapted for convoys, and systems of geometrical, night, & fog signals.
By G. B. Richardson. London: Richardson & Compy., 1869
original at Bodleian (231.h.10)
introduces a "fourth distinguishing pendant," and a correct List of Yachts; other changes include "additional words and sentences inserted in Part V."
other primary sources
1824 Histoire de la Télégraphie
Ignace Urbain Jean Chappe. Paris: chez l’Auteur, 1824
transcription of Table of Contents
two scans are accessible, from Michigan and the Bodleian, respectively :
scan 1 : Michigan copy
Histoire de la Télégraphie
This copy contains the plates, which are not always found bound with the text. Naturally, the scans do not capture the line detail of the original. There is no index to the plates, which are referred to in the body of the text.

scan 2 : Bodleian copy
Histoire de la Télégraphie
This scan misses page 262; this copy excludes the 34 plates.
1863 A Handbook of Practical Telegraphy
Published with the sanction of the Chairman and Directors of the Electric and International Telegraph Company. Illustrated with Numerous Diagrams.
Robert Spelman Culley. London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green. 1863
original at Bodleian
Preface (vii); Introduction (1); Part 1, Sources of electricity (batteries) (4); Part 2, Magnetism, and the connection between magnetism and electricity (26); Part 3, Resistance and the laws of the current (43); The earth as part of a circuit (54); Part 4, Insulation (59); Part 5, Induction (83); Atmospheric electricity (93); Earth currents or deflections (94); Part 6, Testing for insulation or resistance (96); Part 7, Faults, and the methods of discovering them (103); Part 8, Signal apparatus:— Switches, commutators, or turnplates (126); Printing telegraphs (130); Cooke and Wheatstone’s needle telegraph (146); Part 9, Construction of a line (155); Part 10, The strain and dip of suspended wires (168); Appendix and notes (173); Index (189).
Visible Speech Telegraphy
in
Alexander Melville Bell. Visible Speech : The Science of Universal Alphabetics; or Self-Interpreting Physiological Letters, for the Writing of All Languages in One Alphabet, illustrated by Tables, Diagrams, and Examples.
London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co, 1867
original at Bodleian
pp 101-103
Oakum Pickings
A Collection of Stories, Sketches, and Paragraphs contributed from time to time to the telegraphic and general press, by John Oakum, "A Snapper-Up of Unconsidered Trifles"
(Walter Polk Phillips)
New York: W. J. Johnston, Publisher, 1876
original at NYPL
Love and Lightning (7); Old Jim Lawless (11); Thomas Johnson (16); Little Tip McClosky (21); Stage Coaching (28); Posie Van Duzen (41); Block Island (51); Bad Medicine (57); The Bloodless Onslaught (64); Cap. De Costa (68); Uncle Daniel (75); Summer Recreation (83); The Blue and the Gray (87); An Autumn Episode (91); An Old Man’s Exegesis (99); Departed Days (106); Minor Paragraphs (119-176)
Telegraphic Tales and Telegraphic History
A Popular Account of the Electric Telegraph—its Uses, Extent and Outgrowths
W. J. Johnston
New York: W. J. Johnston, Publisher, 1880
original at Michigan
An expansion of the same author’s Lightning Flashes and Electric Dashes: A Volume of Choice Telegraphic Literature, Humor, Fun, Wit & Wisdom. New York: W. J. Johnston, Publisher, 1877
Passages on codes transcribed here.
Signaux Télégraphiques
Signaux Télégraphiques adaptés au nouveau langage convenue, classification des signes, etc.
James Nicolson, 1903
original at Michigan

Proposes a novel system of consonant-vowel pair code-words, each letter-pair given a single Morse-like elementary signal set. Nicolson writes, in 1897:
Uncommon words, or words not generally employed in ordinary parlance, are, for evident reasons, generally used in the formation of telegraphic codes. Our codes provide this requisite, and combined with two alternate series of signals, of odd and even numbers of elementary motions, will prove more intelligible to the telegraph operator than promiscuous signals of from one to five motions, representing the letters of the Official Vocabulary, the words of which are, for the most part, unintelligible to him.

author of —

Telegraphic Signals and International Code Vocabularies, with a suggested reclassification of conventional telegraph signals, etc.
(1897)

Telegraphic Vocabularies adapted to Telegraphic Signals.
Whittaker & Co.: London and New York; Robert Grant & Co.: Buenos Aires [printed], 1902-1903

Nicolson’s Consono-Vowel Vocabulary for Telegrams in Preconcerted Language. I.— Part I.
(1904)

It will be apparent that this System, far from interfering with the phraseology of existing code books, will afford an important economy in the transmission of the same.

000000 EBEBEBEN
000001 EBEBEBOP
000002 EBEBEBUV
000003 EBEBECEP
000004 EBEBECOV >

004196 ECELUPEZ
004197 ECELUPOB
004198 ECELUPUC
004199 ECELUVEB

Nicolson’s Consono-Vowel Condensor C. for Telegrams in Preconcerted Language (1904)
Signals and Instructions
Signals and Instructions, 1776-1794: with addenda to vol. xxiv
Julian S. Corbett, ed. Navy Records Society, 1908

Entries in tabular index at left lead to further details for each code — lower down on this very long page — and onward links to external sites (Google Books, &c.). The categories here are:

telegraphic codes,
signal codes, and
related primary material

top of this page

First Word	Day’s receipts
Second Word	Price of Good Ordinary	Mobile Classification
Third Word	Price of Low Middling	Mobile Classification
Fourth Word	Price of Middling	Mobile Classification
Fifth Word	Freight to Liverpool
Sixth Word	Market Report

US 1,570,178	1926	F. Prevost	Code Machine
US 1,598,437	1926	K. S. Guiterman	Coding Device
US 1,749,933	1930	H. R. Barnett	Apparatus for selective verbatim coding and decoding

Abrogate.	In case you cannot fill order, telegraph at once.
Anticipate.	Answer at onoe, stating whether you can or cannot fill order.
Ambition.	If you can only partially fill order, do so, and reply, stating what.
Ambulance.	Want all of order filled or none, and prompt answer back.
Admiral.	Order must be sent on train mentioned only.
Adjacent.	If cannot send on train mentioned next one will do.
Affection.	Fill if possible, even at extra expense.
Affable.	Send prepaid by baggage master, if no express messenger on train.
Ancestor.	This order is in addition to my regular order.
Admission.	This order is a substitute for my regular order.
Decorate.	If cannot send all on train mentioned, send all you can, and send balance on next train.
Dancing.	If cannot fill exactly as specified, you may substitute according to your best judgment.
Durable.	These flowers are for funeral purposes and colored flowers must not be substituted for white.
Fabricate.	Flowers ordered are to be reshipped to a distance, therefore buds must be cut specially close.
Fortunate.	Select extra stock and charge accordingly.
Devotion.	For cheap work, and can use second-class flowers if at reduced price.
Flattery.	If price has advanced since last quotation do not send goods, but telegraph.
Forgery.	This order countermands all previous orders.
Fandango.	This order to be duplicated daily till further notice.
Formation.	Add these items to the order which you already have, but in case first order is already shipped, cancel this addition.
Flamingo.	We are In a bad pinch; send us something to help us out, even If of poor quality.
Flocking.	Have sent mail order; if not yet received, send following at once, and cancel mail order when received.
Foraging.	This order includes all items previously ordered and wanted for this date.

Phrase.		Code Word.
Wanted at this office on a charge of	Murder	Capital.
	Manslaughter	Abhor.
	Burglary	Burgle.
	Shopbreaking	Balmy.
	Housebreaking	Banana.
	Horse-stealing	Bridle.
	Larceny	Beagle.
	Fraud	Combat.
	Stealing from the person	Cupola.
	Embezzlement	Curdle.
	Receiving stolen goods	Cymbal.
	Forgery	Digit.
	Perjury	Diploma.
	Highway robbery	Dirge.
	Criminal assault	Disarm.
	Shooting and wounding	Disgorge.
	Unlawfully wounding	Dismay.
	Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	Embroil.
	&c.

Subject	pages
Instructions relating to the Filing of Applications, etc.	1-8
Instructions relating to the Amendment of Applications, etc.	9-16
Instructions relating to Appeals in the case of Applications being Rejected	17-24
Instructions relating to the Payment of Annuities and the Working of Patents	25-32
Instructions relating to Withdrawal of Applications and Extension of Time	33-40
Instructions relating to the forwarding of Papers, etc.	41-48*
State of the Case	89-96**
Assignments of Patents; Copies of Patents and Applications (Papers); Requests for Certificates of Filing and Annuity Receipts	97-104
Inquiries relating to Applications for, Granting of, and Validity of Patents, Costs of Applications, Annuities and Working	105-112
Dates	113-115
Time	116
Special dates for Filing	117
Dates at which Annuity due / Working due	118
Action where case rejected	119
Dates of Granting / Issue	120
Forwarding of papers, Remittances, etc.	121-122
Correspondence	123
Telegrams sent and received	124
Sales of Patents	125-126
Assignments	127
Costs	128

00001	Kabache	Abandon
00002	Kabakos	Abandon for the present
00003	Kabasdah	Abandon the whole thing
00004	Kabasjes	Abandoned on account of

9	Clypeolet	Commodity rate(s) governed by — classification
10	Clysmian	Emigrant movables as per — classification
11	Coachbell	Estimated weight as per — classification
12	Coachbox	Exception sheet to the — classification
13	Coachdog	Governed by — classification
14	Coached	How do you classify?
15	Coachful	How shall I classify?
16	Coachlet	I understand proper classification to be

Frolic	Cut all you can
Lantern	If we can
Latin	If we cannot
Linger	In addition to
Liquid	In box cars
Lizard	In flat cars
Minister	Let us have
Miser	Let us know
Mission	Let us know when
Mister	Let us know where
Monkey	Load last
Monstrous	Load next
Motto	Make a price
Mumble	May be cut in multiples

Terminations
	One	Three	Six	1 doz.
Regular size	ARYCE	ASATA	ASEDO	ADSEZA
10 c.c.	ENEWE	ENEYU	ENEZA	ENGRA
25 c.c.	ENOBA	ENOGU	ENRIO	ENTAO
50 c.c.	ENYHA	ENYMO	EPAVA	EPESO

I	THE GREAT CODE OF SENTENCES, expressed by Pair Signals		xv
		PREPARATORY SIGNAL	xvii
		Introduction	xviii
		SIGNAL TABLE	xxii, xxiii
		Explanation of the Code	xxv
		Contents of each Chapter	xxviii
		Communicating Sentences	1 to 76
		COMPOUND TABLE	79 to 123
		Alphabetical INDEX to Sentences	171 to 174
II	SELECTED SIGNALS, being certain Signals set apart for some of the most important sentences, required to be communicated with as little loss of time as possible		125
III	THE LESSER CODE OF SENTENCES, expressed by Pair Signals, for the use of vessels not provided with the number of flags required for using the greater Code		127
		Introductory Remarks	128
		SIGNAL TABLE	130, 131
		Contents of each Chapter	134
		Communicating Sentences	135
		COMPOUND TABLE	147
IV	SIGNALS to be used by PILOTS to vessels in distress, when it blows so hard that they cannot be boarded		152
V	SIGNALS to be used by Vessels having lost their Masts, or for Wrecks		158
VI	NIGHT SIGNALS		163

telegraphic and signal codesannotated directory of scans, transcriptions

telegraphic codes

signal codes

other primary sources

telegraphic codes

signal codes

other primary sources

telegraphic and signal codes
annotated directory of scans, transcriptions