Auction 170: AB Ericsson (1895) Telephone & Switchboard - Ended 4-09-15

[TelePlay]

New forum members are very welcome and encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. No one knows the winning bid on any auction until it ends. However, it is important to get your guess in before someone else grabs your guess.

Just listed in a 10 day auction with no reserve (with thanks to Fabius for the heads up on this auction) is something unlike anything we've seen in an auction contest in a long time, if ever. It's an AB Ericsson Telephone & Switchboard. Now, that's something we all have several of in boxes in the basement, right? This should be an interesting contest with an edge to our friends on the other side of the pond.

It was listed at $0.99 with $164.98 for standard shipping from Cumberland, Rhode Island, United States. It has 2 bids pushing it up to $1.35 as this contest starts. I'm thinking there has to be an upside to this contest but how much is the question. So, once again, who best knows what this phone will sell for when the actions ends?

The seller listed it as an "Rare Antique Patented 1895 AB Ericsson Telephone & Switchboard, Sweden, NR  (Original & Compete, No Reserve! Possible Free Delivery)" with the item condition as "Used" and " - - - " with the auction listing description saying " ...... The only markings on this large 8 ¾ inch wide by 32 inch tall by 8 ½ inch deep Switchboard Telephone is around the hand held receiver. It reads, "Made in Sweden by A. B. Ericsson & Co. Stockholm Patentd Oct 29, 1895." The Ericsson Telephone company made some of the best looking telephones at the turn of the 19th century. I did find a couple examples of Switchboard Telephones, but this is the only 20 line example I could find. ... This is a recent fresh pick and is in original unrestored condition. You will see in out photographs that it is complete condition including the insides. ... There is no reserve on this rare Eriksson Switchboard Telephone and we give a 100% guarantee that the high bidder will be totally satisfied with its age, quality, condition and authenticity or all of their money will be returned.  **  There is a $30 handling charge included in the calculator to cover the cost of skidding this 50lb phone so that it is not damaged in shipping!  **   POSSIBLE FREE DELIVERY! ...... **If you win an auction and plan to arrange for a Delivery or Local Pickup, PLEASE get in contact with us BEFORE Paying your invoice! This is very important. Thank you!** I live in Rhode Island and travel between southern New Hampshire and Eastern Maryland almost every week. I would gladly meet the high bidder anywhere along my route, and deliver this large heavy telephone for free. If you do decide to have a delivery Please, contact us before you pay for the auction. You will also find out my scheduled course down Route 95 from Southern New Hampshire, down through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Southern New York, New Jersey (New Jersey Turnpike), into Northern Delaware and down the Eastern Side of Maryland.  If a meeting is not possible, I'm positive we can pack this telephone properly.  Please send us your zip code and we will send you a quote for the shipping costs. Remember if you are the high bidder and you plan on a delivery, do not pay for the item right away and contact us for details"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381211129517  ( there are more pictures in the eBay listing )


NOTE: we will use a 3% gap rule between guesses to prevent crowding. As such, guess gaps of 6+% can be split. I'll help with these as the auction goes forward and guesses are entered. Since this is a rare item, keep in mind that everyone who places a guess is entitled to one guess revision. All guesses, original and revised, must be submitted at least 24 hours before the auction ends. Having no idea of what this is worth, or what someone is willing to pay for it, I would suggest waiting a few days to see where the price goes before placing a guess. Just a suggestion for this item.

It's another chance to move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- list,

     . . . for as twocvbloke said,   ---> "You gotta be in it to win it !!!" "

If you want to see the phones of past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <-


S C O R E B O A R D

$     425.00 - McHeath  ( 16 )
$     625.00 - AE_Collector  ( 1 )
$     687.50 - TelePlay  ( 17 )
$     750.00 - andre_janew  ( 4 )
$     810.00 - poplar1  ( 6 )
$     875.00 - wds  ( 12 )
$     925.00 - Sargeguy  ( 2 )
$     970.00 - Mr. Bones ( 15 )   ---   awaiting a revised guess
$     970.40 - Autonut  ( 13 )
$  1,000.00 - tallguy58  ( 5 )
$  1,045.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 11 )
$  1,111.00 - Kenton K  ( 9 )
$  1,200.00 - Russ Kirk  ( 14 )
$  1,250.00 - Fabius  ( 3 )
$  1,346.00 - twocvbloke  ( 7 )
$  1,400.00 - HarrySmith  ( 8 )
$  1,500.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 10 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $1,675.00



Early Morning Auction Status

03-30-15     Listed       $        0.99
03-31-15     9 Bids       $      26.00
04-01-15   18 Bids       $    112.50
04-02-15   18 Bids       $    112.50
04-03-15   20 bids       $    160.27
04-04-15   21 bids       $    172.50
04-05-15   22 bids       $    175.88
04-06-15   22 bids       $    175.88
04-07-15   24 bids       $    203.38
04-08-15   25 bids       $    208.50
04-09-15   25 bids       $    208.50
04-09-15   16 bidders, 63 bids $1,675.00  Ended at 20:32 PDT

[AE_Collector]

Absolutely no idea......

$625

Terry

[TelePlay]

Seems this auction has been cancelled by the seller for some reason. I'm leaving this up in case it was an error in the listing, as stated, and the seller decides to re-list the item over the next few days.

Stay tuned . . .

[Sargeguy]

It's back...http://www.ebay.com/itm/381211129517 

I'll guess $925

[TelePlay]

It's back...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381211129517 

Yes, it is, and thanks to Sargeguy for finding it and posting the update. The top contest post has been revised to include the new eBay listing number and the bids, all 18 of them now, have pushed the price up to $112.50 at the time of this post.

Guess away . . . . ! ! !

[Fabius]

$1250

[andre_janew]

I'll go with $750 please.

[tallguy58]

$1,000

[poplar1]

$810

[twocvbloke]

$1346, cos I was thinking about a Hoover Junior model 1346 I had, not sure why I was thinking about it....

[HarrySmith]

$1,000.00



EDIT-------$1400.00

[Kenton K]

$1111

[kleinkaliber]

$1500. I usually just give these away, but maybe someone will be willing to spend a little on this one.

[WesternElectricBen]

$1045, please.

[wds]

$875