Auction 143: Stromberg Carlson Oil Can Candlestick Project - Ended 10/27/14

[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 is this Auction Contest subject which is going to be a pure guess auction contest. We know about what this stick would sell for if complete and in good condition, but, it's not. So what is it worth, what will it sell for when the bidding ends?

The phone was listed at $44.99 plus $19.49 shipping. No bids have been offered within the first hour of the listing - I'm sure that will change. The seller has provided more than a lot of photos of this item from every angle possible so see the eBay listing for the close-ups.

So, with that said, once again, who knows best what this phone will sell for when the bidding ends?

The seller listed it as an "Rare Early 1900s Stromberg Carlson Oilcan Candlestick Phone Telephone Project " with the item condition as " - - - " and " - - - " with the auction listing description as "DIMENSIONS:  About 11" tall as seen. Base is just under 5 1/2" diameter. DESCRIPTION: Vintage Stromberg Carlson "Oilcan" Candlestick Telephone. Ca. 1905 or so. Marked on front "1522463.L". Marked near base "541666". Marked on rear "Made by Stromberg Carlson Tel Mfg Co Rochester NY USA". Fresh estate find, sold as found. CONDITION: As found and in need of restoration. Untested, assumed not working. Phone has overall surface oxidation, some scratches to center column. No dents. Missing mouthpiece. Earpiece may not be original, has tiny nick at edge. Bottom marked in pencil "Hotel Desk Phone, Fairbury Nebr. 1920". "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191378037794

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.

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

$    325.00 - poplar1  ( 3 )
$    525.00 - tallguy58  ( 2 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $425.55
$    545.00 - Fabius  ( 7 )
$    575.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 10 )
$    640.00 - Russ Kirk  ( 8 )
$    666.00 - Kenton K  ( 1 )
$    699.00 - HarrySmith  ( 4 )
$    725.00 - Sargeguy  ( 12 )
$    750.00 - wds  ( 5 )
$    800.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 6 )
$    835.00 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 11 )
$ 1,167.50 - TelePlay  ( 13 )
$ 1,500.00 - Mr. Bones  ( 9 )


Early Morning Auction Status Changes

10-17-14     Listed     $       44.99
10-18-14      7 bids    $     201.00
10-19-14    11 bids    $     329.00
10-20-14    11 bids    $     329.00
10-21-14    11 bids    $     329.00
10-22-14    14 bids    $     359.00
10-23-14    14 bids    $     359.00
10-24-14    14 bids    $     359.00
10-25-14    15 bids    $     364.00
10-26-14    15 bids    $     364.00
10-27-14    15 bids    $     364.00
10-27-14    12 bidders, 22 bids $425.55  Ended at 19:40 PDT

[Kenton K]

$666

[tallguy58]

$525

[poplar1]

$325

[HarrySmith]

$699.00

[wds]

$750

[kleinkaliber]

$800

[Fabius]

$545

[Russ Kirk]

$640

[Mr. Bones]

Please put me in the contest at $1500.00.

Thanks, and best regards!

[WesternElectricBen]

575.00

[WEBellSystemChristian]

$835

People will pay crazy ammounts of miney for something like this...

[TelePlay]

The 3% "no crowding" gap spreadsheet for this contest is updated below.

[TelePlay]

For what it's worth, the Old Telephones web site seems have what appears to be the same or very similar to this auction contest subject. Different receiver and transmitter face plate, but very similar in every other way, IMHO, of course.

1900s Stromberg Carlson Tapered Shaft Oil Can

Described there as "Stromberg Carlson tapered shaft "oil can" desk set with a rare raised letter transmitter mounted on a standard perch, not the more common ball mount. Marked Stromberg Carlson receiver. Excellent condition.  Considered more rare than the "ball mount" tapered shaft."

[Sargeguy]

$725