Phone Index and 8 Digit Number Question

[Slal]

Hi everyone,

Picked up this little knick-knack as accessory item.  Think it cleaned up nicely & looks better with a new coat of paint.

Anyone know how old it might be?

If unclear in the photo, she's written Adam Kennedy 2307 - 3033

An eight digit number would be circa...  ???

Thanks!

[Victor Laszlo]

probably not an 8-digit phone number, at least in that format.  Might be two separate 4-digit numbers for the same person, or it might not be phone numbers at all.

[Jim Stettler]

probably not an 8-digit phone number, at least in that format.  Might be two separate 4-digit numbers for the same person, or it might not be phone numbers at all.

I agree. I think it is most likely 2 phone #'s for 1 person., That is pretty cool to have 2 #'s to reach 1 person, I wonder if it is for "class room" and "lab" vs, "home" and Work".  That is a nice piece.
JMO,
Jim S.

[paul-f]

Anyone know how old it might be?

I have two similar devices. The larger has patent dates of June 3, 1924 and August 4,1925 stamped on the bottom. It's labeled Bates Index and is for phone numbers.

The smaller is a Bates Cocktail Index, labeled The Junior Index on the knob. The paper roll has numerous drink recipes and a copyright date of 1934.

[Greg G.]

Hi everyone,

Picked up this little knick-knack as accessory item.  Think it cleaned up nicely & looks better with a new coat of paint.

Anyone know how old it might be?

If unclear in the photo, she's written Adam Kennedy 2307 - 3033

An eight digit number would be circa... 

Thanks!

Maybe it was Adam Kennedy the actor?  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0447891/

[andre_janew]

If so, could it be an eight digit ID number from the Screen Actors Guild?

[Slal]

I have two similar devices. The larger has patent dates of June 3, 1924 and August 4,1925 stamped on the bottom. It's labeled Bates Index and is for phone numbers.

The smaller is a Bates Cocktail Index, labeled The Junior Index on the knob. The paper roll has numerous drink recipes and a copyright date of 1934.

A cocktail index?  They thought of everything...

Thanks for copyright info & photo.  Yours is in much better shape than mine.

On the knob, mine reads, "Patents Pending" so maybe early 1924?

Close enough I guess.

Maybe it was Adam Kennedy the actor?  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0447891/

Hey that's cool.  Maybe far fetched, but "That's my story and I'm sticking to it!"  : )

If so, could it be an eight digit ID number from the Screen Actors Guild?

More proof I do indeed have a celebrity phone index.   ; )

On a more serious note though, I had been wondering if they didn't have to dial an exchange or something (first four numbers) and then maybe a private operator plugs the call into the second set of numbers.  Need to find out more about how that worked back then.

Two numbers makes much more sense though.

Thanks everyone, for replies.

--Bruce