http://tinyurl.com/25gnufj ( dead link 05-31-21 )
I haven't seen one like this before. It seems there's a crank where the dial might be, and the back ears on the cradle are taller than those in front.
It is a Leich telephone.The ears are longer in back so the set could be used as a wall set. This set could be converted to a dial set with a conversion kit.
The dial opening is larger so there was a rubber gaskit to fill the gap.Automatic Electric might have taken over the production of these sets toward the end of production. Earlier sets had a metal baseplate,later bakelite. I think they started building them in the late 1940s
Robby
These phones show up frequently on ebay and elsewhere. I think that the starting bid is much too high on this one.
Larry
I agree with Larry, you used to be able to buy these all day for $10 and can still find them for that amount. There is one seller on eBay (and his wife) that take the magnetos out of these and constantly get $50 for the magneto alone. That always makes me cringe. Why would someone pay $50 for the magneto when you can get the whole phone for $10? That's what happens when you don't do your homework. The Leich phone is typically one of the most fragile Bakelite phones ever invented.
Dougpav
I seem to run into them in rural areas where Independent phone companies were used. They do seem plentiful in antique stores. I was in Iowa a year or so ago and stopped at several. They each had a couple of these.
Our family had a crank desk phone, probably late 1950's when we lived in a small farming community here in Michigan. It must have been one of these Leich phones.
They are a decent looking phone with a dial. Here is a reference with the 2nd pic showing the dial adapter.
Dougpav
Thanks, everyone. :)
So, if used as a wall set, I presume the dial would have been on top. It could not have been hung very high on the wall, or else the users could never see the dial very well. :-[
Keith,
When the phone is mounted on a wall, the dial is rotated 180 deg. There were a number of wall phones which had their dials above the handset cradle, such as the SC 1211, Kellogg 9917, and AE 50.
Larry
Here are several set up for wall use.
there is one here like Larrys they want 60 for it with the subset. I think thats to high
Those last sets are a newer series that use components that are similar to 500 set components.I think they were available in the same colors as 500 sets.I have a red set but I am missing the handset.
Robby
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on September 07, 2010, 08:07:01 AM
These phones show up frequently on ebay and elsewhere. I think that the starting bid is much too high on this one.
Larry
Apparently everyone else thought the same thing. I tuned in just in time to watch the last couple of minutes go by w/o any bids. I hope the seller didn't pay too much for it in the first place.
Quote from: paul-f on September 07, 2010, 10:22:39 AM
Here are several set up for wall use.
Are these yours? I like the green one.
i dont like the pinkish red one :-X :-X
Quote from: Kennyc1955 on September 07, 2010, 01:36:22 PMi dont like the pinkish red one :-X :-X
It looks more "watermelon" to me. :D
they remind me of upside down mickey mouse heads
There was a thread about Leich convertibles a while back: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2235.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2235.0).
Larry
The first one discussed and pictured is a Leich 901 where as the colored ones are 6xx series I think. Either 601's or are the 605' ...can't recall. Leich 901's most often are Magneto. I have three of them and wouldn't mind getting or converting one of mine to dial. By the way, Leich is pronounced "Like" for those who don't know how to pronounce Leich.
Terry
Quote from: Brinybay on September 07, 2010, 01:34:18 PM
Quote from: paul-f on September 07, 2010, 10:22:39 AM
Here are several set up for wall use.
Are these yours? I like the green one.
The turquoise one is mine. I have some others that I haven't photographed yet. The other two are auction photos. I suspect the "red" one is a lousy photo with the color altered by the background, poor lighting or photo editing software. It should be like the Western red.
Quote from: ae_collector on September 07, 2010, 02:36:04 PM
By the way, Leich is pronunced "Like" for those who don't know how to pronounce Leich.
Terry
I like Leich! :D
Quote from: Brinybay on September 07, 2010, 08:30:18 PM
Quote from: ae_collector on September 07, 2010, 02:36:04 PM
By the way, Leich is pronunced "Like" for those who don't know how to pronounce Leich.
Terry
I like Leich! :D
Me To Too
Terry
Quote from: Wallphone on September 07, 2010, 08:50:55 AM
I agree with Larry, you used to be able to buy these all day for $10 and can still find them for that amount. There is one seller on eBay (and his wife) that take the magnetos out of these and constantly get $50 for the magneto alone. That always makes me cringe. Why would someone pay $50 for the magneto when you can get the whole phone for $10? That's what happens when you don't do your homework. The Leich phone is typically one of the most fragile Bakelite phones ever invented.
Dougpav
Just reading this post since I have a couple of Leich 901s, and I gave the magnetos away because I'm converting them to dial operation.
Just a thought: They're probably getting $50 and up for the magnetos because they're not being used in telephones... ;D
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-make-a-fish-shocker (https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-make-a-fish-shocker)