Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Flea Market/Yard Sale/Antique Store/Thrift Store Finds => Topic started by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 03:20:46 PM

Title: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 03:20:46 PM
 ;D Luckily I did a u-turn at my favorite thrift shop today! There it was ???
Oh, I thought, another of those cheesy imitation French Style phones. Except this had a dial  :o Turned it over.  WESTERN ELECTRIC.  8) The trick was not to do cartwheels on the way to the check-out. 

This is what I got for the glorious sum of $5.99 less 25%:
MODEL 940 Celebrity   B40-Gold trim, 3 feet (MD78) :
http://www.electronixandmore.com/adam/images/phone/ivyceleb_1.jpg

There are some other interesting phones here?
http://www.electronixandmore.com/adam/phone1.html

There is no date of manufacture/country of origin, but it has a serial number,
532467.
The gold trim is a bit pitted, and it's missing its feet, but otherwise looks to be in good shape.

Walt S Will someone please turn off the rain in New Jersey!   :D
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: Drew on March 15, 2010, 04:26:14 PM
There's a picture of one of those in Dooner's Telephone Collecting book listed as circa 1977. If it's from the 70's it could very well be a U.S. made unit. I thought all imported products need to be marked with the country of manufacture.  I guess you could look at the internal parts for clues.
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 05:19:03 PM
Thank you.  Judging by the weight alone it has to be from that era.  Ah, made in
America. ;)  Walt S
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 15, 2010, 05:38:02 PM
Quote from: Drew on March 15, 2010, 04:26:14 PM
There's a picture of one of those in Dooner's Telephone Collecting book listed as circa 1977. If it's from the 70's it could very well be a U.S. made unit. I thought all imported products need to be marked with the country of manufacture.  I guess you could look at the internal parts for clues.

Those are from the 70's, they were sold in the phone center stores, and I beleive the were made in the USA by WE, ISTR that they have a trimline ringer. Paul F has some info on his site, under designline.

They also came in light blue w/ silver trim and later in black w/ a rd TT dial.
I believe this Ivory-type color was the most common, then the blue and last was black. I have seen the Ivory color w/ the rd TT dial. I have a couple of boxes of these phones. I should have the BSP if you want a copy.


I would of paid $5.99 even w/o a discount.

Jim s.
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 05:43:38 PM
Thank you, Jim.  Now I'll keep a look out for one of the others!

Walt
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: Craig T on March 15, 2010, 05:45:01 PM
I had one last year, but sold it. I knew even less then than I know now about phones, I would like to see one in hand again with a bit of knowledge under me. Nice addition, for that money especially.
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 06:34:47 PM
I can't count the items I wish I'd bought along the way.  When you least expect it, Craig, you will find something even better!  Best, Walt
Title: Re: OOPS! I almost missed this one!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 19, 2010, 02:07:20 AM
I couldn't find this thread to post celebrity info on so I started a new one called Celebrity info.

They  were made at WE Indy. There were 8 variations of the early sets and by "78 they were down to 2.

Bsp #'s and comments are on the new thread.
Jim