The shape, size and functionality of the telephone has changed dramatically since Alexander Graham Bell first patented it in 1876. Perhaps it is the diversity of this invention through the decades that makes is so sought after by collectors.
Collectible phones come in many forms. Wall mount, push button, candlestick phones, desk sets and decorator and novelty phones are all collectible. Some are of modest value while others can fetch hundreds in the right setting. Here are a few to be on the lookout for as you visit the estate sales this spring.
Wooden wall mount phones first appeared in the late 1870s. Expensive to own and tricky to operate, you reached your party through use of an operator or by a series of short and long cranks of a handle, not unlike sending Morse Code. These phones hit their peak of popularity as a collectible in the mid-1990s and have since dramatically decreased in value. The most common models were made by Western Electric in 1919 and in the current market can often be found in the $80-$100 range.
The push button phone with touch tone dialing was first introduced in 1963 by Bell Telephone. The basic table top model with it’s boxy lines is a common find and should run you under $30. More popular with collectors are the curvaceous lines of the Genie and the streamline Princess model. Pink was the most popular color for the Princess, which is currently selling in the $80-$120 range.
Desk sets were first manufactured in 1920 and remain in production today. Found in plastic, metal and Bakelite they are very common and most are not of interest to serious collectors. Two notable exceptions are the streamline 1930s Masterphone series from Kellogg (both with and without dials) and the Deco-styled Redbar from the mid-1940s.
With their slender and elegant design, early candlestick phones, also referred to as an “upright,” were manufactured in limited number as a luxury item The older ones (1880-1910) are difficult to find and can be quite pricey. These will have no dial and be made of nickel-plated brass. Later models from 1920-1940 were mass-produced and are a more common and more affordable find.
With the resurgence in MCM and retro decorating, colorful phones from the mid-20th Century are seeing a growing audience of buyers. Knowing the years of issue of the different colors can help you in knowing the age of your phone. Color was first introduced in 1954 with the original colors being ivory, dark green, green, dark gray, red, brown beige, yellow and blue. Gray, blue, brown and beige were discontinued in 1957. In 1964 pink, light gray and turquoise were added to the color lineup. Pre-1955 colored phones will have a metal finger wheel, with newer models the wheel will be plastic. Currently phones from this era are bringing $30-$80.
Novelty phones have been with us since the 1960s. Mickey Mouse led the way followed shortly by Snoopy and Bugs Bunny. While popular from their onset they hit the peak of popularity in the 1980s when the market was flooded with movie and TV characters like The Incredible Hulk, Ghostbusters, Gumby, and the Keebler Elf. Other top sellers from the 80s include the clear phones from Radio Shack and Conair. the neon Lucite rotary phone from Kneider Electronics and the BIG number phones introduced by Webcor. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com.
