WE 20B Candlestick Parts

[LarryInMichigan]

I bought a sad WE 20B stick which someone had gutted and turned into a lamp.  Below are pictures of the parts.  The tag on the front of the transmitter plate was removed, and a lamp socket was soldered into the mouthpiece hole.  Interestingly, the lamp socket was connected to a long cloth insulated power cord with c. 1920 Benjamin screw-in plug at the end.  I paid $20 for the phone/lamp, and the plug is apparently worth about that much, so I couldn't have lost too much.  Is this stuff worth anything?

Larry

[Ktownphoneco]

Larry   ...  It certainly would be to me !   While I'm not all that knowledgeable regarding the "specifics" of the early Western desk stands, the fact that it's got the solid brass perch, with patent dates, a separate transmitter cup and lug, a knurled thumb turn transmitter position clamp assembly and most likely an untouched base and stem, makes it worth a few bucks for parts alone.    If it were mine, I'd start hunting for the correct parts to restore the set.    It's unfortunate that it was attacked by the "lamp gods".

Jeff Lamb

[WEBellSystemChristian]

You would be surprised how well Nickel can hold up. A little Brasso and something to cover up the lamp hole could make it look like a brand new candlestick!

[LarryInMichigan]

This phone is missing too many parts to be a good restoration candidate.  Also, the perch was destroyed by filing off the top to allow the transmitter cup to point upward.  I plan to list some of the parts.  A very knowledgeable member already sent me a message giving me some information about the values of some of the parts. 

It certainly is a shame what was done to it.  The parts that were used for the lamp probably date to the 1920s, so I wonder if this lamp conversion might have actually been done that far back.

Larry

[Jim Stettler]

If I by a phone that was damaged when converted to a lamp, I make it into a safe lamp and use it in my phone areas. I like to upgrade to 3-way socket and a long (12'-15' ) cord.
JMO,
Jim S.

[Pourme]

I have a secret desire for a phone lamp to use adjacent to my collection...but would never destroy a good phone to create one...