Roycroft hammered copper candlestick telephone

[Russ Kirk]

I ran across this auction. At first I thought this was way over priced, but after searching it looks like it is old and may be collectable.

Am I off or worth the $5000 in the auction?


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/64909944_extremely-rare-roycroft-antique-hammered-copper

[Doug Rose]

Russ....with the limited pictures looks like a WE 20-B or similar set on a Different base. Base is cool but does it make a $125 stick worth 5K plus 20%? Just my opinion, but I would rather have the stick with the correct base....Doug

[rdelius]

Anything Roycroft is expensive.I saw a Roycroft stick at a telephone show many years ago. These are rare

[paul-f]

Anything Roycroft is expensive.I saw a Roycroft stick at a telephone show many years ago. These are rare

How true!

These were produced beginning in the early teens - some over 100 years ago.

A January 1988 Singing Wires article provides a collector's view of the phone's history. Some have been offered for sale in SW for as much as $6,500.
There are probably several other articles in the archives. 

Other Roycroft info is readily available using an internet search for "Roycroft Telephone."

     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roycroft

[Doug Rose]

The only thing I see Roycroft is the base....rest of the stick iis a WE?...Doug

[HarrySmith]

In looking up Roycroft I found it was an entire community in upstate NY. They started with printing, then leather work such as book binding, metal work with a copper shop and finally furniture. The founder & his wife died on the Lusitania and his son took over but did not do well. I think Greg may be right about WE parts. It appears they did not manufacture phones, just dressed them up. The community is now a historical site and some buildings have been restored. Check out the Wiki articel Paul linked, interesting stuff.

[Russ Kirk]

Walt Aydelotte has his Roycroft highlighted on the Collectors Weekly web site.

http://www.telephonearchive.com/phones/sticks/roycroft.html