Auction 181: WE 1955 Mediterranean Blue 500 with Grey Cords - Ended 8/09/15

[TelePlay]

New forum members are very welcome and encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. No one knows the winning bid on any auction until it ends. However, it is important to get your guess in before someone else grabs your guess.

Listed about a day ago in a 5 day auction with no reserve and starting at $9.99 ( with thanks for a PM tip from fabius ) is a very nice matching date 12-55 Mediterranean Blue 500 with grey line and handset cords and a soft center finger wheel. Within the first day on eBay, the listing has attracted 8 bidders placing 8 bids leaving the current bid at $132.50. I have a feeling there will be some price escalation over the next 4 days. How much? Who knows best what the final bid will be when the auction ends?

NOTE: we will use an $8 gap rule between guesses to prevent crowding. As such, keep your guess at least $8 away from prior guesses for this contest. That would be about a 3% gap for this phone but makes it easier to place your guesses.

So, once again, who best knows what this phone will sell for when the actions ends?

The seller listed it as an "MEDITERRANEAN BLUE - WESTERN ELECTRIC Model 500 Telephone - Circa 1955" with the item condition as "Used" and "Outstanding original condition. Cleaned and buffed, with fantastic original cordage." with the auction listing description simply saying "Just in time for your 60th birthday! Just completed the restoration of this beauty. I am totally amazed at how nice this example really is. Since the fingerwheel was damaged when I received it, I have mounted an NOS fingerwheel and a very special (and original) number card.  Anyone a fan of "Butterfield 8"? It's been carefully disassembled and thoroughly cleaned and lightly polished, and it shines beautifully. The original Gray cordage is just about perfect, with no breaks at all. Both the handset and the linecord have been meticulously cleaned and re-installed. Note in the photos that all components match the 1955 date, with most even in the same month of assembly! I found no chips or cracks in the body or the handset. This is an outstanding example to display with pride. The dial operates perfectly, and the telephone operates as it should, and rings proudly on in-coming calls when attached to a working telephone line. This telephone is in magnificent condition both inside and out. Note the great condition the baseplate and early suede-leather feet."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231642795052  ( a few more photos can be seen on eBay )

It's another chance to move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- list,

     . . . for as twocvbloke said,   ---> "You gotta be in it to win it !!!" "

If you want to see the phones of past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <-


S C O R E B O A R D

$  220.00 - andre_janew  ( 16 )
$  247.88 - Dennis Markham  ( 2 )
$  275.00 - Autonut  ( 1 )
$  287.50 - compubit  ( 14 )
$  300.00 - JorgeAmely  ( 5 )
$  320.00 - 19and41  ( 9 )
$  365.00 - david@london  ( 3 )
$  385.50 - TelePlay  ( 15 )
$  400.00 - tallguy58  ( 8 )
$  413.00 - Fabius  ( 17 )
$  432.00 - twocvbloke  ( 6 )
$  450.00 - Sargeguy  ( 10 )
$  465.00 - baldopeacock  ( 11 )
$  480.00 - wds  ( 13 )
$  502.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 7 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $528.88
$  601.00 - HarrySmith  ( 12 )
$  650.00 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 4 )


Early Morning Auction Status

08-04-15     Listed      $       9.99
08-05-15     5 bids      $   122.00
08-06-15     8 bids      $   132.50
08-07-15   12 bids      $   177.50
08-08-15   13 bids      $   182.50
08-09-15   14 bids      $   190.50
08-09-15   15 bidders, 21 bids  $528.88  Ended at 8:12:12 PDT

[.....]

I'll go in at $275.00

[Dennis Markham]

I will guess $247.88.

Thanks.

[WEBellSystemChristian]

$650

[JorgeAmely]

Put me down for $300.00

[twocvbloke]

$432

[WesternElectricBen]

$502.00

[tallguy58]

$400

[19and41]

$300.00 please.

[Sargeguy]

$450

[baldopeacock]

$465.   Isn't Ray Kottke the seller??

[19and41]

Revised guess, $320.00  sorry.

[WesternElectricBen]

$465.   Isn't Ray Kottke the seller??

That's correct.

Ben

[HarrySmith]

$601.00

[wds]

$480