Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Post your "Find of the Month" for January 2015 here.

A "Find of the Month" is a telephone or a related item that you acquired during the month that you are particularly excited about either because of its rarity, the difficulty you had in trying to find it for your collection or the exceptional "deal" that you got on it.

The "Find of the Month" contest is focused on the collection of telephones rather than on their sale for a profit. To be eligible for the "Find of the Month" contest:

- The finder must have personally acquired and actually own the item.
- The item can be acquired for free but it can not be a gift or present from anyone.
- The item (or any of its components) cannot be put up for sale during the contest period.
- Only one "Find" per owner can be in a "Find of the Month" contest.


A Nomination Should Include:

1) at least one picture of the item.
2) the price & shipping cost.
3) where and/or how it was found.
4) the forum link if discussed in another topic on CRPF.
5) the eBay link if won there.
6) and other information of importance about the find.


Ideally your item would be posted in its own thread elsewhere on the forum such as "Auction Talk", "Flea Market/Yard Sale Finds" or "Collectors Corner" Board. Then you or anyone else can nominate your "Find" to the Current "Find of the Month" thread by posting at least one picture and other details including the price paid, any shipping costs and a link to the original discussion on the forum. It is not a requirement that your find be posted elsewhere on the forum but the more details the better.

Nominations of phones listed in other forum discussion topics, by members that do not own the item but realize it is indeed a "find" worthy of being nominated as a "Find of the Month" candidate, are always welcome.

Please pick your best "Find" to submit for the month limiting your entry to one phone or one "Find" that might include multiple items. If you have already entered for the month and come up with something even better either submit your new find indicating that it replaces your previous entry OR you can enter your new Find in next months contest.

TelePlay has grabbed pictures of all of the "Find of the Month" winners since we started this back in 2010 and he has put them into albums on PhotoBucket. Thanks John.

To check them out, click  --> HERE <-- (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Find%20of%20the%20Month)

Terry

When I was on eBay searching for yet another $0.99 phone, I came across this red WE2500 with a starting bid of $0.10.  I set a maximum bid of $3.50.  A couple of days later I get outbid, so I increase my maximum bid to $12.50.  I ended up getting it for $10 plus $12.85 shipping.  The handset cord is probably long enough to be a line cord!

www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Western-Electric-Bell-System-2500DMG-Desk-Telephone-Not-Tested-AS-IS/161 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Western-Electric-Bell-System-2500DMG-Desk-Telephone-Not-Tested-AS-IS/161)   EDIT: fixed link is below; link picture added for posterity

Red-Western-Electric-Bell-System-2500DMG-Desk-Telephone-Not-Tested-AS-IS (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Western-Electric-Bell-System-2500DMG-Desk-Telephone-Not-Tested-AS-IS-/161528667084)

This phone is a modular phone made in 1977.  There is a red 1969 WE2500 on eBay that probably has close to the same length of handset cord as this one.

My phone can also be found at:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13273.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13273.0)

Wow!  I had no idea the handset cord would stretch to 25 feet!

I bought this off E-Bay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-AE-AUTOMATIC-ELECTRIC-BLACK-ROTARY-DIAL-MONOPHONE-D-780656-A6-/111561077740?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=fIOMtBhI2aQVnBcQFQeP8SQG%252BWk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc) on January 4 for $12.50 plus $9 shipping.

The pictures are as it arrived, pre-cleanup.

I am renominating SargeGuys Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company Badges that were nominated last month. Sarge had two entries last month which is against the Find of the Month rules so lets give these a second chance this month.

Here is a topic about te badges:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13164.0

And here is what SargeGuy had to say about them:

Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company stuff is very rare, and it one of my collecting interests.  These were purchased off eBay for $128 ea.  While not exactly a bargains the time to buy these is when you see them.  After purchasing them I did a bit of detective work to track down their provenance.  Eleven badges were in the possession of the grandson of the director of Southern Mass.  and were sold at an estate sale of his grandson.  Some were sold to a dealer in PA while one was kept by the purchaser.  All but one showed up on eBay in the same week.  Of the eleven So. Mass. Tel. Co. badges known to exist, there is only one Inspector Badge and three with raised bells.

I would like to re-nominate LarryInMichigan's Australian 802 (first nominated in December but retracted when his soft plastic grey Banjo was nominated) that he found on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Retro-Red-Rotary-Dial-Phone-Telephone-/321611106492

for $27.09 plus $15.80 $10.80 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13164.msg139460#msg139460) for shipping - a total of $42.89 $37.89, less than what one would pay for shipment alone if this phone was sold by a seller in Australia. I've seen a lot of these listed on eBay from Australia but have never been able to cough up the funds to buy one. This one is in very nice condition with all the correct cords so a very nice find, indeed, for Larry this month. This phone is being discussed on the forum at this link:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13316.0

I'll nominate my all-1956 (except for the cords) WE 500 for $21.05 on ebay. Almost everything is dated between February and March of that year.

It looks pretty rough, but the restoration is coming along smoothly!

EDIT: Restored photo now included.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13466.0

I've never seen one with a 2prong plug before.  Most unusual.

Quote from: andre_janew on January 21, 2015, 01:25:27 PM
I've never seen one with a 2prong plug before.  Most unusual.

Yeah, two of them broke off at some point. The plug is pretty cheaply built, anyway.

Quote from: andre_janew on January 21, 2015, 01:25:27 PM
I've never seen one with a 2prong plug before.  Most unusual.

Good eyes Andre! That made me laugh!

If any more break off it will be a "1 Prong Plug"!

Terry

Quote from: AE_Collector on January 21, 2015, 02:39:19 PM
If any more break off it will be a "1 Prong Plug"!

Terry

And then if the final one breaks off, it will be an Unplug!
Dave

I would like to nominate my entire phone haul from Maitland but I realize I can only choose one.
I had a tough time with making a choice.
I was torn between the 1950 500 and the AE 35.
Finally chose the AE 35 as I believe it is harder to find, at least here in the US.
So, here it is my painted Green AE35. Picked up at Maitland from Roger Conklin's collection for $5.00
I will start a thread once I begin restoration.

Well you can nominate groups of phones bought at once though I guess it might be a gray area whether these were bought at once or not. BUT, I think single items almost always do better here anyway so your AE35 is likely better on its own. You can always run the 500 next month Harry.

I am still trying to find the pictures I took at Rogers place. I distictly remember seeing that green painted AE 35 on the wall. I have a great picture filing system here, everything in its proper folders on the computer until I try to find a specific picture. Then it is as if I didnt even have my camera with me that day at all!

Roger worked for Nortel for so long that years ago I had sent him a 1990 (ish) phone that Nortel designed for BC Tel as their every day rental set. It was called "Heritage". I was impressed that day to see that the phone was beside his chair as his "Daily Driver"!

Terry

Maybe next month for the 500 is a good idea.
I remember Roger talking about that phone you gave him.
I am very glad we made that trip and got to see Roger, so excited about his phones and the stories to go with them. He had a story for every phone!

I was asked a few weeks ago on another thread below, "I hope you have plans for all this stuff when you pass on..... where does all this stuff wind up after you leave this life"

I smart assed an answer "yard sale." .................John....I apologize.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8211.msg140843#msg140843

That being said, how could a AE35 come from Roger Conklin's estate for $5. One of the Pioneer's of our hobby...plus a real great guy. Ray Kotke and Roger's daughter were/are a couple. How could this possibly happen?

Harry.....not a slam as you got a HUGE deal for $5 but WTH!!

Janet does know the value of my collection, but there WILL be a talk with her and the kids this weekend. Twelve pics of a Blue 302 and list it for $1.00...Blue Telephone.  Some might fall through the cracks, but that happens anyway. My grandchildren need an education.,,if not a good hobby  8)

This is good for Harry, but very sad for the relatives of my friend. This was a true eye opener......Doug

When I made my offers I thought it was a badly painted 50. I offered $10.00 for the unpainted 50 next to it! Roger's son was quick to accept all my offers. Keith told me when I picked them up at the show that I got a great deal and he wished he had looked closer. I guess he spotted it too. He also said he was happy it was me getting the deal. I still ended up giving Roger's family over $100.00.

     I humbly submit my project Ivory 302, arrived today from Kenton Klickety-Klack. $50.00, plus $12 shipping. First coloured 300 for me! 8)

    To avoid redundancy, the other pics are in the classified>>For Sale section.

Best regards!

I am going to nominate one heck of a "Find" in every sense of the word that Dave "wds" stumbled upon this month. Dave hasn't divulged all of the usual info that we would like about "Finds of the Month" but it is such an incredible find that I think that it needs to be here for January's "Find of the Month". I am assuming that he got it for apretty good price as it doesn't sound as though Dave was out shoping for a red AE 1A when he crossed paths with it.

Just like Sebels recent Ivory AE 1A it has cradle issues but of all the plastic parts that could be broken on a Coloured AE 1A, the cradle is probably the best part to have been broken as metal reproductions are available.

Congratulations Dave!

Here is the topic where Dave introduced us to his latest acquisition, a Chinese Red AE 1A with Gold Matte trim:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13515.0

Uh oh, looks like I posted this nomination a bit too soon. Per the rules a nomination can't be for sale or sold during the contest month. Still a Fantastic find or Dave, just not eligible for the contest. :)

Terry

The "Find of the Month" contest is focused on the collection of telephones rather than on their sale for a profit. To be eligible for the "Find of the Month" contest:

- The item (or any of its components) cannot be put up for sale during the contest period.

I'll throw my hat into the ring. I know it's not as exciting as some of the other phones, but my "1 and a half" pink Trimline I received in the mail today has made my week.  It included both a pink wall and desktop base, and is not yellowed as much as the picture from the auction suggested.  $pent 45.61 on it, but fills a color hole in my collection! (I know I can go Pink Princess, but this shows off the pink - especially right next to my Aqua Blue 10 button Trimline - as well as the yellow, green and ivory wall Trimlines I have so far...)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-Bell-Sysrtem-Western-Electric-Pink-Rotary-Dial-Trimline-Telephones-/331455770281

The phone works - dials out and rings, but needs a spring for the wall unit's plunger.

And it's Pink!

Jim

Nice find, Jim!

Your pink Trimline is just as valid as any other entry possible! 8)

Receiving it has made you very happy, filled a hole in your collection, and you are quite excited about it.

Certainly seems to represent the spirit of FOTM material, and the reason to post them, to me. ;)

Congratulations, and enjoy your 'new' telephone! Good luck in the contest! Keep up the good work!

Best regards!

Valid entry indeed.  However, will the critics vote for it?  That's the question!

OK, this is a first for me. My find is a 1950's type 9A telephone booth. I picked this up for $350.00 CDN. Asking price was $450.00 CDN. A friend of mine knew that I was collecting phones and he played hockey with the guy that had this booth for sale. The only other cost I spend was about $30.00 in gas driving from Belleville, Ontario to Peterborough Ontario and back. I believe that there would be less of this type of Telephone Booth than any other, because of them being out in the open elements vs the indoor covered type.




http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13562.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13562.0)

Can you narrow down your "low ball offer" a bit for us Tom?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTHENTIC-ANTIQUE-United-Telephone-Porcelain-Enameled-sign-REAL-McCOY-/371233849047

Terry

Quote
Asking price was about $400. I offered $200 and it was accepted. Plus shipping $15.00

This showed up on eBay with a very high price and a "Make Offer" option. Asking price was $375. I offered $200 and it was accepted. Plus shipping $15. I saw it almost as soon as it hit eBay and made a offer and surprisingly it was accepted. It is a rare sign in excellent+ condition.

Okay, the nomination period has closed so it's time to vote for the January 2015 Find of the Month. There are 10 contestants this month so lets do two votes each and everyone try to be certain to use both of your votes.

If you inadvertently only vote for one item, click the "remove vote" button to the left below the poll results and then vote again for two items.

The nominations for January cover a wide and varied range so it will be interesting to see which of the nominees will be selected by the membership as the telephone or a telephone related item as the one item they would have liked to have found for their personal collection or feel it is a truly great find for the new owner's collection.

. . . for Terry

An early reminder to cast your two (2) votes in the January Find of the Month contest (poll).

About 4 days left in the voting.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13371.msg139986#msg139986

Okay, that's it for January, the first month's competition of 2015.

While Autonut's 1950's type 9A telephone booth was solid competition throughout the voting period, it couldn't close the gap with HarrySmith's painted Green AE 35 which took an early lead in the voting and stayed in front during the entire seven day voting period.

As such, it was the $5 green AE 35 that captured the award for "Find of the Month - January 2015." Congratulations to HarrySmith for both his excellent find and winning the award (and with something other than a WECo 500, quite a feat these days).

Thanks to everyone for their entries into the competition and thanks to all who voted.

Here is the "Find of the Month - Winners List" for all contests to date:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.0

Terry

Thank you, Thank you. Please calm down, Thank You.
OK, I would like to thank all the little people without whom this moment would not be possible.
I expect the "check is in the mail"?

I am going to enter my 1950 500 I picked up at Maitland for this month. Has there ever been a back to back winner?

Harry....are you leaving the AE35 as it is or stripping it? It sure is a beauty.

As for the WE 500 set, can you list a January find in February? Curious minds want to know  ::)  ....Doug

Doug, I have not decided yet. Every time I show pictures to non-phone people it is the first one they point out, "What a neat color" or something like that. I was going to start a thread here about it when I start clean up.

I am not sure if it is OK to post in the next month. There already is one entered for this month that was from last month.

Quote from: HarrySmith on February 08, 2015, 09:29:07 AM
Has there ever been a back to back winner?

In a word, YES, but not since 2011:

2011 - 07   John S  **  collection of 3 WECo sets
2011 - 06   JimH  **  202/D1 c/w E1 handset, #4 dial and 684 subset
2011 - 05   JimH  **  1958 White 500
2011 - 04   pbghmike77  **  28 B's & D's

Quote from: Doug Rose on February 08, 2015, 09:37:17 AM
As for the WE 500 set, can you list a January find in February? Curious minds want to know  ::)  ....Doug

Doug, and Harry.

Terry has stated somewhere in this topic that a  member can nominate another members phone or phone item (or their own phone or phone item) "found" in January in February if the owning member had a different phone nominated in January (to get around the two phones in one month rule); the phone was "found" in January but not received in the mail until February or the phone was received in the last one or two days of the month with not enough time to post it in January.

January and February are used as examples, this would apply to any consecutive months. We saw this with two member's items in December and January (Larry's phones and Greg's pins). There is that leeway but as far as I can remember, those are the only exceptions. Terry may want to chime in on this and correct me if I misspoke, if he can tear himself away from that cold Pina Colada stuck to his hand long enough to log in and type something coherent . . .  ;)

-----------

EDIT:  Found it, or at least one occurrence of it - "If you have already entered for the month and come up with something even better either submit your new find indicating that it replaces your previous entry OR you can enter your new Find in next months contest."

Sorry guys....only kidding on February posts, a good phone is a good phone no matter when it was purchased.

Harry....if it was mine I would strip it as bakelite is so easy to strip.....but you are correct, it is a neat color. A pleasant dilemma indeed!!...Doug

Quote from: TelePlay on February 08, 2015, 10:17:12 AM
Terry may want to chime in on this and correct me if I misspoke, if he can tear himself away from that cold Pina Colada stuck to his hand long enough to log in and .....

Nope....sorry....no time, Gotta Go.....

Terry