U.K. - Document - Official Supervisor Examination Certificate – London – Signed Wartime Telecommunications Document - 1918

Description

An exceptional and beautifully engraved original certificate issued by The Eastern Telegraph Company Limited, London, in April 1918, during the final year of the First World War.

This authentic document certifies that Mr. N. Bekiarelli (a traditional name in Zakynthos island) successfully passed the required examination in General and Electrical Knowledge, qualifying for the position of Supervisor (4th Grade Local Officer) within one of the world's most influential submarine telegraph networks.

The certificate represents an important piece of early telecommunications history, documenting the professional training and certification of personnel responsible for maintaining the British Empire's global communications infrastructure during a pivotal period of the First World War.

Historical Significance

Founded in the nineteenth century, The Eastern Telegraph Company became the largest submarine telegraph company in the world, operating an extensive network of undersea cables that connected Britain with Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia.

The elaborately engraved border proudly displays the coats of arms and corporate seals of the interconnected companies forming this global communications network, including:

The Eastern Telegraph Company Ltd.
The Eastern & South African Telegraph Co. Ltd.
The African Direct Telegraph Co. Ltd.
The West African Telegraph Co. Ltd.
The Europe & Azores Telegraph Co. Ltd.
The Western Telegraph Company Ltd.

These companies formed the backbone of international communications before the advent of radio and modern telecommunications.

Signatures

The certificate bears the original signatures of:

W. Hibberdine, Secretary / Traffic Manager of The Eastern Telegraph Company, who was later appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1919 for his wartime telecommunications services.
The General Examiner.
The Electrical Examiner.
Physical Description

The document is printed on high-quality paper with an exceptionally ornate engraved decorative border, incorporating allegorical motifs, corporate emblems, and official seals that reflect the prestige of one of Britain's most important communications enterprises.

Condition

Good antique condition.

The certificate displays natural age-related toning together with the original horizontal and vertical folding creases from historic storage.

Minor edge wear and handling marks are present, consistent with a document over one hundred years old.

The paper remains complete, with no significant tears or loss of text. All printed details and handwritten signatures remain clear and fully legible.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Lot Details
Object: Official examination certificate
Company: The Eastern Telegraph Company Limited
Recipient: N. Bekiarelli
Date: April 1918
Place of Issue: London, England
Language: English
Material: Paper
Dimensions: 31.5 × 26 cm
Signatures: W. Hibberdine, General Examiner, Electrical Examiner
Condition: Good antique condition