Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Collector's Corner => Topic started by: Bill Cahill on December 11, 2008, 12:23:28 PM

Title: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 11, 2008, 12:23:28 PM
;D

My mid 60's yellow WE wall phone arrived by snail mail this morning. It was a kind gift from a friend. Without his permission, I cannot say who. I'll post picture of it later today. I'm getting over the flu now, and, feel weak.
Case appears to be pretty decent.
Needs innor cleaning, and, oiling. No biggy.
This phone is like the kitchen wall phone my mother had in the mid 60's. I'll be putting it in my kitchen. Color matches perfectly with my early 50's oval yellow kitchen table with steel legs.
Oh, by the way. Though colors are un matched, I also have the following kitchen items.
Late 40's white single stoop foot stool. Rubber matt on top, and, rubber bottoms on feet.
Have a late 40's red and white 3 shelf cart on casters.
Late 40's red and, white slightly padded stool with attatched foot stool.
Also  have an early 50's two slice toaster,
And, an exact replacement  electric mixer like my mother's from late 40's. It comes with the stand, beaters,  extra attachments, including a juicer, and, two white mixing bowls.
My house is a late 50's house with few physical updates.
I will be setting up kitchen as a 50's kitchen..
Bill Cahill  ;D
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: HobieSport on December 11, 2008, 12:52:19 PM
That's cool, Bill!  I'm getting a 1954 Roadmaster travel trailer, in a very 1950s aqua color and mostly original honey-colored birch interior. In fact the trailer was my inspiration that got me interested in the phones and radios, as well as some other period pieces, like the Henry Dreyfuss designed clocks, etc..

http://www.birchwoodbeauties.com/pages/54roadmaster.html

I hope you can post pictures of your completed 1950s kitchen sometime. I remember some great displays at the Oakland Caif Museum, of kitchens of each decade.  The display of the 1940s kitchen made my Dad say "Wow!  That was our kitchen!".

Oh, and...get well soon, Bill!
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: JimH on December 11, 2008, 03:35:18 PM
Wow, Hobie, those are really cool trailers.   Growing up we had a 1961 Trotwood we took all over the place.  One of those Birchwoods reminds me of the "New Moon" in "The Long, Long Trailer".
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 12, 2008, 04:46:46 PM
Well, I've finally got the pictures of it. I haven't done any cleaning, yet. I'm a little dissappointed, as it's a 1978 model with parts from 1974 in it, but, still, it looks well made. The same quality parts as the earlier ones. Big difference is to accommodate the modular plug on the back of the phone they took the main chassis, and, mounted it on an outside sub-chassis with the modular plug.
Also, the bright yellow plastic case isn't painted. That's the real thing.
Case is earlier, as the half round hole on the bottom middle front is still there for the line wire.

The reason I'm dissappointed is I was going to use it in my 50's kitchen. Ah, but, that's alright.... I'll use it in my dining room, which is more eclectic. Much better match there, and, will look great in there.
So, mostly positive....
Well worth saving, in my book.
Bill Cahill  ;D
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Dennis Markham on December 12, 2008, 05:15:49 PM
Bill, I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the chassis.  It looks like it has a modular back plate that was added to allow the phones to be hung onto a standard wall plate.  Maybe you could post a photo of the back.  I noticed the 313 dial card which at one time was all of southeast Michigan---now it is just theCity of Detroit.  The phone sticker indicates it was in Allen Park which is a suburban community south and west of Detroit---typically called "Downriver".

That phone looks like it should clean up nicely.

Dennis
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 12, 2008, 05:31:28 PM
Sorry. I don't know all the terms for phones. In the radio business, we'd call that a sub chassis.
Yes, I agree with you, but, the modular plug is also back there.
Would it be wrong to modify this phone for external wiring?
Not sure Detroit is 313 any more, either. I have a friend in Warren, which is suburb to Det., and, his are code is 586.
My folks' old area code was 313.
In fact, our late 50's no, which no longer exists was
Lakeview 1-5783.
The old tv shop no before Michigan Bell made us change to all numbers was Lakeview 7-3322.
After the change it became 527-3322.
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Dennis Markham on December 12, 2008, 05:44:59 PM
Bill, it would not be difficult to remove that sub-chassis and install a line cord.  I'd be happy to help you with that when you're ready.  We can communicate via e-mail.

Warren is in the 586 area code (in Macomb Co).  Pretty much just the City proper of Detroit is still 313.

For anyone interested in a list of all the area codes check here:

http://www.bennetyee.org/ucsd-pages/area.html
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 12, 2008, 06:20:12 PM
Thankds, much...
Hmm. I think I said something not quite right. My dissappointment isn't with the phone. Merely that it is later than my original planned spot....
However, I feel it should do great in the other room, and, still seems to have  the old WE quality to it....
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: McHeath on December 12, 2008, 10:30:57 PM
You've got a really cool deal with your time period kitchen.  Post a pic or two, enquiring minds would like to see it.  Sorry this 554 is not quite as early as would fit your needs, but it's a nice enough phone overall.

Our kitchen is mostly 1966, and all the maple paneling is intact, wood floor, maple plywood cabinets, and some of the original tile counters, it feels a little older than it is, more like a late 50's kitchen.  Sadly all the original appliances were removed in the early 90s, which is a shame, as well as the original UFO style reel mount light fixtures.  One of the UFO reel mount lights was in the garage in a box when I moved in, and in a moment of pure utter stupidity I threw it away right after I moved in.  Makes me sick whenever I think about it. 
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 12, 2008, 11:38:35 PM
When I have it cleaner, I will take some pictures of my kitchen.
Wall paper, cabinets, and, sink are original to house.
So is the light above the original sinks.
I had to replace original rusted out refrigerator, and, burned out GE Electric cook top range. It used push buttons, and, the push buttons were burned out, along with three of the burners.
Oven is original.
It still works.
Some of the cupboards need major repair work, which I want to have done. I'm staying with the original. Formica counter tops have seen better days.
The house was rental property before I bought it, so, had some neglect.
I'm on a tight budget, so repairs are very slow. I had to put a new roof on the house five years ago.
The house was kind of sad when I bought it.
It's better in some ways than when I bought it.
It's a concrete brick home built in 1959.
Has an attached garage.
Some time ago someone had removed a bearing wall between the living room, and, dining room, and, had to add support to keep the roof up.
The plumbing is mostly good after quite a few repairs, and, wiring, while outdated, did get some up dating, and, I've been installing grounded outlets.
Kitchen cupboards are wood.
Both bathrooms have mostly original fixtures.
One bathroom in main house is blue interior. One off master bedroom has pink interior.
I bought this house as is, as that is the only way I could swing buying the place.
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Dan/Panther on December 13, 2008, 01:13:00 AM
I don't think it would be to hard to figure out which bathroom you use, would it now ??? ::) ;D :D
D/P
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: HobieSport on December 13, 2008, 01:48:23 AM
Bill, speaking of buying an older home "as is" in order to afford it, ours was built right after WWII, all knotty pine interior.  The toilet was actually falling through the floor.  ::)
At least it's easy to find the correct period telephones...WE302s of course. :)
But I do know the feeling of how slow it can be to fix the old places up; you start on one part of the house, work your way through, then go back and start at the beginning again... :P
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: McHeath on December 13, 2008, 11:54:51 AM
Yeah an older house is an eternal project, even one as "new" as my 1966 ranch style house.  My wood shake roof keeps staring at me, daring me to try to afford to replace it.  And the old galvanized steel plumbing is starting to send a lot of rust out with the water, we all know where that leads to.  (hint, uber $$$ down the drain) 


Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 13, 2008, 01:43:59 PM
Geez. Most of my plumbing is copper.
They should NEVER have used galvinized pipes for plumbing!!
They knew better than that......
Yeh, my floors are a mess, as I said, one kitchen cupboard needs major repairs, One hanging cupboard needs interior work,
I've done some wiring, and, plumbing work,
New roof five years ago. Never ending.....
I turn around, and, great. Here's a new problem...
Or, one of the old ones acts up again......
Especially the plumbing.....

;lol;
Well, I guess we've gotten off subject here, but, I love this old house. The only one I wish I had more was my parent's house, and, sadly, someone tore the place down ten years ago.

Having all my "junk" toyz in here sure don't make it any easier to work on the place....
Did I ever tell you guys I have 45 antique tv's,
25 antique, and, vintage radios, 37 antique record players, 15 antique wind up phonographs,  about  500 cylinder records, 50 16" transcription discs, 6,000 78's, 2,000 45's, 1,000 lp's  4 wire recorders, furniture, a modern tv, which is a 6 year old 23" color tv, and, a ton of parts????
Oh. To keep it telephone related, I have 8 vintage telephones, 3 modern phones, and, some phone parts?????
There. See? We're still talking phones here..... ;lol;
Oh, oh. I forgot.
I'm waiting for a friend to deliver two more antique tv's from Michigan when he comes on his next business trip to Florida......
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Bill Cahill on December 13, 2008, 01:54:27 PM
Hey, Dan, I use the BLUE bathroom!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Sargeguy on December 13, 2008, 10:43:05 PM
Wow I'm jealous, at least you guys can find the parts to fix up your house.  I just stand and stare at the  plumbing/electrical/flooring/painting aisle trying to figure out what can be done. I don't even talk to the guys at Home Depot or Lowe's because it's just a waste of time.  I get bored trying to explain how no paint they carry will adhere to my glazed plaster ceilings for more than three years, not even Killz.  Or that my porch is painted, not stained.  Or that the nipples on my lighting fixtures are 1/2"  not 3/8".  Or what an escutcheon nut is and that I don't want to wait around for them to figure out that they don't carry them.  That the 1.5 HP RotoZip will not cut through white oak.  That silicone caulk will not hold my porcelain towel rack in place.  That my pipes are brass, not copper.  You don't know how lucky you have it!!!
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Shovelhead on December 13, 2008, 10:59:37 PM
I just acquired one today also. Actually re-acquired it. See, this was the phone that my wife and I got from Mountain Bell when we were in our first apartment in New Mexico in November 79. It'S a Frankenphone, a 2/62 network,3/62 base,62 ringer, haven't got it apart to check dates on the dial. Modular adapter plate to base is dated 6/79, handset casting '69, changed to modular, components in handset dated 72 & 73.
I gave it to a friend as a extension about fifteen years ago, and since he no longer has a landline I got it back.
So after a stint as a garage phone, on to the cleanup! And it still has my old dial card in it, Area Code 505. That area is now 575. Hey, anybody got a long beige modular cord doing nothing you want to sell?
UPDATE, Dial is a '77, quite cheapened up construction IMO
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: Dennis Markham on December 14, 2008, 10:47:10 AM
Shovelhead, let me check my cord bin.  I may have one.  But beige is one of the few colors one can still find in stores like Radio Shack, K-Mart etc.  I remember finding coiled handset cords in beige and ivory, maybe black.  But let me look and I'll get back with you.

Dennis
Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: HobieSport on December 14, 2008, 02:02:59 PM
Quote from: Sargeguy
...That my pipes are brass, not copper.  You don't know how lucky you have it!!!

Sarge I guess I am pretty lucky going to the hardware store in our small town.  It's not like Lowes or Home Depot where you have to explain everything to the people who are supposed to be there helping you.  Here we still have the older guys at the hardware store who actually work on their own older homes.

Brass plumbing?  Including the hot and cold supply pipes?  Was that standard in the 1920s?

I don't know how to get paint to stick to your glazed ceiling.  I guess you'd have to know what it's actually glazed with to figure how to maybe get a chemical bond.  Have you tried prep-washing it first with TSP cleaner?  Sorry, I know; it's too easy to give advice...;)

Title: Re: My wall phone finally came!!!
Post by: bingster on December 14, 2008, 02:12:12 PM
Back in the 1920s, Anaconda Brass used to extoll the virtues of brass pipes in homes.  They had ads in all the old architectural and home magazines about them.  I've always wondered how many homes actually had them installed.  I guess we can count one!