Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Post your "Find of the Month" here.

A "Find of the Month" is a telephone or a related item that you acquired during the month that you are particularly excited about either because of its rarity, the difficulty you had in trying to find it for your collection or the exceptional "deal" that you got on it.

The "Find of the Month" contest is focused on the collection of telephones rather than on their sale for a profit. To be eligible for the "Find of the Month" contest:

- The finder must have personally acquired and actually own the item.
- The item can be acquired for free but it can not be a gift or present from anyone.
- The item (or any of its components) cannot be put up for sale during the contest period.
- Only one "Find" per owner can be in a "Find of the Month" contest.


A Nomination Should Include:

1) where and/or how the item was found.
2) the price & shipping cost.
3) the forum link to the topic discussing the find.
4) the eBay link if won there.
5) and other information of importance about the find.
6) one or two pictures of the item.


Ideally your item would be posted in its own thread elsewhere on the forum such as "Auction Talk", "Flea Market/Yard Sale Finds" or "Collectors Corner" Board. Then you or anyone else can nominate your "Find" to the Current "Find of the Month" thread by posting at least one picture and other details including the price paid, any shipping costs and a link to the original discussion on the forum. It is not a requirement that your find be posted elsewhere on the forum but the more details the better.

Nominations of phones listed in other forum discussion topics, by members that do not own the item but realize it is indeed a "find" worthy of being nominated as a "Find of the Month" candidate, are always welcome.

Please pick your best "Find" to submit for the month limiting your entry to one phone or one "Find" that might include limited multiple items. If you have already entered for the month and come up with something even better either submit your new find indicating that it replaces your previous entry OR you can enter your new Find in next months contest.

To check out a list of all past winners including the Find of the YEAR winners, click here:
          --> Winner's List <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg67140#msg67140)

TelePlay has grabbed pictures of all of the "Find of the Month" winners since we started this back in 2010 and he has put them into albums on forum. Thanks John.  To check them out, click here:
           --> Photo Album <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg180376#msg180376)

Terry

Let's get this months Find of the Month started with Pourme's new (or refurbished) AE 880 Speakerphone in the hard to find color of Gardenia White. Well, not all that hard to find in white but they are usually mistaken for ivory due to the typical discolouration of the white plastic.

Here is the CRPF discussion about Pourme's Find:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=19361.0

$50 plus $22 shipping on eBay.

Terry

German Ivory Bakelite W49 Hagenuk Kiel Desk Telephone. Found on ebay. Seller had the make offer option. It was listed for $50, I offered $35, he countered $40 and I accepted. Plus postage. Excellent condition. There is a small crack on the nut of the finger wheel and a hairline crack on the number card frame. Nice Hagenuk Kiel sticker on the back.

I thought that said "Fuhrer" 112 on the fingerwheel but I misread it. The Fuhrer would probably be RNA "Ring No Answer" anyway.....

Nice phone!

Terry

I guess my little lot of 3 telephones are the only ones I will get in December, and I know some people loves the Cobra telephones
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19385.0;attach=174345;image)
so I hereby nominate my lot: https://goo.gl/KWNQi9 (https://goo.gl/KWNQi9)
about $ 48 for the 3 of them just picked up not far from home is a pretty good deal here.

The intercoms are not to common, and the green Cobra works like charm, I have cleaned it and adjusted the dial to 10.5 pps. And whats not so common for cobras; the sound is strong and clear! It buzz on incoming calls.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19385.0;attach=174393;image)(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19385.0;attach=174395;image)
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19385.0;attach=174397;image)(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19385.0;attach=174349;image)

dsk

dsk:

Any more info on the matched intercom set? Are they "common" phones with the dial replaced with the set of push buttons? Manufacturer?

We should determine whether you want to run the green EricoPhone or the Intercom pair in the contest. We try to avoid groupings as much as possible.

Everyone Else:

Any more Finds out there to add to the December "Find of the Month" contest? We're just around the corner from the "2017 Find of the YEAR" contest! John and the Elves have been working feverishly in the background preparing the annual contest so that it will be all set to go once the December 2017 contest winner has been determined.

Terry

The intercom set is made by Ericsson, Sweden. This is the matching pair, For me the table top intercom was worth it all, and the 2 wall intercom telephone, and the in good order Cobra was bonus for me.   for most collectors in a rotary forum, I guess the cobra with a rotary dial is the most valued.  If we split the 48 dollars i 3 we get $16 for each so if that is an option I guess a listing of the green cobra for $16 (or actually free since it was a bonus on my the phone I actually was looking for) would have chance to get some votes.

dsk

That is pretty much my thoughts exactly...the intercom set is likely the most interesting and difficult to find but the Ericofon is likely more interesting to the masses (if the 25-30 who usually vote each month can be called a mass!) So let's run the Ericofon in the contest at $16. You could list the desk or the matched set of intercoms next month at $16 or $32 as well.

Maybe there will be some "Finds" under the Christmas tree to add to December's Contest. This doesn't make them "free" though....we need a price or at least a reasonable guess what Santa paid for it on eBay or an accounting of approximate material and labour costs by Christmas Elves if manufactured at the North Pole.

Terry

Quote from: AE_Collector on December 22, 2017, 01:07:15 PM
... an accounting of approximate material and labour costs by Christmas Elves if manufactured at the North Pole.

Terry

You can argue with dsk if the Elfes are paid in Canadian dollar or Norsk Kroner, both have teritorial claims :)
But here is one point for Canada: Canada Post has assigned postal code H0H 0H0 to the North Pole (referring to Santa's traditional exclamation of "Ho ho ho!")

Haf

Yes I wasn't going to wade into the territorial battle!

The HO HO HO works well with our Postal Code System where it should really be H0H 0H0 (H's and Zeros) but close enough!

Speaking of the North Pole...

On a cruise ship in June 2014 at Spitsbergen, a territory(?) of Norway. The furthest North we have ever been and ironically the closest we would be to Canada on our Norwegian and Baltic Cruises that summer:

Terry

I'd like to nominate WEBellSystemChristian's recent eBay deal, a tenite Garnet Red AE 80 for $25 plus 9 in shipping. The listing/before images don't do the find justice but with a bit of elbow work by the magic man, Christian, this turned out to be a very nice phone for that price.

     http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=19460.0

And being the Christmas Season, a bit of red in the month seems to fit. It sure looks great after his restorative work . . .

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19460.0;attach=175334;image)

Thanks for the nomination, John! ;)

Since it's a light month, (and I know I have no chance of winning anyway...), here's another entry:

For your consideration:

The Northern Electric Centurion Rotary Payphone, purchased for $105 (+$35 shipping). With a matching brown handset, this semi-postpay phone dials out properly and rings when called.  Upon removal of the stylish brown cover (so that if the cover is damaged, it can be easily replaced), we find the bright orange coloured fortress, protecting the internal elements. Internally a completely modularized payphone, designed for years and years of use and ease of maintenance.

Please note, that I only offered (and paid) $105, although the list price was $110.

Thank you for your consideration!

Jim

     A discussion of the phone can be found at this link:  http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=19488.0

So now we have a Northern Electric Centurion to add to the:
Automatic Electric 880,
German W49 Hagenuk Kiel,
Ericsson Ericofon,
& Automatic Electric 80.

Someone's gonna find a WECo to submit before tomorrow night.

Terry

Quote from: AE_Collector on December 30, 2017, 01:42:06 PM
So now we have a Northern Electric Centurion to add to the:
Automatic Electric 880,
German W49 Hagenuk Kiel,
Ericsson Ericofon,
& Automatic Electric 80.

Someone's gonna find a WECo to submit before tomorrow night.

Terry

I'll make Terry Happy, I'll nominate my Controversial  ??OPW?? WE Hammered Silver 302. Can't beat the price of 79.99 delivered.  Over 2/3 off the list price that OPW sells them for.  This was expertly done, polished F1, new cloth cords. Quality refurb. Really a sharp looking phone. I know its painted, but all metal 302s were painted .....Doug

Quote from: Doug Rose on December 31, 2017, 08:24:32 AM
I'll make Terry Happy, I'll nominate my Controversial  ??OPW?? WE Hammered Silver 302. Can't beat the price of 79.99 delivered.  Over 2/3 off the list price that OPW sells them for.  This was expertly done, polished F1, new cloth cords. Quality refurb. Really a sharp looking phone. I know its painted, but all metal 302s were painted .....Doug

Here ya go, Doug...

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=19450.0

Thanks Christian...I knew I forgot something!  :o.....Doug

Okay, that's the end of 2017 so it is time to vote for Decembers Find of the Month. Six very nice competitors this month, almost wasn't a WECo in the crowd until the last minute but there is now.

Vote for your TWO fav's and let's see who earns the last spot in the "Find if the YEAR" competition coming soon to a Rotary Phone Forum near you.

Happy New Year everyone!

Terry

That's it for December 2017's Find of the Month. This was a good month for me an AE Fan but for there was something for everyone this month. I'm not going to mention the fact that AE cleaned up this month, that would be taking advantage of my position as Head Find of the Month Guru so
I will want to avoid that.

WEBellSystemChristian's early Garnet Red AE 80 takes December 2017's award as most coveted Find. Congratulations Christian! It was a close completion with Pourme's Gardenia White 880 Speakerphone coming in a close second. I'd take both of them but...oh wait a minute, I've already got one of each in those colours.

Once again Congratulations Christian on your FANTASTIC Garnet Red AE 80 and to Pourme as well on your LIKE NEW Gardenia White AE 880. And thanks to all of this months competitors for your deserving finds as well.

John will add Christians December Find to the Find of the YEAR 2018 topic and we will launch it soon.

Oh yes....Did anyone besides me notice how well Automatic Electric phones did this month??

To check out a list of all past winners including the Find of the YEAR winners, click here:  --> Winner's List <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg67140#msg67140)

TelePlay has grabbed pictures of all of the "Find of the Month" winners since we started this back in 2010 and he has put them into albums on forum. Thanks John.  To check them out, click here:   --> Photo Album <-- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.msg180376#msg180376)

Terry

AE held it's head high this month!

Congrats to Christian on your well deserved win, I love red phones and that Red AE80 is exceptional!

Thanks to everyone that voted for my AE880, I'm honored.

Looking forward to the find of the year vote!

Benny

Pourme: If you had a Garnet Red 880 Speakerphone, I guarantee you would have won!

Terry

Quote from: AE_Collector on January 06, 2018, 05:28:18 PM
Pourme: If you had a Garnet Red 880 Speakerphone, I guarantee you would have won!

Terry

I will work on that!

Wow, I can't believe I won!! I thought for sure that Benny's 880 would have taken first! All finds this month were great!

Keep looking for that Garnet Red 880, Benny. I know Terry will try to sell his soul to you to have one!

Quote from: Pourme on January 06, 2018, 05:43:27 PM
I will work on that!

I worked on it too but try not to think about it. Really my only bad experience on eBay. A red one was listed about 25 miles from me. Asked lots of questions and was assured it was solid red plastic, not painted. Told them I was still sceptical but I would buy it and pay for it, go pick it up soon and confirm then for certain if I would keep it or not. Got there, obviously it was painted, left it there and went to work on refund. Four years ago and still waiting for $235 refund.

Filed for refund with eBay/PayPal but...oh we're sorry, you're not eligible for a refund as you picked it up rather than had it shipped. WHAT? Actually the only picking up I did was on the desk it sat on at the antique dealer / eBay Seller. Somewhere on page 33 of some document that rule is written. Seller only had 97-98% good feedback then and over the next two years dropped to just over 90% good feedback. The whole time the red 880 continued to be listed by the seller on eBay.

Soon after I reopened the case pointing out all the buyer complaints against the seller but they just reiterated all the same stuff like I was to blame. Soon after this the eBay seller disappeared likely just starting up a new seller name to ditch their 90% positive feedback.

In retrospect I should have taken it with me even though painted but I really wasn't interested as it wasn't a particularly good job anyway and had paid a lot for it. I have never done all that much on eBay ever since then. The experience sort if ruined eBay and PayPal for me. I do look for every possible way to move money by Paypal Friends & Family cutting out any fees paid to them. I'm up several dollars now, only several hundred to go.

Terry

Unreal that EBAY would allow a injustice like that to go unsettled.

Congratulations, I  have to agree int the jury's final decisions.
It is no rules for how to vote, somebody has tried to to suggest some, and I am happy with not having rules for every thing. How can I be happy with these results? It matches my way making priority. For me value is not important, shipping is totally out of control so it dos cont for 0 so the priority is made in the order I would like to have one of these in my display/use.  Usually I like black telephones, probably because all telephones were black when I was a kid, but the red one is fascinating and could work on my desk, the loud-speaking telephone too, and as the third my own Ericofon.
The payphone, I may be slightly more interesting than the W49, only because of the challenge to get it working. The W 49 convertible just because it is convertible, and at last the metal 302, maybe the most durable and long lasting tabletop telephone ever made for non-military use, did I have it and wanted to keep it, then I would probably painted it black.   8)


dsk

Dag....I agree. I look at what is shown for FOM and what I would place in my collection. My choice is always what I would want.  I am wrong most of the time on what I vote for, but it is what I would I want, not what is the "popular" choice. Good fun for all members, although I am surprised that more do not vote. One change I would have, is vote for only one phone, which is what I do......Doug

I must admit...one of my votes went to Christian's AE80....

Benny

Six very nice telephones to wind up the year with, a great variety and each one a fine example of why we are all here and collecting old junk telephones. CRAP in Jim S lingo....Communications Related Apparatus & Phones.

Two iconic European phones made it this month as well, I don't have to point out how hard European phones have to work to get some votes from primarily North American voters. Unjustified for certain but simply reality considering the membership balance in CRPF. We are so lucky on the forum to have a good number of regular contributors who don't live in North America. This goes a long way to broaden our views to all types of equipment.

When we started playing with multiple votes per person it was done to offset the fact that quite often competitions of 5 to 10 phones with only 20-30 regular voters using 1 vote each led to some multiple ties between phones and the tied leaders might only have 4, 5 or 6 votes each. Run-offs usually revealed the winner but I hate having to pick who is axed and who moves on to round two. I've noticed surprising results in run-offs, seldom ending with the result that I might have expected. I too would prefer a single vote and I quickly learned that too many votes per person scares voters away! If we always had 50 to 60 voters, even with up to ten Finds to choose from I think a single vote would always work.

Terry

I also realized that, for the first time that I can think of, he have an equal number of United States finds and non-US finds (three American; one Canadian, one German, and one Swedish). US finds usually always outweigh non-US.

I guess it is good reasons for those arguments. The USA is much more United than the EU, and Norway is outside EU, in some ways we are maybe closer to the USA, even when the president say USA first.
When we look at telephone design, the history in Europe is so different, and the priorities made was based on other needs, nationalism, the idea of not using separate receivers and transmitters, not using subsets, no priority of lo load ringers, no need for bias springs, at least 3 different dial number-rings. Germany with surroundings used 60V ringers, most others 90V.  different dial tones. UK had their own ring cadence. By some reason many European telephones used a circuit where considerable part of the current was bypassed the transmitter. The transmitters were often more noisy than in the USA. The balance between send and receive voice signals was different.  Both design and circuits was often copied, and the development of new circuits was left to the Siemens, (who by my opinion just did slightly adjustments from  1928 to 1960-something) and to Ericsson (with associated companies as the Norwegian Elektrisk Bureau) and the British where I am pretty insecure if we may give the honor to BTMC or others. Maybe something from France, but for me that may be a secret.  ;)

dsk