Hi People....
I had been after one of these for years but never saw one in nice condition and a reasonable price until this appeared on a BIN :-)
Seamus
http://bit.ly/1djnyIa
Quote from: JubileeCompact on February 12, 2014, 06:47:18 AM
Hi People....
I had been after one of these for years but never saw one in nice condition and a reasonable price until this appeared on a BIN :-)
Seamus
http://bit.ly/1djnyIa (http://bit.ly/1djnyIa)
Great find Seamus:
Been looking for one for the museum as well, but I hate to spend as much as they usually go for when there are also older phones I need... Nice, though!
Dave
Those wacky Canadians...
These phones are not rare, especially in orange, but they usually sell for high prices. I got one on ebay for $27 about a year ago, but it was dirty, most of the wires inside had been disconnected, and the modular line connector was missing. I managed to clean it up and put it all back to working order, but it is rather out of place in my collection.
Larry
Great find ...Dave this kind of phone are not so rare but the sellers sell them at a high price :(
NOTA: Sorry Larry :D for the same message that we have wrote in the same time loll
Quote from: Contempra on February 12, 2014, 09:05:40 AM
Great find ...Dave this kind of phone are not so rare but the sellers sell them at a high price :(
Exactly my point. I'd rather get a couple of older phones than one of these for my money. However, it is something I have been watching out for for several years, chiefly for the kids who see the museum.
Oddly, I have never seen one in the Maritimes. I keep hoping I will see one in a yard sale, but never have though NE made them.
Dave
Not even in Québec province Dave ..i've never seen one from eyes....
Quote from: Contempra on February 12, 2014, 09:42:52 AM
Not even in Québec province Dave ..i've never seen one from eyes....
They seem to be Canada's best secret! :)
hahahaha ! may be .. yes. ;D
I consider these in the novelty phone category, not my cup of tea, but whatever rotates your dial I always say. This style in particular seems to go at relatively high prices, so they must be popular among some collectors.
Quote from: Brinybay on February 12, 2014, 02:00:47 PM
I consider these in the novelty phone category, not my cup of tea, but whatever rotates your dial I always say. This style in particular seems to go at relatively high prices, so they must be popular among some collectors.
exact, among the collectors and among some fans simply.
Yes, these are popular among the funky retro 70ies people, like the Telcer Bobo and the ericofon.
Quote from: Brinybay on February 12, 2014, 02:00:47 PM
I consider these in the novelty phone category, not my cup of tea, but whatever rotates your dial I always say. This style in particular seems to go at relatively high prices, so they must be popular among some collectors.
Sure they are. But in the museum, in addition to the parents, I need to have a few items to entertain the kids - one of the reasons I have a Mickey Mouse phone. The kids love it, That is why I would love to have one here, not because I consider it a serious phone. Just adds a bit of interest for them.
But as I said, if I can buy two real phones for what I would have to pay for one of these, the real phones will come first :) Yet I keep looking. There's only so much money to go around.
Dave
Of all the novelty phones, I believe these have a way above average chance of becoming an icon of their era.
They are also a cross-collectible with interest from 70s - 80s decorators and airplane enthusiasts.
Some have been customized with airline logos, adding another collecting group.
I have several in my collection, and they invariably bring out more discussion than most of the serious phones when shown to (non-collector) visitors.
This topic brings up an interesting question. We don't see many novelty phone collecrtors here or in the clubs. However, there are several books on collecting novelty phones. Phoneco and OPW sell them. Why isn't there more discussion about them?
I love the novelty phones from the 1970s. I was just a wee lad during those times, and I have no memories of any rotary phones except the 500s and the wall mounted versions. When I started collecting phones, that two-tone orange flier was the first one I acquired. I just recently got an Ericofon and replaced three electronic components so it would ring again, still after a yellow donut-shaped Scuptura, and I am sure it is only a matter of time before my wife wants a Mickey Mouse phone. Maybe one day I'll get one of those executive phones hidden in a box.
I don't think that I have seen its real name mentioned here yet. Alexander Graham Plane ....I think?
I don't have one but have watched them on ebaY occasionally. They usually seem to get up towards $100 though I haven't watched for awhile. I wonder what they went for new? Probably about the same.
Terry
A quick search reveals there are at least 4 on eBay right now.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xrotary+airplane+telephone&_nkw=rotary+airplane+telephone&_sacat=0&_from=R40
I wonder what they went for new? Probably about the same,,,,,,,,,
Actually a bit more- and obviously that's a lot more in todays $$
Although there are a few on Ebay at the moment none of them are basically unused with the original box and paperwork :)
Anyways, I see one at $59 on the link from Harry...
Quote from: Contempra on February 13, 2014, 08:56:04 AM
Anyways, I see one at $59 on the link from Harry...
Yes, but that is $59 in an active auction with no bids, no buy it now and almost 6 days left to go. Goodness knows where it will end up!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1970S-NORTHERN-TELECOM-AIRPLANE-TELEPHONE-ROTARY-DIAL-VINTAGE-BEAUTY-/151230513081?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23360a7fb9 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1970S-NORTHERN-TELECOM-AIRPLANE-TELEPHONE-ROTARY-DIAL-VINTAGE-BEAUTY-/151230513081?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23360a7fb9)
There are also two on Etsy asking $200 PLUS!
Dave
Using Harry's search but checking "sold," there are 12 that sold between $25 and $100:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&_nkw=rotary+airplane+telephone&_sop=3
The bottom priced one was the only one that didn't have the phones proper name in the title.
Terry
Some day I will find one at somewhere close to that price. Meanwhile, I have to justify all the museum purchases - if I have a hundred dollars to spend, I will spend it on a phone with more collector value, and of course have to pay higher than normal shipping as I am in Canada. It would be nice to have one of these someday for the kids who see the museum.
But for now, I have to watch my money. The museum doesn't have a vast network of investors - there is only myself, and its costs come directly out of my small medical pension and my savings are running out. I don't believe in charging people to see it - I have been told I should, but it is just a belief of mine I am going to stand firm on. So I have to prioritize purchases to bring the most interesting items for visitors, and I always try to have something new to attract them. Sadly, I also have to pay 3 to 4 thousand a year for building upkeep, insurance and power, so that limits my spending, too. But I do the best I can, and have received a lot of help through other collectors including specially, Terry. Thank you all.
One of these days. It is just one item on a very long wish list... :)
Funny thing as Contempra and I said, they just don't show up in Canada. None of those on eBay are from Canadian Sellers, at least at the current time. It makes me wonder if, though they were made by Northern Telecom, whether they were released only in the U.S. How I would love to find one in a yard sale!
Dave
Quote from: AE_Collector on February 13, 2014, 01:18:56 PM
The bottom priced one was the only one that didn't have the phones proper name in the title.
Having no cords and fuzzy photos didn't help it either!
Quote from: DavePEI on February 13, 2014, 01:37:17 PM
Some day I will find one at somewhere close to that price. Meanwhile, I have to justify all the museum purchases - if I have a hundred dollars to spend, I will spend it on a phone with more collector value, and of course have to pay higher than normal shipping as I am in Canada. It would be nice to have one of these someday for the kids who see the museum
The search is over! Today, I found one at a good price, and thanks to an unexpected tax rebate, was able to purchase it. It looks to be in good shape, and the kids will have another item in the museum to have fun with!
Could use an orange modular handset cord for it....
Dave
Quote from: paul-f on February 12, 2014, 06:36:38 PM
...
This topic brings up an interesting question. We don't see many novelty phone collecrtors here or in the clubs. However, there are several books on collecting novelty phones. Phoneco and OPW sell them. Why isn't there more discussion about them?
Perhaps somebody who has at least a passing interest and has few in their collection could start a thread on CRPF dedicated to novelty phones, or the moderators could put a board up dedicated to them. Although they don't particularly "rotate my dial", I would be very interested in getting educated on what's quality and what's junk for novelty phones and what they generally go for. I see lots of them on the Goodwill site, especially various Mickey Mouse and Harley Davidson motorcycle phones, et al.
Of all novelty phones, I like these, but just not willing to pay the premium price. This WW2 style is cool, but again, just not willing to pay that kind of price.
http://www.icollector.com/NORTHERN-TELECOM-ALEXANDER-GRAHAM-PLANE_i10487400
Quote from: Brinybay on February 26, 2014, 01:14:53 PM
Perhaps somebody who has at least a passing interest and has few in their collection could start a thread on CRPF dedicated to novelty phones or the moderators could put a board in dedicated to them. Although they don't particularly "rotate my dial", I would be very interested in getting educated on what's quality and what's junk for novelty phones and what they generally go for. I see lots of them on the Goodwill site, especially various Mickey Mouse and Harley Davidson motorcycle phones, et al.
I look at these as sort of belonging to a class by themselves. Most of the widely seen novelty phones used a case made by an external company and then the various companies would put their components inside and sell them. Most of the various box phones and other design line phones were of that type.
But these were actually phones completely manufactured by Northern Electric/Telecom in the novelty style. The odd thing is, I have never seen many of them here in Canada - it appears that most were sold in the U.S. However, they are certainly a novelty style, only manufactured completely by NT (as opposed to the insides only). For some reason they were exempt for the "replace the innards thinking".
While I am not nuts on novelty phones, people visiting the museum like them, and the kids especially like Mickey, so I think this will be a popular addition.
The one I purchased was in good shape, but at some point had the orange cord it came with replaced by a while handset cord. But the price was right - as mentioned below, they tend to go for very high prices. Funny for a phone which originally sold for $125-$150!
I do agree with you. Perhaps we could start an area for novelty phones.
Dave
Here is a photo of the AGB Airrplane phone I purchased.
I have found an orange cord to replace the white on on it. Orange was the standard cord they came with, but I suspect at some time the orange cord wore out, and it was replaced with white.
Dave
My orange plane phone has a hard-wired orange handset cord, but the line cord was apparently modular. When I received it, the modular connector in the phone was missing.
Larry
I'm not much on novelty phones generally, but I've got a soft spot for this one.
Larry:
Nortel dragged its feet on going modular for a long long time. It is possible the case had been redesigned for RJ11 but they were still going out the door hardwired.
Terry
Many of the "hardwired" sets were 1/4 modular, using a satin silver flat cord with modular plug on the wall end and spade tips inside the phone.
The next time you'e inside the phone, check out the inside of the housing carefully. The first time I looked inside a hardwired set, I was excited to find "prototype" and other codes molded inside. See an example here:
http://www.paul-f.com/a/alexproto.jpg (http://www.paul-f.com/a/alexproto.jpg)
I was even more excited to find similar markeings on the next hardwired set I opened. After the fifth one, it started feeling like the markings weren't all that unusual. Apparently they didn't bother to change the mold when they went into production. They did change it for the modular sets, however.
It would be interesting to learn if others have different (or no) markings inside their hardwired sets.
I don't know if I will be opening the housing any time soon as they are a bit of a hassle to reassemble. My phone does have the proper opening and molding for a modular connector and "USOC modular" printed on the sticker on the bottom. The phone was a mess when I got it. The PC board was loose and most of the wires were detached. I assumed that whoever dismantled it took or lost the connector. There was no line cord. I found a spare connector in my parts supply and replaced it and gave it a standard gray modular cord.
Larry
Hopefully mine is modular at both ends. It is the handset cord, and you can see for certain in the photo it is modular at the handset end at least. I found a nice Orange Coiled Modular handset cord on Ebay from OldPhoneWorks and ordered it - a perfect match supposing the cord is modular at both ends.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181166032872?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181166032872?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
They also have another, longer one listed for $12.85 plus $4 shipping:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181166032915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item2a2e564813 (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181166032915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item2a2e564813)
They list multiples of each.
Dave
My handset cord is hard-wired on both ends, though it is flat like a modular cord.
Larry
Hi Guys
I wondered where my post had gone ....
Mine is fully modular so it seems there is a lot of options.... Has anyone ever come across a Modular Contempra or Dawn as these were also made by NT??
Quote from: JubileeCompact on March 01, 2014, 03:27:17 AM
Hi Guys
I wondered where my post had gone ....
Mine is fully modular so it seems there is a lot of options.... Has anyone ever come across a Modular Contempra or Dawn as these were also made by NT??
Contempras use a special 5 wire cord, non-modular. Dawn's are modular. Larry's is the first AGB phone which I have heard of which isn't modular. It was perhaps a very early one. Regardless of the fact I haven't seen a Dawn in non-modular, it is possible too that they came non-modular in the early models.
The AGB phone is growing on me. I can understand why they are so popular. I can't wait for mine to arrive.
I suspect that NT produced this phone to commemorate the Aerial Experiment Assn under Alexander Graham ]BELL's experimental Silver Dart flown over Baddeck Bay in Nova Scotia. It had its inaugural flight on February 23, 1909 over the Lake. Today, many photos of it and its flight may still be seen at Beinn Bhreagh in Baddeck, Cape Breton, Bell's summer home and AGB museum. I have placed photos of Alexander and Mabel and of Alexander's funeral elsewhere on the forum. His interests went far beyond the telephone.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8947.msg95827#msg95827 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8947.msg95827#msg95827)
Dave
For whatever it's worth, here is a picture of the bottom of my plane phone.
Larry
I just did some splitting and merging to put most of the Contempra's handset cord is discussion into a topic started yesterday by Poplar1.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11323.0
Terry
My Alexander Graham Airplane phone arrived this morning in good condition, and I have the new orange handset cord on it replacing the white one someone had placed on it. The white one had only been recently put on it - it still had the folds in the cord from the packaging. This is the first time I saw one in person, and it is larger than I expected - about the size of a 500 set... Great shape!
Dave
I am glad to see that it arrived safely. That phone is quite large and bulky. It definitely does not fit well on a crowded desktop. Mine spends nearly all of its time on the display shelf. One of these days, I will probably sell it.
Larry
To clear your desktop, and since the prop seems to be turning, you could suspend it using fish line.
A mobile made using the three different colors would be striking.
Or several of the camoflage units flying in formation...
Sound effect tracks from movies, like "Flying Leathernecks" would complete the image.
Quote from: paul-f on March 06, 2014, 09:53:09 AM
A mobile made using the three different colors would be striking.
Or several of the camoflage units flying in formation...
Guess that would make it a mobile phone ! :)
Perhaps you could also hang a Snoopy phone with them and you could have a dogfight.
Is there a wiring diagram for this phone? I have one and the ringer has been unplugged, and I can't find any logical terminals to plug it back into. Don't see a diagram on the TCI website.
Look again, Dave.
Search for graham plane, or
http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/document-repository/doc_details/4864-nt-502-9031-200-may78-alexander-graham-plane-tel-set-s (http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/document-repository/doc_details/4864-nt-502-9031-200-may78-alexander-graham-plane-tel-set-s)
Thanks - I looked all over the TCI site and couldn't find anything about the plane phone. I ended up following the wiring instructions for one of their other phones. Well, I think it's wired correctly, which means the ringer is bad. Now the hunt for another ringer.
I think it uses an M1A ringer. I think that I have a spare or two here.
Larry
They have real ringers in them? I would have assumed an electronic alerter of some sort.
Terry
Quote from: AE_Collector on May 15, 2014, 12:51:02 AM
They have real ringers in them? I would have assumed an electronic alerter of some sort.
Yup, a real ringer if that is what you call it, an M1A. It must be one of the very last NTs with true ringers. I find their ring a little wishy-washy.
Dave
On eBay now:
http://tinyurl.com/o52lncb
The first replacement ringer didn't work either, but the 2nd replacement was the charm. I had no idea that there would be differences between those ringers, but there are. The mounting holes were different sizes on the replacement ringer, so I had to switch the rubber washers to get it to mount on the phone. Then the ringer damper switch is located off just enough that it doesn't work now. I tried switching the plastic lever, but still wouldn't work. You would think that those ringers would be identical no matter when manufactured, like the ringer in a we 302. So now the ringer works, but the damper does not. Phone looks a little out of place next to my other phones which are 50 years older, but looks nice.
For those who are looking for one of these airplane phones there are 3 on eBay right now. I bought one off eBay and it arrived today. I very happy with it. It's a fun item.
I bought one as a Gift for a Pilot/Aircraft Mechanic. it was only about 30 USD with shipping on Mercadolibre Mexico . I cleaned and polished it. It was missing the translucent dial shroud/prop (broken off). I promised to look for one. She loved it anyway. Oldphoneworks gave me a great deal on dial/prop and delivery to USA . It is being packed in a suitcase destined for Mexico about now and the proud owner has decided she wants to try to install it herself. It is a simple install and I only have memory to work from so if anyone here has a photo disassembled it might be helpful to her. I will check TCI library as well.
Mark
Quote from: markosjal on May 11, 2017, 02:06:32 AM
I bought one as a Gift for a Pilot/Aircraft Mechanic. it was only about 30 USD with shipping on Mercadolibre Mexico . I cleaned and polished it. It was missing the translucent dial shroud/prop (broken off). I promised to look for one. She loved it anyway. Oldphoneworks gave me a great deal on dial/prop and delivery to USA . It is being packed in a suitcase destined for Mexico about now and the proud owner has decided she wants to try to install it herself. It is a simple install and I only have memory to work from so if anyone here has a photo disassembled it might be helpful to her. I will check TCI library as well.
Mark
You're very welcome Mark.
-Matt
OPW
Those are nice. Cliff designed them at Northern T. He did a car too.
Just wanted to post a pic of the phone I mentioned in this thread with Plastic Prop/shroud installed (from OldPhoneWorks)
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=231293;image)