My lastest acquisition, a "Jewel Box" telephone by Face Standard Italy:
At the time Face Standard was owned by ITT that probably also sold this model in North America.
(see my site for the folder: http://telephonecollectors.info/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=648&Itemid=2 (http://telephonecollectors.info/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=648&Itemid=2))
Very cool. Kind of space age looking. I've never seen one of those before. Nice color too.
I like it too, it's from October 17 1966.
it looks like it would be hard to answer with the handset all the way down in it like that
Quote from: Kennyc1955 on July 22, 2010, 07:20:31 PM
it looks like it would be hard to answer with the handset all the way down in it like that
Yes it is. When you look at the folder you can see the lady about to pick up the handset. It doesn't look very ergonomical.
Very stylish, but it looks rather impractical. Grabbing the handset looks to be a bit of a challenge, and dialing would be difficult for a person with short fingers.
I have seen these numerous times on ebay, but I never had any interest in owning one.
Larry
It looks Italian eh? It's interesting how phones develop a look depending on the culture that crafted them. A 706 looks very British, a 500 very American, the T65 looks dutch, and it's pretty easy to spot something made by the Soviet Union.
That this jewel box phone is from 1966 surprises me, it looks more like something from the mid 70's.
I've seen these occasionally on ebay in the various colors shown in the brochure, all with the ITT name (naturally). The red is the most striking color, I think.
i agree with everyone else, very stylish...but rather impractical, kind of like woman's shoes ::)
Speaking of shoes, it was also available with a leather cover!
There were at least two handset cord styles. I believe this coiled style was a later model. The flat retractible cords seemed to get tangled.
the leather one looks more like a toiletries kit.
my opinion is these phones are just flat out ugly i am not much on any thing except american
They are interesting and unusual looking. How do you pick up the receiver :-\
Quote from: HarrySmith on July 23, 2010, 07:45:25 AM
They are interesting and unusual looking. How do you pick up the receiver :-\
Hi Harry,
This is how:
This a really cool phone. I really like the styling and the simple lines. I have never seen one, but I will now be on the hunt for one.
Russ...
Remco:
Interesting. Any markings at the bottom?
A phone should also be able to be picked up and placed into working position with one motion. This phone obviously has to be maneuvered after it is picked up.
D/P
Again, I agree Dan. The picture of the ladies hand appears to be hanging up as she could not put her thumb & pinky in the position it is with the handset on the cradle. Looks very awkward to use but is still interesting, especially the leather one ;D
Like some Italian design it's not about function as much as it is about form. This phone pretty much breaks all the design rules of the Dreyfuss firm who crafted the WE 500, but hey it does it wearing leather and looking oh so chic. ;)
Answering it is really not as cumbersome as you might think. The ridge on the end of the handset provides a sure grip and it's relatively easy to slide the hand down the handset while picking it up. I'm sure that after using it regularly for a while it would become second nature.
BTW -- The leather phone also came in RED!
darn! Gotta have one in Red Leather ;D
Remco:
Maybe you can have yours upgraded to leather. ;D ;D
I would like to see a video of someone with short, fat fingers wearing a ring dialing one of these :).
Larry
Quote from: paul-f on July 23, 2010, 02:40:30 PM
Answering it is really not as cumbersome as you might think. The ridge on the end of the handset provides a sure grip and it's relatively easy to slide the hand down the handset while picking it up. I'm sure that after using it regularly for a while it would become second nature.
BTW -- The leather phone also came in RED!
Hello Paul,
Do you have any documentation about this phone?
Quote from: teka-bb on July 23, 2010, 04:48:08 PM
Do you have any documentation about this phone?
Sorry, I don't believe so. If I find anything, I'll let you know.
ITT had an Own-A-Phone program in the US -- similar to WE's Design Line products. There must be documentation on that somewhere, and it might include the Jewel Box. Perhaps someone in the group can provide a copy. It would be a great addition to your site.
it wobbles a bit with that one foot missing dont it
Harry,
There's also a leather set in GREEN! (The leather is quite dark green.)
I wonder if they also did leather covers in yellow and blue.
The coiled cord has a strange cross section.
Remco: Was this a common cord style in Europe?
Quote from: paul-f on July 24, 2010, 05:35:25 PM
Remco: Was this a common cord style in Europe?
No, it's not. I haven't seen it before.
Green too :-\
Very cool cord, I have never seen anything like that. Are these in your collection?
Quote from: HarrySmith on July 25, 2010, 08:54:34 AM
Are these in your collection?
Yes -- I have the ivory, red and green sets in leather. I collected them during my "leather fetish" period. some of the more common sets include the Contempra in 2 shades and the ATC Genie.
There's a web page coming when I find time to put it up. In the meantime, I've started a topic for leather sets. Hopefully others will add other leather covered sets.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3105.0
Quote from: paul-f on July 25, 2010, 01:41:58 PM
There's a web page coming when I find time to put it up.
Well... a few years have passed and the Jewel Box page hasn't made it to the top of the (long) to do list yet.