Auction 113: Western Electric 1975 Transparent 500 C/D

[TelePlay]

Just listed and a first in our Auction Contests since 2009, a rare 1975 Western Electric Transparent 500 C/D Phone in great condition. It was listed with a high starting price of $299.00 in a 7 day auction with no reserve (or, rather than a starting price of $9.99 with a reserve, in this case we know the reserve up front). Since this is starting high, Rule #3 will be relaxed to 4% so guess gaps of 8+% can be split in half. I'll help with these as the auction go forward and guesses are entered. Who really knows what this will sell for when the gold dust settles.

The seller listed it as a "Rare Vintage Western Electric Transparent 500 C/D Phone" with the item condition as "Used" and "Good vintage condition. Came from the estate of a early Western Electric rep" and says "Up for auction is this beautiful, pristine transparent Western Electric 500 C/D phone with a transparent C4 handset.  This phone was found with a significant number of other Western Electric phones, from a early Western Electric executive's estate.  The internal components appear to be all original dated 11/75. This phone is not a reproduction. We recently acquired a large selection of vintage Western Electric equipment from a local estate.  The gentleman worked for Western Electric for over 50 years and we have some really nice telephone and other equipment . . .   We have had each piece tested by an audio specialist and all items are in working order.  However, we are not experts or collectors and all items are sold as is.   Estate sources claim that this gentlemen was a stickler about the quality of his equipment.  Original connections/cords have been retained and buyer can either replace at their discretion. . . . This item item will be sold to the highest bidder, with no reserve. This item will ship priority mail with insurance. ".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181352517039

One note of importance, I used Adobe Photoshop's Auto Level Enhancement to adjust the eBay photos into what seems to be a more realistic representation of the true color of the phone in natural light. The un-enhanced original photos can be seen on the eBay auction page.

Still another chance to either move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- list.

     - - - >  As always, you have to play to win!

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.

As I said above, I will help members as the contest progresses to prevent guess crowding under Rule #3 lowered to 4% for this contest.

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


S C O R E B O A R D

$   300.00 - JimH  ( 7 )
$   312.00 - Scotophor  ( 12 )
$   333.50 - TelePlay  ) 16 )
$   355.00 - david@london  ( 14 )
$   375.00 - K1WI  ( 6 )
$   400.00 - Sargeguy  ( 8 )
$   435.00 - AE_Collector  ( 1 )
$   455.00 - Kenton K  ( 10 )
$   475.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 17 )
$   502.50 - zaphod01  ( 3 )
$   554.00 - twocvbloke  ( 9 )
$   680.00 - tallguy58  ( 5 )
$   707.01 - HarrySmith  ( 11 )  adjusted up (4%) under Rule #3
$   750.00 - Mr. Bones  ( 2 )
$   825.95 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 4 ) -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $1,125.00
$1,000,000.00 - NCphoneman  ( 13 )
$3,471,181.64  - xhausted110  ( 15 )



Early Morning Auction Status Changes

03-15-14   Listed    $   299.00
03-16-14   0 bids    $   299.00 , , ,
03-20-14   1 bid      $   299.00 , ,
03-22-14   7 bidders, 12 bids $1,125.00  Ended at 18:55:36 PDT

[AE_Collector]

$435.00

Terry

[Mr. Bones]

$750.00, I'd reckon.

[zaphod01]

$502.50

[WEBellSystemChristian]

I'll go high and shoot for $825.95.

[tallguy58]

$680

[K1WI]

  $375

[JimH]

I saw this and it doesn't look all original to me.  WECO never stamped the bottom like this; the network doesn't look like the standard 425 network of the day.  It's hard to tell if it's stamped "Bell System by Western Electric" in the plastics from the picture.  The dial has that "80s" retaining clip on it, not like the typical 9C dial. The cords look correct with that strain relief, though.  If it is WECO plastics, you could always switch it out with a correct phone underneath.  I'll say

$300

Jim

[Sargeguy]

I will guess $400

[TelePlay]

The only other clear 500 in the Auction Contests showed up in July of 2009 and sold from what seemed to be a surprisingly low price (by some forum members) of $260.

One interesting comment by McHeath was an "Interesting mix of dates that we can see, from 73' to 75'.  Most of the clear phones I've seen have 70's dates, guess that was when they were most popular.". Another by Stephen Furley who said "Money is still tight for a lot of people at the moment; I'm going to say $235." and one from Dan/Panther who said "If I had it I think I would put it onto an older base."

There was no information about the phone in the CRPF Auction Contest 31 set up, other than the now dead eBay link, and only this one picture which looks much like our current candidate.

So, just a bit short of 5 years later, who really know what this phone will sell for, if it does indeed sell. Still looking for it's first bid with 6 days left in the auction.

[twocvbloke]

I can see the "Bell System by Western Electric" logo, so I'd assume the shell was real, the rest I don't know as they seem to not cover the full baseplate, but the Western Electric name is what people seem to buy for...

I'll say $554, cos I can't think of another number that works...

[Kenton K]

A clear 500 is on my wish list, right after a gray one!

I'd say $455, if available

[AE_Collector]

There was no information about the phone in the set up, other than the now dead eBay link, and only this one picture which looks much like our current candidate.

Says a lot John.

You put an amazing amount of work into these contests including all the info available in your intro of the phone/contest saved here for posterity complete with retouched pictures sometimes. Thanks for your investment of time to make these very detailed Auction Contests.

Terry

[HarrySmith]

I'm gonna go $699.01. I am not convinced it is real. The logo is visible as well as the ribs and switch boss inside. The problem I have is it is too clear. Usually the clear phones yellow, like the one in the last contest.

------------------------

EDIT:  Adjusted up to $707.01 under Rule #3, 4% above $680.00 (the #5 guess)

[Kenton K]

the network doesn't look like the standard 425 network of the day. 

Looks like a WE 4228 network, Not sure when they introduced that though. Certainly by 1980.

K