Original 1937 A J. Morse Diving Catalog-Dive Helmets

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ORIGINAL
1937
ANDREW J. MORSE
DIVING APPARATUS CATALOG

>Overall Dimension 8″ X 10″
Spiral Binding
Pages 51                                                Copyright
1937
Markings See below
Condition Good See below
Presented
is an example of the original A.J. Morse diving equipment catalog which was issued in 1937 in celebration of the company’s
100th Anniversary. It uses the original type spiral type binding, cover stock, and includes the expensive engravings
of the true original version.  So don’t be confuesd by the 1837 cover date and the inclusion on page 21 of the
Navy MK V dive helmet which was first introduced in 1916. The inside cover is stamped with the corporate name of MORSE
DIVING EQUIPMENT CO. INC. which did not come into existence until 1940 to further clarify this as a Centennial catalog.
There are
many reprints of the 1937/1837 catalog that were re-issued by Morse with this reddish color card stock, but they were stapled
together rather than having a spiral binding and the images were photocopied rather than engraved making them easy to identity
as second generation reprints. However, this one is a fooler and is an 1837 original in all respects except for the stamps
on the inside front cover and the inclusion of a MK V helmet in the product line. If you own an original Morse
1837 catalog or are thinking of buying one, make sure to inspect page 21 to see if there is a Navy MK V helmet in the product
line.We think the expediency
of WW II may have caused Morse to use the old printer’s plates modified in whatever small way to provide a catalog for
distribution with War Clouds on the horizon. Therefore,
this example makes an interesting addition to those who are interested in WW II and in Morse diving history making itc highly
collectable!The 1837 catalog was
issued celebrating the company’s first 100 years of operation and is titled,
DIVING APPARATUS, ESTABLISHED 1837, ANDREW J. MORSE 7 SON, INC. BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A. in three blocks of print with
a line drawing of a Morse Commercial dive helmet to the left.Inside front cover of Morse 1837 catalogThe catalog includes
prices and detailed descriptions, categorized in sections on Air Pumps with their associated complete Diving Outfits;
Pump fittings; Diving Helmets; Fittings for Diving Helmets; Telephones for Commercial Use; Electric Lamps; Diving Weights;
Diving Dress (Suits); Gloves; Miscellaneous Fittings; Diving Shoes; and Information for Divers; Table of weights for shipment;
Decompression tables and lastly an Index on page 51.Close-up showing the quality
of the numerous engravings CATALOG’S
MARKINGS: The front
page is stamped by MORSE DIVING EQUIPMENT CO. INC. 470 ATLANTIC AVENUE, BOSTON, MASS. SUCCESSORS TO: This suggests that this
catalog was re-issued by Morse after 1940. And added in pen, Prices do not applyPages 20 and 21 are devoted to the entire
line of helmets.Note the Navy MK V introduced in 1916 CONDITION:
This catalog was owned by a commercial diver and carried with him to jobs. Consequently, there is some minor
water damage where a number of pages were stuck together near the binding. The worst of this is pages 48 and 49 where
clear tape was added and is pictured below. All the pages are secure in their spiral binding. All of the pages
may have yellowed with age. There are the handling marks and some spots thoroughout.          Page
48 and 49 are the worse damaged by far of all the pagesBRIEF HISTORY OF MORSE DIVING: In the
arena of deep sea diving, there are few companies with the longevity and history of Morse Diving. The company was founded
in 1837 as a Boston maker of brass ware, three years before Englishman Augustus Siebe manufactured its first closed air dive
helmet. During the Civil War, the firm commenced building maritime fittings and began experimenting with early underwater
hardhat designs from Siebe-Gorman and other pioneering makers. In 1864, Andrew Morse bough
t out his partner, introduced his
sons into the business, and began to focus on creating new products for underwater salvage expeditions. In 1904, that firm
became A. J. Morse and Sons, Inc., under which name it continued until 1940. Then the name Morse was re-incorporated as Morse
Diving Equipment Company, Inc. Finally in 1998, the company changed owners, and became Morse Diving Inc. under the leadership
of Ken & Donna Downey.

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