Auction 63 - 1936 WE 302 (H1/E1)

[Dan]

I for some reason thought the first year of the 302 was 1937, but here is a beautiful 1936, expertly restored. This auction lasts NINE days and I think will be fun to watch. Please feel free to post a picture of it if you wish, as I will post the link.

http://tinyurl.com/62kr9v5

I'll start out with a guess of $243.79.


S C O R E B O A R D

$243.79 - Dan
$400.00 - Ruskirk
$350.01 - Harry Smith
$364.00 - Tom B
$450.55 - Kennyc1955
$455.00 - Paul-F
$510.00 - bingster
$688.88 - Craig T  (Winner)
Sold for $788.00
$1175.75 - Kidphone

[paul-f]

Nice one!  I'll guess 455.

[AE_Collector]

Here are a few more pictures. And for future reference for those that can't instantly ID the work, this is a "mcmurdosilver" ebaY Auction.

Terry

[Phonesrfun]

I dunno about a God, per se, but McMurdo Silver is a very meticulous restorer, and always gets very high Dollars for his work.  I have been following his work, now, for a few years, and I really admire his attention to detail.  Much like our own Finlover. 

[Tom B]

My guess - $364.00

[Dan]

I dunno about a God, per se, but McMurdo Silver is a very meticulous restorer, and always gets very high Dollars for his work.  I have been following his work, now, for a few years, and I really admire his attention to detail.  Much like our own Finlover. 

Thats for responding about my inquiry about this seller, which somehow got deleted. This is a beautiful phone!

[GG]

If the 302 was officially introduced in '37, does anyone here know about an early field trial at an earlier date, as occurred with the 500?  Seems to me we might be looking at something equivalent to a 500 set from 1948, in which case the price could go well over $2,000 if the major components are matched.

And yes, from the photos, McMurdo Silver's work is out-of-this-world excellent.  I'd be interested to know if he had that housing powder-coated or how that paint was done, because I have an AE candlestick and a WE oval-base 202 that could use that treatment. 

[Doug Rose]

I was under the impression that the Very First 302s were fourth quarter 1936 as this guy is. Paul F would be the definitive expert on this....Doug

[paul-f]

The 300-series was announced formally in 1937 per AT&T Events in Telecommunications and other sources.

As with most products, production actually started some months before announcement to fill the pipeline so product would be available at announcement.  Also some of the early production was typically installed in controlled situations as a "final exam" to make sure they got it right.

Some pre-production field trial sets dated as late as I 36 have been reported.
  http://www.paul-f.com/weproto.html#302proto

[RDP]

I agree that it's a nice restoration but, the E-1 handset looks out of place on it and looks as if it's prone to scratching the side of the case. Not a phone I would want to use. Definitely a different look for a 302.

[Phonesrfun]

I agree that it's a nice restoration but, the E-1 handset looks out of place on it and looks as if it's prone to scratching the side of the case. Not a phone I would want to use. Definitely a different look for a 302.

RDP:

The earliest 302's did have E1 handsets, so while it looks out of place, it is actually correct.

[HarrySmith]

Yes, the E1 was on the early 302's but I agree, it does not look right. I will be putting a F on my 1937 when I get around to it!
A lot of people say he goes too far with his phones, that they are no longer appliances but works of art when he gets done. That may be but they sure sell well! I have asked about his bakelite polishing process but have not gotten a direct answer, just refers me to his page for the description of his general restoration process.
On this auction I will guess $350.01

[Kenny C]

450.55

[Dan]

Yes, the E1 was on the early 302's but I agree, it does not look right. I will be putting a F on my 1937 when I get around to it!
A lot of people say he goes too far with his phones, that they are no longer appliances but works of art when he gets done. That may be but they sure sell well! I have asked about his bakelite polishing process but have not gotten a direct answer, just refers me to his page for the description of his general restoration process.
On this auction I will guess $350.01

I think has bakelite polishing process will be like the colonel's secret 11 herbs and spices--a SECRET!

[Jim Stettler]

Here is  a link for Hal Beldon's page about early 302's. (1936, early 1937, late 1937 and 1938)
.  I have seen and handled a 1936 F handset.
http://vintagephone.com/HB302.htm

You can always find this link thru Paul F.'s 302 page.
Jim