The intent of this thread is to consolidate production information for soft 500/554's. There is a lot of variation on when different options were introduced. Some of the avaliable information comes from ads, Sales flyers, phamplets, BSP's, collector observations, ect.
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In 1954 the "Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone company of Virgina" issued a small pamphlete of Telephone services. This Booklet has color photos of the color 500 sets.
All cords shown are straight cords:
Beige-gray cord, Ivory-Ivory cord, Brown-Brown cord, Green-gray cord (all w/ matching dials)
Yellow-gray cord, Gray-gray cord, Red-Gray cord,Blue-gray cord. (All with black dials)
2-tone (black dial and handset)
Ivory-black cord, Red-black cord, Gray-gray cord, Green-gray cord.
Coiled cords were avliable (10" stretch to48")only for black sets ($1.00)
This phamplet appears to be an employee issued sales book w/ a lot of neat odd-ball 500 vintage phones/items. Mine is a reprint, the reprints may still be avaliable.
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I have seen 4-5 early colored (black dial) sets with colored dial plates and Black metal fingerwheels. I suspect these were made w/ the black fingerwheels I suspect these were factory.
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Below is a scan of an October 1955 "New Jersey Bell" bill insert. Note: all cords are coiled gray except Ivory.
I have other soft 500 referances that I will post as they turn up. Please share any related info, photos, and opinions with the forum.
Jim S.