Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => The CRPF Auction Contests Archive => Auction Talk => Cancelled CRPF Auction Contests Archive => Topic started by: TelePlay on May 03, 2017, 03:36:24 PM

Title: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: TelePlay on May 03, 2017, 03:36:24 PM
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.

Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE 1955 Rose Beige 500 C/D

Listed about a day ago in a 7 day auction with no reserve and starting at $19.95 is an interesting B1/D1 in what the seller claims to be brass. Don't know. Don't know much about this phone other than what is shown in the pictures and also knowing that it is similar to poplar1's forum icon. The seller provided good array of external pictures for you to view before placing a guess. The straight cloth handset cord seems to be in good condition; the mounting cord a replacement. Since being listed, the phone has received 2 bids from 2 buyer raising the price to $23.05. It should go higher but the question is once again, who best knows what this phone will sell for when the auction ends?

NOTE:  We will use a $2 gap rule between guesses to prevent crowding. As such, keep your guess at least $2 away from prior guesses for this contest. All guesses, original and a single allowed revised guess if needed, must be submitted at least 24 hours before the auction ends.

The seller listed it as an "RARE! 1930-1936 Western Electric 202 D1 E1 handset BRASS telephone" with the item condition as "Used" and " - - - " and with the auction listing description saying "RARE! 1930-1936 Western Electric 202 D1 E1 bullet handset BRASS telephone -- RARE!!!! -- For your consideration is a very RARE BRASS Western Electric 202 D1 E1 handset with an estimated manufacturing date of 1933. Everything on the phone appears to be original except the modern plug in cord. I am unable to test the phone to see if it functions. The brass on the phone does show some aging patina, staining and scratches - please refer to all photos as they too are part of the description. -- This BRASS phone was purchased at an estate auction. I have done a lot of research on this Western Electric 202 model and am unable to find one in brass as the one pictured.  So I believe this to be a VERY RARE find! If you know more more about this rare find please let me know and I will post it on this listing! "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142370516724

It's another chance to move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4198.0) list,

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

If you want to see the phones of past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <- (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17437.msg180238#msg180238)


S C O R E B O A R D

$   55.00 - Sargeguy  ( 3 )
$   77.00 - Dan/Panther  ( 5 )
$   89.00 - Jim S.  ( 1 )
$  97.95 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 4 )
$ 100.00 - skyrider  ( 2 )


Early Morning Auction Status

05-02-17      Listed      $    19.95
05-03-17      1 bids      $    19.95   ( 1 bidders )
05-04-17      2 bids      $    23.05   ( 2 bidders )

Listing ended early (for a second time) by the seller on 3 May 2017 at 5:27:21PM PDT

05-05-17
05-06-17
05-07-17
05-08-17
05-09-17

05-09-17      Ends at 6:00:28PM PDT
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 03, 2017, 03:49:14 PM
$89
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: skyrider on May 03, 2017, 04:30:26 PM
$100. 00 for me, Thanks
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: unbeldi on May 03, 2017, 04:38:27 PM
Hmm.   I am wondering whether this is some kind of poorly done reproduction in brass, especially the cradle.  The defects in the cradle appear too severe to be caused by corrosion.
Disregarding that, the description of "originality" in that set is far from reality.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: LarryInMichigan on May 03, 2017, 06:24:40 PM
I am skeptical about the authenticity of this phone.  I have seen brass reproductions, probably from India or Korea, of phone models like this.  Someone will probably pay a large amount for it anyway.

Larry
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on May 03, 2017, 06:36:09 PM
No, this one definitely doesn't look original.

Notice the sides of the cradle ears, how they aren't beveled or formed very well. It also appears that there are no stamps or markings anywhere.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: rdelius on May 03, 2017, 06:39:55 PM
phoneco assembled these.Poor fitting parts from Korea?.Lots of hand fitting.At least it has an old handset and possible dial.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: TelePlay on May 03, 2017, 06:59:18 PM
Okay, guys. It's a contest not for originality but what it will sell for. I see $100 or more in parts on this item. I agree it's not factory NOS but it is a change to get a win in a contest. It's not going to go for $23 when the base, base plate, dial, handset are each worth that alone. Not all contests are for perfect phones and this is one of them.

Take a guess . . .  and let's see who wins. The gap is only $2. It would sell for more than $23 if it were a lamp phone, right?
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: Sargeguy on May 03, 2017, 07:38:51 PM
$55
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on May 03, 2017, 08:37:45 PM
Sure, I'll play! :D

$97.95
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 03, 2017, 10:42:20 PM
$77.00
D/P
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: Fabius on May 03, 2017, 10:50:23 PM
GONE! Either someone made him an offer he couldn't refuse or he got enough message that it was a fake that he pulled the auction.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 08:10:58 AM
Quote from: Fabius on May 03, 2017, 10:50:23 PM
GONE! Either someone made him an offer he couldn't refuse or he got enough message that it was a fake that he pulled the auction.

Yep, just can't seem to get a 276er to go to an end. Maybe the next 276 will be a 3rd time charm.

Sent a message to the seller to see if it going to be re-listed.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 08:20:55 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 08:10:58 AM
Sent a message to the seller to see if it going to be re-listed.

Seller responded quickly with this message:  "Thank you so much for getting back to me about the phone. I took it off of eBay listing because after getting some messages from other "professionals" watching the phone, they questioned if it was brass or not. I am not an expert on these phones and did not want to sell it if indeed I was incorrect about it."

So, what do the "professionals" need to determine if this is brass or whatever? I guess his "brass?" wasn't enough of a disclaimer to keep him comfortable enough to keep the listing up and see what the market thought it was worth.
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: unbeldi on May 04, 2017, 10:05:30 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 08:20:55 AM
Seller responded quickly with this message:  "Thank you so much for getting back to me about the phone. I took it off of eBay listing because after getting some messages from other "professionals" watching the phone, they questioned if it was brass or not. I am not an expert on these phones and did not want to sell it if indeed I was incorrect about it."

So, what do the "professionals" need to determine if this is brass or whatever? I guess his "brass?" wasn't enough of a disclaimer to keep him comfortable enough to keep the listing up and see what the market thought it was worth.

Well, it sure looked like brass.  Rare indeed, at least more rare than the real deal.
But the problem is that the real B1 was never made from brass.  The body was steel, and I believe the cradle assembly was die cast aluminum alloy.


Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: poplar1 on May 04, 2017, 11:07:25 AM
Seller had added picture of inside.
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 11:16:49 AM
Interesting. I did send the seller a message asking for that photo.

Nice and clean. Looks like a painted brass/bronze base. Newer dial. Missing one screw on the dial mount. Hot wired (without the minimum RC circuit). No word from the seller as to what he is going to do. I suspect relist it over the next few days.
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: unbeldi on May 04, 2017, 11:35:06 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 11:16:49 AM
Nice and clean. Looks like a painted brass/bronze base. Newer dial. Missing one screw on the dial mount. Hot wired (without the minimum RC circuit). No word from the seller as to what he is going to do. I suspect relist it over the next few days.

Nice and clean ?  Hmm, meaning little dirt ?

It is completely fake and poorly made.   The thread holes for attaching the base plate aren't even centered on the arms.
The switch contact 'extensions' are not the same, original size and appear 'home' cut without markings, and the screws are tiny round-head screws, while the originals ones used a broad head from brass. The threads are poorly cut, leaving a metal rim pressed out where the spade tips should make clean contact with the entire surface.
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: TelePlay on May 04, 2017, 03:06:34 PM
Quote from: unbeldi on May 04, 2017, 11:35:06 AM
Nice and clean ?  Hmm, meaning little dirt ?

It is completely fake and poorly made.   The thread holes for attaching the base plate aren't even centered on the arms.
The switch contact 'extensions' are not the same, original size and appear 'home' cut without markings, and the screws are tiny round-head screws, while the originals ones used a broad head from brass. The threads are poorly cut, leaving a metal rim pressed out where the spade tips should make clean contact with the entire surface.

unbeldi, quite the eye for detail. Even after reading those points, I had to look twice at the internals to see what you discovered.

And, yes --  Nice and clean ?  Hmm, meaning little dirt ? --  a relative term as in a comparison to something like this . . .   or worse such as water encrusted salts and corrosion after submersion in flood waters.

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=15387.0;attach=137295;image)
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: poplar1 on May 04, 2017, 06:58:47 PM
Relisted. Still not admitting that it is a repro.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unusual-Vintage-Western-Electric-model-B1-102-telephone-with-E1-handset-/142372307359
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: andre_janew on May 08, 2017, 06:17:09 PM
$66
Title: Re: Auction 276: WE B1/E1 in Brass? - Ends 05-09-17
Post by: TelePlay on May 11, 2017, 02:17:26 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 03, 2017, 06:59:18 PM
Okay, guys. It's a contest not for originality but what it will sell for. I see $100 or more in parts on this item. I agree it's not factory NOS but it is a change to get a win in a contest. It's not going to go for $23 when the base, base plate, dial, handset are each worth that alone.

Well, looks like Skyrider and I were in the ball park at about $100. Sold today for $104.50 to a bidder who placed a high bid 15 seconds before end time, high enough to keep two last second snipes from taking the phone home. So, if someone want to own up to being u***5 ( 866 ), the winner, and letting us know what they bought, it would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: poplar1 on May 11, 2017, 03:40:05 PM
The seller  emailed me that the seller had told him it was original. And at that point, he canceled the listing. But then he relisted it again, still claiming it was a Western Electric. I sent him these pictures for comparison:
Title: Re: Auction (276 Cancelled: Listing Terminated) WE B1/E1 in Brass?
Post by: TelePlay on May 11, 2017, 04:41:41 PM
Internal comparison, for the record . . .