The predecessor was formed in 1851 as New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company of Rochester, adopting Western Union Telegraph in 1856. Rosanoski names Ezra Cornell in its formation. A merger into Western Union Corporation on 30 December 1987 avoided bankruptcy.
Western Union acquired a majority of International Ocean Telegraph in 1873 and the remainder in 1957. It acquired Mexican Telegraph in 1927, retaining it until nationalisation. Postal Telegraph was absorbed in 1945 on condition that international operations be divested, achieved in 1963 through Western Union International. The principal vessel is listed under British Western Union, with Western Union recorded as the last vessel for 1939–1974.
U.K., London, and USA, New York.
Keep the explicit scope label independent; no alias or company identity is inferred.