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"Mushroom" phone

Started by Perry, January 29, 2009, 11:30:15 PM

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Perry

I saw this on eBay. I have been looking for one of these 500u phones since I learned they exist from reading Dennis' web pages. I would love to have one in aqua. That's the phone I covet most, but I've never even seen one for sale. I would take one in any color but pink, if I could find it, though. This one has a cracked case, too, but might make a nice project phone:
http://tinyurl.com/pink-500-mushroom-phone ( dead link 07-14-21 )

Dennis Markham

It's on my radar.  The current bidder is a phone guy.  I'll bet it doesn't sell for $11.00, even cracked.  I'd love to get one in aqua too.  They generally bring big bucks, as you know.

http://www.telephonearchive.com/phones/we/we500.html

bingster

Is the key in the bottom left a switch for the light?
= DARRIN =



McHeath

Yes, it is a switch.  Do you all really think that the date on this phone is March of 1950?  Clearly it was refurbed at some point to get the pink livery, but could the chassis be that old?  If so it's about the oldest 500 I've seen on e-bay.

I guess it could become aqua!   ;D  Just a little paint....

HobieSport

Here is Marks' page on the "Mushroom" phone just to point out if anyone hasn't read it:

http://tinyurl.com/aee3m5

Dennis Markham

It appears as though someone bought that mushroom phone as the item is longer available for sale.  I'll bet they danged a carrot in front of the seller's nose for that phone.  Even with the crack I think it would have gotten some action at the end.

Perry

Yes, it looks like someone made an off-eBay transaction. I wonder why sellers do that, rather than just let the auction play itself out? I have to think that the items would almost certainly sell for more with multiple bidders involved.

I guess it's also possible that the seller did a little research on the phone, realized what he had, and decided not to sell it.

McHeath

The seller certainly did not seem to be aware of what they had.  A phone like that, properly presented, would fetch a pretty penny methinks. 

Dan

How much do these generally go for on average (uncracked case, deserible color like blue, grey, brown,  red)? I've never seen one in person.
"Imagine how weird telephones would look if our ears weren't so close to our mouths." - Steven Wright

BDM

Seeeesh, I remember years ago passing on them. Back in the 80s I had no interest at all in 500 series phones. I've run across several in that time. Cheap, and I passed on them. Who'd figure :-X
--Brian--

St Clair Shores, MI

Dan/Panther

BDM;
That just goes with the times. Right now there are probably items we all pass on, not realizing in 25 years they will be desirable collectables.
D/P

The More People I meet, The More I Love, and MISS My Dog.  Dan Robinson

BDM

Quote from: Dan/Panther on January 31, 2009, 06:26:10 PM
BDM;
That just goes with the times. Right now there are probably items we all pass on, not realizing in 25 years they will be desirable collectables.
D/P

Hindsight is bliss ;)
--Brian--

St Clair Shores, MI

Dennis Markham

I just got a notification from eBay that an item I had been watching was re-listed.  It was this pink mushroom but as soon as I got it it indicated that it sold as a Buy It Now on the 3rd (yesterday).

http://tinyurl.com/dbfxja

More than I would have expected for a phone that is damaged and has the key missing.  If I were to guess I would say the bidder is "chadstermi"  He's a phone guy.  You may see this phone again some day.  Feedback numbers match.