Classic Rotary Phones Forum

It is time once again to vote for the VERY BEST "Find" from all of the "Find of the Month" winners through 2016.

Take a few minutes to go through the list below. John "TelePlay" has created one post per entrant along with the brief details, a link to the original nomination and the separate topic on CRPF if there was one, and has included one picture of each contestant. The pictures are from the Find of the Month Winners List that John maintains of all of the winners.

There are twelve contestants to choose from so lets do THREE VOTES EACH and see who wins the coveted (limited edition) "Find of the YEAR - 2016" trophy!

Everyone should be able to come up with three favorites here so please try to use all THREE of your votes. If you inadvertently vote for less than three contestants, click the "Remove Vote" button at the bottom left of poll and then place your THREE VOTES again.

Thanks John for taking the time to put yet another "Find of Year" contest together. Much appreciated!

Terry

January 2016's "Winner":

zapper's Western Electric NOS in box black 500 dated 1952 $91 on eBay

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15441.msg161769#msg161769

zapper posted this about it:

WESTERN ELECTRIC NOS 500D DATED 1952 WITH BOX:  2CA RINGER 9-52, NETWORK 425B 8-52, MCD 52, HCD 52, 7A DIAL 9-52, COVER 9-8-52, RECEIVER CAP 9-52, RECEIVER 9-12-52, TRANSMITTER CAP 9-52, TRANSM9ITTER 425B 9-52, G1 HANDSET 9-52, Purchased for $91.00 on E Bay Item # : 201511418227

February 2016's "Winner":

LarryInMichigan's Rose Beige Kellogg K-500 for $34.99 shipping included

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15585.msg161950#msg161950

LarryInMichigan posted this about it:

I was hoping to nominate my rose beige Kellogg K-500 for January, but it was held up in the mail for a couple of extra days and just now arrived on the 1st of Feb.  Does it qualify for February? I paid $34.99, shipping included

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15590.msg161946#msg161946

March 2016's "Winner":

WEBellSystemChristian's 1959 Jade Green AE90 for $7.50 plus $5.50 shipping on eBay

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15770.msg165571#msg165571

WEBellSystemChristian posted this about it:

I'll nominate my 1959 Jade Green AE90 that I got on eBay for $7.50 and $5.50 shipping (part of a 10-phone lot; price divided among each phone). This one has an early painted hook and a great dial card!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15931.msg165570#msg165570

April 2016's "Winner":

Autonut's 1971 Prototype Contempra Speakerphone for $2.50 from a Thrift Shop

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15990.msg165994#msg165994

DavePEI posted this about it in his nomination:

I would like to nominate Doug, (Autonut)'s Prototype Contempra Speakerphone for Find of the Month for April. Found at a Belleville, Ontario Thrift store for $2.50. We did a lot of work confirming this indeed was a prototype, then it has also been confirmed as a prototype by John Tyson, the designer of the Contempra. John calls it, "a unique one-of-kind prototype that I designed and had built in Ottawa" It is indeed a Canadian first! An incredible find, Doug!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15993.0

May 2016's "Winner":

WEBellSystemChristian's 1955 Ivory WE 500 with original straight handset cord on eBay for $25 plus shipping.

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16114.msg168070#msg168070

WEBellSystemChristian posted this about it:

I'll nominate my dates-matching 1955 Ivory WE 500 with an original straight handset cord that I got for $25 plus shipping. The phone is just about perfect in every way, including a flawless straight handset cord!!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16149.0

June 2016's "Winner":

paul-f's WECo "development" Preset Dial Telephone dated 5-66 & s/n 110 $10.15 incl Shipping

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=15474.0

TelePlay posted this about it in his nomination:

I'd like to nominate paul-f's recent acquisition of a WE "development" Preset Dial Telephone dated 5-66 and with serial number 110. The intent of the phone was to insure totally accurate dialing of one preset phone number and only one phone number. An interesting concept for the mid 1960s. He got it from a Museum Auction for $5 plus shipping and fees.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16426.0

July 2016's "Winner":

Gary Millam's WE Dark Grey 500 on eBay for a BIN price of $49.00 with free shipping

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16437.msg170635#msg170635

Gary Millam posted this about it:

I would like to nominate my most recent purchase of a WE Dark Grey 500 for Find Of The Month for July. I found it on Ebay as a "Buy It Now" for $49.00 with free shipping. The seller had listed it as a Green 500 but after viewing the photos I realized it was Grey and not Green. It is in really nice condition with the only issue being a small break in the outer cover of the handset cord. All dates match to 4-56 through out the telephone. The original post on Ebay is included as are a couple of photos after I cleaned it up a bit.

August 2016's "Winner":

WEBellSystemChristian's 1956 Oxford Gray 554 found on ebay for $99 plus $19.99 shipping

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16507.msg171699#msg171699

WEBellSystemChristian posted this about it:

I'll nominate my 1956 Oxford Gray 554 that I found on ebay for $99 plus $19.99 shipping. The phone is crack-free, fade-free, and almost completely dates-matching.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16562

September 2016's "Winner":

Roody's undamaged Jade Green AE 50 with gold trim for $10 at a flea market

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16695.msg173146#msg173146

TelePlay posted this about it in his nomination:

I'd like to nominate Roody's recent flea market find. An undamaged (seems to have no cracks and/or holes) jade green AE 50 with possible gold trim for $10 - how about that. Granted, it needs a lot of elbow work but when restored, it will may be a "Back from the Dead" phone as well. Can't wait to see what it looks like when this tombstone/jukebox is cleaned up.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16757.0

October 2016's "Winner":

Kenton K's WE Green 1554 for $40 including shipping on eBay

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16858.msg175592#msg175592

Kenton K posted this about it:

Booo!  I'd like to nominate the 1554 I got this month completing my 10 button set. I had a really hard time finding untouched ten button wall sets, so it is a find of the month for me! I paid $40 w/ free shipping!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=13077.msg174728#msg174728

November 2016's "Winner":

WEBellSystemChristian's 1955 Red WE 500 for $20.50 plus $9.74 shipping on eBay

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17030.msg177047#msg177047

WEBellSystemChristian posted this about it:

I'll nominate my dates matching (minus the base plate, ringer, and network) 1955 Red 500, that bought on eBay for $20.50 plus shipping!

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17163.0

December 2016's "Winner":

TelePlay's Chrome AE "Cut Away" finger wheel c/w a North Gallion for $25 plus $13.85 shipping on eBay

Here is the original Find of the Month nomination:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17174.msg179149#msg179149

Teleplay posted this about it:

As a last second entry, I'd like to nominate my perfect chrome finish AE "Cut Away" finger wheel that I got for $25 plus $13.85 shipping as a BIN on eBay on December 19th at 4:34 in the morning, just in time for Christmas. Best part about the finger wheel is that it came with a very clean, complete and undamaged North Galion attached to it - thank you Santa. Looked at eBay solds and two such phones with full black finger wheel sold for about 3 times what I paid for this phone so I am thrilled to get my first chrome cut away. Never thought I could afford one.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17296.0

It is time once again to vote for the VERY BEST "Find" from all of the "Find of the Month" winners through 2016.

Take a few minutes to go through the list below. John "TelePlay" has created one post per entrant along with the brief details, a link to the original nomination and the separate topic on CRPF if there was one, and has included one picture of each contestant. The pictures are from the Find of the Month Winners List that John maintains of all of the winners.

There are twelve contestants to choose from so lets do THREE VOTES EACH and see who wins the coveted (limited edition) "Find of the YEAR - 2016" trophy!

Everyone should be able to come up with three favorites here so please try to use all THREE of your votes. If you inadvertently vote for less than three contestants, click the "Remove Vote" button at the bottom left of poll and then place your THREE VOTES again.

Thanks John for taking the time to put yet another "Find of Year" contest together. Much appreciated!

Terry

22 different voters have placed their votes for the Find of the Year - 2016 so far. The number of voters for a Find of the Year contest runs from a low of 23 to a high of 36 in previous years contests.

Let's try to set a new record this year so I will put several reminders to vote here through the week.

Terry

Are we allowed to comment, or not while voting?  One of them is familiar & has story behind it.   :)

--Bruce

Good question! Never thought about that before. Presumably it wouldn't affect voting which is almost over.

But, maybe comments about a particular phone would be better in the original topic about the phone. The link to the Find of the Month nomination is above  should be n the post above. Then from there a link should take you to the original topic about the phone. Or I can move it later if that is where it seems like it should be.

Terry

We've never had a discussion in the FOTY. All such discussion at this point would be campaigning for a phone which would be a bit unfair for one or two phones to the others that did not get that support.

All discussion of the phone should have taken place in the topic created by the owner when found and a link to that topic is placed at the bottom of each years post for each phone, if one exists. Anything and everything that could or should be said about the phone is it is own topic.

Some discussion of a phone takes place within the Find Of The Month nomination once and a while and we have always discouraged that to keep the Find of the Month limited to the few or many nominations. Discussion in the Find of the Month topic takes that topic off course, hijacks the topic, and thus sometimes a moderator find the need to split out that discussion to a new topic just about that phone. A discussion and multiple images of the nominated phone would be in it own topic. If 6 phones are nominated in any one month, there should be 8 replies, one for each phone plus the rules header and the winner announcement, and maybe a congrats from a few members to the winner as they see fit after the win.

Ideally, each phone would have one image in the monthly nomination and that image would come from the discussion of the topic started about the phone in Auction Talk, Collector's Corner or General Discussion (typically these 3 are the home to all phones discussions but not always).

Once we get to find of the year, everything that is known about the phone should be in it own, single topic and the links to that topic and the Find of the Month nomination which may have minimal discussion of the phone are in each of the 12 Monthly FOTY nominations posted as 12 replies. At that point all that is needed is for members to vote for some of the 12.

12 phones are in the running for Find of the Year meaning there 14 replies, one for each of the 12 phone plus the rules header and the winner announcement, and maybe a thank you from the winner and a congrats from a few other members as they see fit after the win.

That's it for the "Find of the YEAR" competition for 2016!

As always, there were plenty of great contestants since each one of them had already won a Find of the Month competition through the year. Everyone had significant numbers of votes showing that they were all valid "Finds" to many members here. This year we didn't have to go to a Run Off vote as the winner was fairly evident very soon after the voting began. Thanks to All the contestants and to everyone who voted.

Congratulations to Roody and his Jade Green AE 50 not with Chrome Trim but with the Gold Matte Trim that he snagged for the unbelievable price of $10 at a flea market.

Below is your "Find of the YEAR" trophy that John "TelePlay" slaved away at for most of the year in his very extensive metal, wood, plastic & electrical work shops located behind the hidden door in the back of the pantry cupboard just off of his kitchen! Thanks John!

Here is the "Find of the Month - Winners List" for all contests to date:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12971.0

Terry

Congrads to Roody -- amazing find!  Beats anything I have or ever will have!

Would also like to compliment to Gary Millam who must be very observant.  Think I saw that same gray 500 being advertised as green, but dismissed it as poor photography.  :o

Best wishes!

--Bruce