Auction 106: Rare 1939 Western Electric 302 Bakelite Prototype

[TelePlay]

While auctions with a reserve are "almost never" put up as a contest, another exception is being made here because of the rarity of this phone. As part of this auction, the right is hereby reserved to cancel this auction completely with no winner if the auction bids DO NOT exceed the reserve, whatever that might be, when the eBay auction ends.

This phone started at 50¢ and in about ONE hour, 4 bidders ran it up to $117.50. With just under 7 days left in this 7 day auction, it will be interesting to watch what happens, to see if the reserve is met and if so, how much over the reserve this rare phone will go. As with the last "reserve" contest, if the reserve is not met, this auction contest will be cancelled with no winner. Take a guess and you "may" be the winner.

The seller listed it as an "Western Electric RARE 302 Bakelite 1939 Desk Telephone Prototype Bell System" with the item condition as " - - " and states "This is a one of a kind Bakelite 302. The date on the ringer is 10/39. The telephone has the early small plungers. Housing,network,and condenser  all are  marked 4579 so they matcmh, other parts may be marked that I cannot see. Feet are unique. Base is like none I have seen before. Housing is thick. Paper inside I do not think was opened until I opened it.Paper  form is P-244836 D numbers on form are D-97464 & D-97465. I believe this to be one of a kind. There is a smear of Magenta paint on the back which I believe once was some special marking placed there by W/E. It is no longer readable. It is possible it was a prototype for the 302 in Bakelite before they decided on thermal plastic. If that is the case it is the only known Bakelite 302 to exist. There is no handset,I believe it would have had a very early E-1 with no lines. This phone is the 302 missing link. Buyer must have insurance on this item and may want next day shipping to minimize handling.".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111193734647

[[ A discussion of this phone can be found on the forum at this link: -> Rare 302 Bakelite Prototype <- ]]<

Still another chance to either move up a rung or to get onto the -> Contest Standings <- list, you have to play to "maybe" win!


New members to the forum are hereby invited, are always very welcome and are encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. No one knows where the fickle finger of fate will end up on any of these eBay auctions. However, it does pay to get your guess in early, before someone else grabs your guess. I will be watching guesses and helping members as the contest progresses to prevent crowding under Rule #3. With that said, have at it . . .

If you want to check out all of the phones that have been in past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <- (link works, really!)


S C O R E B O A R D

$    995.96 - Dan  ( 11 )
$ 1,330.00 - Jim S.  ( 15 )
$ 1,400.00 - Sargeguy  ( 8 )
$ 1,600.00 - wds  ( 16 )
$ 1,800.00 - Gilas  ( 12 )
$ 2,000.00 - Russ Kirk  ( 18 )
$ 2,125.00 - TelePlay  ( 19 )
$ 2,250.00 - K1WI  ( 9 )
$ 2,500.00 - Kenton K  ( 6)
$ 2,750.00 - DavePEI  ( 4 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $2,672.00
$ 3,000.00 - Doug Rose  ( 1 )
$ 3,150.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 17 )
$ 3,300.01 - baldopeacock  ( 13 )
$ 3,575.00 - tallguy58  ( 7 )
$ 4,200.00 - southernphoneman  ( 3 )
$ 4,725.00 - AE_Collector  ( 2 )
$ 5,500.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 5 )
$ 7,500.00 - McHeath  ( 10 )
$10,001.01 - HarrySmith  ( 14 )



Early Morning Auction Status Changes

10-19-13    Listed  $       0.50
10-20-13  11 bids  $    305.00
10-21-13  14 bids  $    430.00
10-22-13  16 bids  $    560.00 ,
10-24-13  20 bids  $    810.00 ,  
10-26-13  21 bids  $ 1,025.00
10-26-13  13 bidders, 25 bids $2,672.00  Ended 09:48:22 PDT

[Doug Rose]

thanks John.....I'll start at $3000, although I would not be surprisesd at five figures.....Doug

[AE_Collector]

No one knows where the fickle finger of fate will end up on any of these eBay auctions.

                                         $4725.00
                                                !
                                                !
                                                !

[southernphoneman]

$4200.00

[DavePEI]

$2750.00

[kleinkaliber]

5500.00

[Kenton K]

2500

[tallguy58]

$3575

[Sargeguy]

$1400

[K1WI]

   $2250

[McHeath]

$7,500 clams and not a penny less!

[Dan]

995.96

[Gilas]

1800 here

[baldopeacock]

$3300.01

[HarrySmith]

$11,001.01

Misssed that one, modified

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EDIT: Changed back to the original guess of $10,001.01 on 10-22 at 9:30 PM CST