Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Collector's Corner => Topic started by: Dewdrop on October 16, 2010, 04:31:11 PM

Title: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on October 16, 2010, 04:31:11 PM
What is this little thing and how much do they usually sell for?

Size: 4 1/2" long and 4" wide and 2 1/4" high

Thanks
Debbie
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on October 16, 2010, 05:47:39 PM
Looks like one of those Salesman Samples they talk about.  That one has white letters/numbers.  It looks like maybe Light Gray or Rose Beige.  Yesterday a collector on the TCI sold two of the for $28 each.  They sold within minutes of him listing them on the TCI list serve.  Clean it up and put it on eBay and it could go for higher.  We were just talking about those yesterday.  I think a couple of guys, including Jonathan have the entire set of early soft plastic colors.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on October 16, 2010, 06:17:05 PM
Thanks Dennis

So if I bought this one for $21.71 it would be a good price?

The color is gray.

Debbie
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on October 16, 2010, 07:16:59 PM
Compared to the one that sold for $28, yes.  I don't know what the condition of that one was.  Will there be one cheaper someday on eBay?  Maybe.  I guess it's worth what someone is willing to pay.  If you spend $21.71 then it's worth that much.  How's that for a non-committal answer?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: KeithB on October 16, 2010, 08:45:19 PM
Interesting to see it has no 'Operator' text of any kind around the zero.  :o
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Adam on October 16, 2010, 09:12:06 PM
Yeah, I believe all of them were made that way.  Always having been fascinated by the Northern Electric Quebec dials (made without the word Operator) I noticed that too.  I assumed these were made that way because they were too small to do the word operator legibly.

Still looking for a red one of these, in case anyone has one laying around.  Needs to be in the original complete state (not pen holder, music box, etc.)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on October 16, 2010, 10:21:04 PM
Forgot to mention $21.71 includes shipping (half of the price)

Thanks for the info

Debbie
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on October 17, 2010, 12:15:48 AM
Debbie, I think that price was OK. I don't like to pay more than that, unless it's a really rare color. Yours looks to be light gray and probably dates from 1957-64 or so. Light gray was added in late 1957 to the WE 500 colors. And eventually (nobody knows when) the fingerwheel did change to the solid center type.

The ones with the Bell logo are the best of the lot. As Masstel said, there are some that are music boxes and penholders and such, and they're not worth as much to me as the Bell logo ones because they're toys and not something the phone company gave away.

Some were salesman's samples and some were used to represent Christmas presents (and any other time of year) when someone would give what amounted to a gift certificate of phone service or an extension or whatever from the Phone Company. You didn't get much with the sheet of paper, so they threw in a little phone to make it worthwhile. I have a couple of these small promos (my name for them) in the original Christmas box still with the gift certificate inside. I've also seen this mentioned in phone company magazines and seen them on the desks of phone company executives in pictures in those same magazines.

I don't quite have a complete set. I don't have brown and my dark blue is missing its handset. The dark colors are very hard to find. I also have some chalkware promos. If you want something really hard to find, try collecting those! I have only seen these in 11 years on eBay--all bought in one auction from Maine.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg18581#msg18581 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg18581#msg18581)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 17, 2010, 12:22:45 AM
Quote from: jsowers on October 17, 2010, 12:15:48 AM


Some were salesman's samples and some were used to represent Christmas presents (and any other time of year) when someone would give what amounted to a gift certificate of phone service or an extension or whatever from the Phone Company. You didn't get much with the sheet of paper, so they threw in a little phone to make it worthwhile. I have a couple of these small promos (my name for them) in the original Christmas box still with the gift certificate inside. I've also seen this mentioned in phone company magazines and seen them on the desks of phone company executives in pictures in those same magazines.


http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg18581#msg18581 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg18581#msg18581)


I never realized about the "Christmas Present" promo. I have seen ads, It does make sense to have a package to open on Christmas.  I think those Christmas packaging are very HTF. Cool find

Jim
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on October 17, 2010, 01:23:11 AM
Jim, here are some pictures of two of the Christmas promos I've seen, complete with box and certificate. The striped box one belongs to a friend, but I have one exactly like it (the seller had two). I don't know why I can't find the pictures of mine, but it's just as well. Both seem to be Illinois Bell. I'm not sure every Baby Bell did this, and you can tell the red and gold striped one is later because of the 1969 Bell logo on the gift card and the solid center fingerwheel.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on October 17, 2010, 02:25:25 AM
Thanks for the great information regarding this little phone.

If I decide to get it, I'll post a better picture of it.

Debbie
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on October 17, 2010, 12:26:37 PM
I have a couple of the small phones that I've picked up along the way.  One that is NOT a Bell release is this music box.  It's the same size as the others.  This one is still with its original box.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on October 17, 2010, 02:24:40 PM
Nice music phone.

I DID IT!

Hopefully I'll receive the gray phone later this week.

Debbie
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: JorgeAmely on October 24, 2010, 08:05:43 PM
Dennis:

I bet you can't have it fixed these days for a buck!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on October 26, 2010, 11:30:15 AM
Jorge, I'll bet you're right about that!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on October 26, 2010, 11:52:53 AM
I was watching that auction but had to run an errand.  The errand took longer than I thought and I did not have the chance to bid/snipe.   

It went more that I would have bidded (initially) but my emotions may have driven my $$ amount higher. 

I am shocked at the high price.  But as my wife always tells me, "another one will come someday".

Nice item,  anyone here get it?

Russ....
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on October 26, 2010, 12:01:45 PM
I put in a couple of bids but it went for double my max :o
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on October 26, 2010, 03:00:24 PM
Here's one I found recently, for a whole lot less and in a rarer color. It has a damaged fingerwheel that I may be able to replace (I can get to it from underneath). It's held on by a stout clip underneath.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290481677086 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290481677086)

I haven't worked on it yet to replace the fingerwheel. If I do, I'll post some pictures.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Just4Phones on October 26, 2010, 07:58:30 PM
Here are some of my little babies. The princess with the cord is a night light.  Also, has anyone else ever gotten one with the TT dial?  The plastic 302 is a bank and is an EXACT copy of a 302.

Joel

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Kenny C on October 26, 2010, 07:59:32 PM
what does the giant finger stop do?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Just4Phones on October 26, 2010, 08:46:34 PM
Exactly what a fingerstop does.  The dial actually dials and it stops your finger.  P.S.  After the light up princess it's my favorite  ;D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on October 26, 2010, 08:47:54 PM
DUH. It stops your finger ;D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Kenny C on October 26, 2010, 08:49:32 PM
oh i thought it was some kinda special thing for the bank. I like the princess too :)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on October 26, 2010, 09:22:35 PM
Joel, I have one of those in Ivory.  I don't even remember where I got it.  It has the slot under the handset for coins and an opening on the bottom to get the coins out.

Also I thought I'd post this advertisement for The Yellow Pages.  An eBay purchase a while back.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Just4Phones on October 27, 2010, 06:47:16 AM
I've seen the ivory before but always with some damage.  It's a great piece.  I'm glad I didn't see that yellow 500.  We would have had a bidding war.  I may recall a yellow pages one but it went out of my price range....was that you ? >:(  LOL.   I don't have a yellow one (yet).  These were at one time quite inexpensive and I am sure I never paid more that 5-10 dollars for any of them but it seems they go for big bucks now.  Always out of my price range.  I saw a black 500 recently as well.  Dang I wanted that but it went for HUGE bucks  :'(
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: JorgeAmely on November 30, 2010, 11:29:16 PM
Look what our fearless leader found on the place.  :o :o :o  A very rare and hard to find miniature Dark Blue AE80.  Now Terry, don't step on your tongue.   ;D ;D ;D

http://goo.gl/kBSZt

PS: It's green sibling is available from the same seller.

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on December 01, 2010, 01:09:13 AM
Hhmmm, I wonder what one of these would go for! My guess is $104.49...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320618897319

Back to the current one (who would have thought that more than one of these would even exist!). I like the little realistic dial tag / number card! This current one (above) looks a little better than the $104 one (below) from last week.

I'd like to win a shopping spree in the seller Mr Kolgers phone room! Probably the #1 collector of early colored AE phones. He even has a blue AE 47 set! I had NO IDEA that they made a 47 in color.

Now to check out the green salesman sample.....!

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on December 01, 2010, 01:24:08 AM
Well lets get the Jade Green one up here as well...(for educational purposes of course)

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on December 01, 2010, 07:18:56 AM
I put in the opening bids on both of them ;D

OOPS, wrong. I put in bids on two other sample phones :-[

Now I have bids on them :D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on December 01, 2010, 01:20:33 PM
Not AE and not on eBay but an ATCA member has some he is selling. I already got one. You can contact him at: oldphones@bellsouth.net
Real nice guy, named Bill. Tell him I sent you! He is asking $35.00 shipped, not bad! Don't know how long they will last!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on December 01, 2010, 03:39:06 PM
Thanks, guys, for posting these. I always wondered what went in the middle of the dial and you solved the mystery. I have two of these (and a third for parts) without the dial centers. The Jade green one had a light green handset when I got it. The red one had no handset at all. I eventually found another Jade green one with a missing fingerwheel and fingerstop that I borrowed a handset from.

So if anyone needs a light green AE80 promo handset or if they have a red AE promo handset they'd like to trade, I'd love to hear from them. See the two pictures below. I also had an underneath shot, FYI.

I've seen pictures in the local paper of things retirees from our local telco (an independent who used AE equipment almost exclusively) took with them when they retired and these little AE80 promos were highly valued by them. They don't seem to be nearly as plentiful as their 500 brethren.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on December 01, 2010, 04:01:08 PM
John:

You should be able to find that AE numbercard on the internet and reduce it in size for your little phones.

I'm assuming that these sample phones have dials that turn?? (I don't have any of these) If so, are they spring loaded but without a governor so they snap back into the proper position?

I wish I had a picture but 10 years ago I saw the opposite of these at one of our warehouses. A red 80 that was probably 4 feet long and just like these samples, it looked pretty realistic. It must have been on a parade float or something like that years ago.

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on December 01, 2010, 04:28:47 PM
Quote from: ae_collector on December 01, 2010, 04:01:08 PM
You should be able to find that AE numbercard on the internet and reduce it in size for your little phones.

I'm assuming that these sample phones have dials that turn?? (I don't have any of these) If so, are they spring loaded but without a governor so they snap back into the proper position?

The card isn't the problem as much as the little silver retainer that goes around it and snaps into the fingerwheel.

The fingerwheels on mine don't move. They're just like the 500 promos in that respect.

Also, any of you who try to clean these, be very careful getting any water or anything on the letters around the dial. They rub off easily. A Q-tip with a dab of furniture polish or just slightly damp would be the best thing to clean out the dust. I noticed one of the blue ones had some of the triangles inside the fingerwheel holes to disappear.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on December 01, 2010, 07:09:35 PM
Quote from: jsowers on December 01, 2010, 04:28:47 PM
I noticed one of the blue ones had some of the triangles inside the fingerwheel holes to disappear.

That is what led me to believe that the fingerwheels must move.

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: classicradios on June 25, 2011, 02:25:22 PM
I found this yesterday at an estate sale.  I just thought that you guys would like to see it.  Have you ever seen one before?  Date on the box is 1945.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Sargeguy on June 25, 2011, 02:46:42 PM
I have seen one, but it was not as nice nor did it have the box. 
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on June 25, 2011, 03:30:09 PM
The few I've seen have been well played with and are usually missing the fingerstops.  It's great that you found one with the box!

The FS on your set almost looks too big.  Is there any indication whether it's original or possibly replaced?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: classicradios on June 25, 2011, 04:06:31 PM
Thanks for the message. I'm sure the FS is original since it appears to be attached to the case using an eyelet/rivet.  I don't think that my set was ever used.  It's just too clean!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: TelePlay on June 25, 2011, 05:28:12 PM
Found this on eBay yesterday.

http://tinyurl.com/65d8toc

Only $70. Same one?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 25, 2011, 05:52:49 PM
I have one of those in Ivory as well.  Not as nice or in the original box.  The finger stop on mine is matching plastic.  I thought we posted pictures of these in the past but I can't find the post now.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dewdrop on June 26, 2011, 11:06:22 AM
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3612.0

page 2, maybe?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 26, 2011, 11:08:33 PM
That's the one Debbie, thank you!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on June 27, 2011, 05:47:32 PM
Quote from: classicradios on June 25, 2011, 02:25:22 PM
I found this yesterday at an estate sale.  I just thought that you guys would like to see it.  Have you ever seen one before?  Date on the box is 1945.

Cool phone! That's a new one to me.  But is now on  my gotta have list for my miniature phone / toy phone collection.

Gee,  I wonder if when one gives it food and water it will grow into a full size WE 302? <g>

Russ...
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: sebbel on February 14, 2012, 09:36:40 AM
This looks like a salesman sample right?

http://tinyurl.com/6r9cosz
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 14, 2012, 11:08:16 AM
I believe that it is.  $20 is probably not a bad price for it either.

Larry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on February 14, 2012, 11:29:52 AM
That color is Dawn Gray, I think. Definitely an AE80 promo. They're often missing the number card in the middle, and the holder. It's a fair price. I've seen them go for nearly $20 in a more common color.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on February 14, 2012, 09:14:20 PM
So is one of the previous posters buying it? Otherwise I might.

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: sebbel on February 14, 2012, 09:22:05 PM
Yeah. I'm picking it up tomorrow.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on February 14, 2012, 10:40:24 PM
Definitely a deal if you can easily pick it up!

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Vern P on February 16, 2012, 01:14:00 PM
Nice pice and great price.

From what I have learned about these, they are not a "salesman stample" but were disply in the telepne Co, office to show the colors that the telephone came in.

This was for the WE 500, I think this would be true for the AE too.

Vern P
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on February 16, 2012, 04:41:56 PM
I'm not sure of the time span, but in the 60s some of the Bell System companies gave boxed promo 500 sets in lieu of a gift of phone service at Christmas. I have a couple of these still in the box with the gift card still enclosed. You got one even if you were given one month free service by someone. It was something tangible that could be wrapped as a present instead of just a paper gift certificate.

Illinois Bell is what's on the one below and another one I have from a bit later. I'm not sure if all the Bells did that.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: sebbel on February 16, 2012, 09:30:08 PM
Got it yesterday for 15$. The seller even found someone to bring it in town so I only had to pick it on my way from work.

Now I only need to find out where my daughter hid it.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: DavePEI on April 11, 2012, 03:26:16 PM
Seb ended up selling me the Salesman's sample for the museum.

It is mentioned in the following thread with a photo:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1653.msg77598#msg77598

Dave
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on July 04, 2012, 04:32:54 PM
A few bidders took time from the BBQ to place some hot last minute bids!

Sold for $679.99.

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on July 04, 2012, 04:35:24 PM
WOW! That is a ridiculous price. Whats with the red one having a coiled handset cord? That is kinda strange, I do not recall seeing a sample phone with a cord before.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on July 04, 2012, 04:39:38 PM
A number of companies made music boxes out of them, and often added cords.

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: TelePlay on July 04, 2012, 06:14:11 PM
The phones went for what, $80, and the carrying case was $599.99?  ;D

Do you have a link to that auction?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on July 04, 2012, 09:27:21 PM
I agree, that was a hefty price. The two-tone one was particularly rare and nice to see, and I've never seen one with a cord that wasn't a music box. Also the coils are much larger than the music box type. It could be a way to sell coiled cords as an accessory since they weren't standard when these promos were used.

Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230816439321 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230816439321)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Gilas on September 22, 2012, 04:24:25 PM
Are there differences in the 500 salesman samples, like open face etc?  Also are there harder ones to find then others like the real 500's?  Last question, does anyone have a list of the various ones that they made in the 500 style?  
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dan/Panther on September 22, 2012, 09:32:31 PM
Gilas;
you can search Paul's site, and here is a link to the forum. I'm sure we have other threads about them, but it didn't come up in a search.
D/P

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4164.0
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: cihensley@aol.com on September 22, 2012, 11:15:36 PM
I have all colors, including the four discontinued colors (oxford gray, rose beige, etc.), except, would you believe it, black. They all look the same, but close examination discloses some differences. Some were originally music boxes.

Chuck
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Gilas on September 22, 2012, 11:21:06 PM
Thanks I tried searching the site here and found very little about them.  Figured someone would have some hidden knowledge.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on September 23, 2012, 10:02:22 AM
There are open and solid center fingerwheel 500 promos. I call them promos, for whatever reason. You can try searching on that word and see what comes up. The solid center ones are later, from the latter 1960s, and not too plentiful. It seems they didn't make as many in the later years.

In the early years of color phones, they were used to show all the available colors and came in a display case. This is why black is not that plentiful since most everyone had a black phone already. There are a few two-tone promos that date to the early years--1953-57 or so.

Some promos came in boxes and were used to represent a gift of phone service, and came with a certificate telling what the recipient got. Some have Christmas boxes and others are fairly plain.

As Chuck Hensley said, they were also made as music boxes. Also penholders and Junior Achievement projects. To me, those are more like toys and less like promos since I don't think the phone company had anything to do with them. I have boxes for those too and it's a kind of dime store kiddie toy. They still make a nice display and some even have coil cords on them.

I used to think that the real phone company promos only had Bell logo number cards on them, but that's probably not the case after seeing the last display case up for auction where none of them had logo cards. I would venture to say that the ones that do have logo cards originated at the phone company since that logo wouldn't be on a toy sold in a store for copyright reasons. But that wouldn't stop someone from putting one in there somewhere along the line.

I remember Paul Fassbender saying he was doing some research into these items. Maybe he will chime in with some information? There isn't much out there on them, and they also made Princess, 2500 and Trimline promos.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on September 23, 2012, 12:58:23 PM
I agree with the observations made so far.

I'm still gathering info.  Summarizing it is relatively low priority, so it may be a while until the results are in.

Some other observations:

Some of the JA projects filled the housings with plaster of paris -- apparently to make them better paperweights.

In addition to pen holders and music boxes, there were banks.

There is also a metal 50 Millionth Phone commemorative mini.

The handset handles on some were hot stamped with ads, Operating Company events (open houses, dial conversions, employee attendance or other awards, etc.) and in the case of the Princess the Seattle World's Fair.

Here are a few forum links with photos...

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3312.msg43922#msg43922

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=828.msg34773#msg34773

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=828.msg34799#msg34799

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.15

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=828.msg48448#msg48448

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=828.msg48711#msg48711

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4164.0

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jester on September 23, 2012, 01:37:24 PM
Quote from: jsowers on September 23, 2012, 10:02:22 AM
There are open and solid center fingerwheel 500 promos.

They also made Princess, 2500 and Trimline promos.

I recently won the lot pictured below, which shows nearly every feature discussed above.  The Princess is not represented, but every other model and version is all there in one lot.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Gilas on September 23, 2012, 03:05:03 PM
Thanks all for the information!!!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on September 23, 2012, 03:35:26 PM
So lets make this the "Salesman Sample's, Promo's and other Miniature Phones" thread where we can try to put most of the pictures and info on these little phones. There is already some good discussion and pictures here now and it is in the "Collector's Corner" Board which seems ike the logical place for it.

I have merged some past threads about this type of phones into this thread to make this thread a more complete discussion about these phones.

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dave F on September 23, 2012, 09:36:32 PM
Quote from: paul-f on September 23, 2012, 12:58:23 PM

<snip>...There is also a metal 50 Millionth Phone commemorative mini...


Here is the metal paperweight COMMEMORATING THE FIFTY MILLIONTH TELEPHONE IN SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES      NOVEMBER 1953.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jester on September 23, 2012, 10:45:10 PM
Dave F,

That is COOL!! 8)  I've looked at more than one of these on eBay over the past three years, but haven't committed to one yet!  Nice find!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: DavePEI on September 27, 2012, 12:46:00 AM
I had fun with my AE sample a while back in the "Genetics Gone Wild" topic:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1653.0

It was purchased from Sebbell, and has been a point of interest in the museum.

I'm just too big for my telephone  ;)

Dave
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 28, 2012, 05:59:54 PM
Anyone wnat to add some to thier collection?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160892260522
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on September 28, 2012, 10:16:20 PM
All 4 phones are in great condition (NOS). They measure 3 3/4" x 4 1/2" along the base and 2" high.The 5th phone in the pictures has slight damage on its underside and is free.

SOLD - $38.00 plus $2.89 shipping for 5 of them! Don't know who got them.

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 29, 2012, 07:56:13 AM
I figured they would not last! If I was not on phone restriction I would have picked them up! I hope it was somebody here that got that great deal!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: DavePEI on September 29, 2012, 09:01:14 AM
Yea, I saw them there yesterday morning, and was thinking of getting them for the museum to accompany the lonely AE80 sample, but decided I had spent WAYYYY to much lately on stuff for the museum.

Dave
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Gilas on September 29, 2012, 10:23:38 AM
I was lucky enough to grab them. I've just started trying to get a collection of the 500s after my initial question about them and thought it was a good deal on a group. Granted just a couple colors in the group but I can always trade/sell the ones I don't need eventually. Thanks for the heads up Harry!!

Mike
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 29, 2012, 11:18:32 AM
Cool, Mike! Glad you got them, it was a good deal. My thought exactly, keep 2 and trade for other colors with the rest. I think the gray ones are harder to find. I had 2, traded one for a red one!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on February 13, 2013, 02:37:41 PM
Dark blue miniature 500

          $209.16 !!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121062983740 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/121062983740)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Gilas on February 13, 2013, 03:49:12 PM
Wow
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Just4Phones on February 13, 2013, 07:31:14 PM
My mini's.  No record prices here  :-\
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jester on February 13, 2013, 07:37:42 PM
I like 'em all! ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Just4Phones on February 13, 2013, 08:14:11 PM
Quote from: Jester on February 13, 2013, 07:37:42 PM
I like 'em all! ;) :D ;D

Thanks Stephen
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: WesternElectricBen on February 18, 2013, 11:06:33 PM
They have those at an antique store a couple towns over. They seem smaller, are they worth picking up?
Ben
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on February 18, 2013, 11:11:11 PM
Most of these are about 4" long (longest dimension) and often sell for $10 - 20 in common colors.  Like the larger phones, the dark shades of gray, blue, beige and brown go for considerably more.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: JubileeCompact on September 04, 2013, 05:38:06 PM
Hey Guys
These were a bargain buy from Ebay :)
Seamus
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 06, 2013, 08:22:53 PM
Quote from: JubileeCompact on September 04, 2013, 05:38:06 PM
Hey Guys
These were a bargain buy from Ebay :)
Seamus

OOOOHHHH! A med. blue! ;D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: twocvbloke on September 06, 2013, 09:43:28 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on September 06, 2013, 08:22:53 PMOOOOHHHH! A med. blue! ;D

Nooooo, it's Concord Blue... :D

Which is odd cos Concord was usually white... ;D
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Dave F on January 17, 2014, 02:35:03 PM
Here's a heavy cast-brass 302 paperweight.  From it's size, weight and construction, it looks like it was made by the same folks who produced the "50 Millionth..." 500 set brass miniature (seen previously in this topic).  It's interesting that it was apparently made with no finger stop. This is one very nice miniature I had never seen before now.

DF
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: cihensley@aol.com on December 27, 2014, 04:34:25 PM
I recently acquired a black miniature 500 set, so I have a complete set with the exception of an Oxford Grey. Several of the sets were originally music boxes or pen holders. They are usually identified by the lack of indentations in the bottom of the set (see the picture of the green and mahogany brown sets for comparison. The music box and pen holder sets are the same dimension as the display sets, as shown by the green and brown handset reversal.

Several of the sets had broken finger wheels that i replaced from an extra set (see the finger wheel on the Mediterranean Blue set that I have not yet replaced). I copied the number plates from the Telephone Archive Web site.

Chuck
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on December 27, 2014, 08:09:49 PM
Chuck, that's a very nice collection of 500 promos. I've found that black is especially hard to find, as are turquoise, dark blue, brown and dark gray. I can't tell which of yours is light beige and which one is dark beige. They both look dark beige to me. Light beige is also not easy to find, with the black numbers and letters on the dial. I'm not sure why.

It's great you could find all the different colors.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: LarryInMichigan on December 28, 2014, 10:37:13 AM
I am somewhat surprised that they made them in black at all.  I thought that the point of these samples was to try to sell customers on color phones by showing them the various color choices.  Just about everyone already knew how black looked.

I have only yellow and ivory samples and a pink Princess.

Larry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on April 06, 2015, 08:44:40 PM

My current collection of Mini 500's. I am looking to add more colors! Anyone got any to sell or trade? I have extras in Grey, Yellow & Ivory. Let me know what you have! Thanks.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on April 07, 2015, 02:33:21 PM
Nice collection!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: magicbrain on January 22, 2016, 11:08:04 AM
Just sold on ebay last week for $283.88! - not bought or sold by me.

http://tinyurl.com/gpx4j3z (http://tinyurl.com/gpx4j3z)

Are these that rare?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Doug Rose on January 22, 2016, 11:53:13 AM
I saw it as a BIN for $35. I had no idea!!....Doug
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on January 23, 2016, 08:29:31 PM
Nice set! Doug, at $35.00 you should have pushed the button! I wish I saw it then. I need to spend more time on eBay!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AE_Collector on January 23, 2016, 09:14:55 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 23, 2016, 08:29:31 PM
I need to spend more time on eBay!

Definitely not something that is EVER heard around here!

Terry
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 21, 2017, 02:26:18 PM
I like to look at salesman's samples on eBay from time to time. Some pretty cool stuff comes up in that search. Today I came across the mini 500 which looks like Rose Beige! Pretty poor pictures but the white numbers & letters on the dial caught my eye. What do you all think? I pulled the trigger anyway, cheap enough. If it is it will be the crowning piece in my mini 500 collection!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/192307149028
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on September 21, 2017, 03:07:33 PM
Looks like the real thing to me. Same color as your avatar.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Stubbypylon on September 21, 2017, 05:03:52 PM
I just sold an oxford gray salesmans sample at the Canadian Phone Show.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Doug Rose on September 21, 2017, 06:02:47 PM
I still have Gray and Beige NOS wrapped in paper from the factory $6 each....Doug

Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 21, 2017, 07:20:21 PM
Quote from: Stubbypylon on September 21, 2017, 05:03:52 PM
I just sold an oxford gray salesmans sample at the Canadian Phone Show.

darn, I could have used that one! I also need a Med Blue if anyone has one.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on September 22, 2017, 07:15:33 PM
Looks like there are some subtle color differences with the rose beige and beige mini 500 sets.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Pourme on September 22, 2017, 07:56:41 PM
That Pinocchio  phone is a rare one....
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 22, 2017, 09:20:36 PM
Quote from: Russ Kirk on September 22, 2017, 07:15:33 PM
Looks like there are some subtle color differences with the rose beige and beige mini 500 sets.

Yes, but they still have white numbers.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AL_as_needed on September 23, 2017, 08:40:24 PM
You also dont know if its could be a bit sun faded. Could have been part of a window display for a time. Or they were just made by using the beginning or end of run plastics in those colors.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 23, 2017, 11:05:20 PM
It seems that whoever actually created these for Bell had Light Beige confused. They made the mini Rose Beige sets (or at least Light Beige with white digits) well after solid center fingerwheels were used on full-sized 500s--they even come with mini solid fingerwheels, like the bottom right phone in the above picture.

It's possible that Bell gave the mini phone manufacturer the color samples of the new Pastel color line when it came out, but they must not have known that the new Beige had black letters, not white. They probably stopped making mini Rose Beige and started with Light Beige, but never changed the digit color appropriately.

I've also noticed that the minis actually changed from Tenite to ABS along with the 500s! That should be a good indicator of how old yours is! My Rose Beige mini has a solid fingerwheel and is ABS, but yours was probably made while Rose Beige was still in production.

EDIT: Also, I hate to burst your bubble, but that almost looks like Light Gray in yellowish light. The mini versions also used white letters, for whatever reason.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on September 30, 2017, 05:40:18 PM
I got the mini 500 yesterday. Not even close to Rose Beige. It's Grey!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 30, 2017, 10:18:29 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on September 30, 2017, 05:40:18 PM
I got the mini 500 yesterday. Not even close to Rose Beige. It's Grey!
Yeah, I thought so. Sorry, Harry! :(

At least you can add it to your Light Gray mini 500 collection!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: NikeTelephone on October 02, 2017, 01:43:59 AM
Ive got 5 so far in my Salesman Collection! :)
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: AL_as_needed on October 08, 2017, 02:30:31 PM
....and that's why you dry your phones on low-heat, to avoid shrinking!  ;D

Nice orange 500 NikeTelephone 
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on March 30, 2018, 09:31:30 AM
I just picked up a Brown mini. It is to commemorate New York Telephone, stamped on the handset. Dated April 19, 1956. Now I need 1 more color! Med Blue! Anyone?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: ..... on November 04, 2018, 08:57:04 PM
Here are a couple small princess phones I picked up a couple weeks ago.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: oldguy on November 04, 2018, 11:30:44 PM
Very cool Doug, where did you find them?
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: ..... on November 05, 2018, 03:51:19 AM
Quote from: oldguy on November 04, 2018, 11:30:44 PM
Very cool Doug, where did you find them?


From another collector who is selling off his collection. Seems to be a lot of that happening lately. Collectors downsizing.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on December 23, 2018, 11:54:51 AM
I finally got my Mini 500's together for a family photo. I did notice one has a broken fingerwheel. I am going to need to replace that. Does anyone have a mini 500 that is damaged, maybe a cracked or broken body, missing a handset, cradle ear broken off? I need one to steal the fingerwheel off. Color is unimportant.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jim Stettler on December 23, 2018, 02:02:17 PM
That is quite a nice looking collection. Are you going after AE80's next?
Jim S.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on December 23, 2018, 05:46:29 PM
Thanks! No AE's for me. I am keeping my eyes out for the elusive Gold or Silver ones. Also there is a set of mini's that was supposed to be for introducing the colors. They come in a plastic tray. I would like to have a set of those someday.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jim Stettler on December 23, 2018, 06:00:33 PM
They also made mini Trimlines and princess telephones.
Jim S.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: jsowers on December 23, 2018, 06:46:11 PM
Quote from: Jim Stettler on December 23, 2018, 06:00:33 PM
They also made mini Trimlines and princess telephones.
Jim S.

But Trimlines only in white, I assume. So it's not like you can collect all the colors. Has anyone seen a Trimline promo in a color other than white? They also made 2500 promos in white.

Harry, I like your shots of your collection. When I saw the first shot, I thought they were taken on your chest freezer, and then I realized it was a Chrysler trunk. Can you add the names of the colors of all of your promos, just in case someone wants to know? It looks like you have both black and brown, but they both look black in the pictures. Are you missing light beige? Anything else? I like how you have the Bell logo in the center of all the promos too.

They did make a salesman case with a plastic cover (see below--not mine) and they made a 500 set keychain clear case with all the colors. Both of these sell in the hundreds of dollars and don't come along very often, so good luck!
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on December 23, 2018, 06:53:37 PM
Your collection looks great Harry.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Jim Stettler on December 23, 2018, 07:03:18 PM
Quote from: jsowers on December 23, 2018, 06:46:11 PM
But Trimlines only in white, I assume. So it's not like you can collect all the colors. Has anyone seen a Trimline promo in a color other than white?

This is the only one I have seen. They made princess sample telephones  in color. I think it is likely they made early trimline promo kits in colors. This is my opinion.
JimS.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on December 23, 2018, 08:36:12 PM
I have only seen the Trimline samples in white. I think the Trimline samples are newer than the 500 set samples.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on December 24, 2018, 06:33:46 AM
Yes, that is the trunk of my wife's Chrysler 300. I wanted to get them in sunlight to try and show the colors. Getting a Bell logo the right size and cutting them out was difficult. If you look closely you can see they are not quite cut exact but it's good enough for me!
Color list from trunk picture left to right.

Front Row:
Light Blue -62
Green -51
Black -3
Yellow -56
Ivory -50
Brown -54
White -58

Back Row:
Light Gray -61
Red -53
Mediterranean Blue -57
Dark Gray -52
Pink -59
Pose Beige -55
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: bobv on December 24, 2018, 10:02:07 AM
Harry, nice collections.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: HarrySmith on January 01, 2019, 11:53:00 AM
I recently bought what I thought was an Ivory mini that I was going to take the fingerwheel off to repair the damaged one I have. When I got it I realized it was not Ivory but Beige. I also realized that was a color I did not have! I have added it to my collection. It is cloudy here right now so I cannot get any good pictures but I will add some later. I also discovered I have 2 extra in Light Gray. I don't know how I ended up with 3 of them but I am thinking about taking the fingerwheel off one of those. Unless someone needs a Light Gray and has something more common I can take the fingerwheel off. I am also going to be offering the other for sale.


EDIT: Pictures added. The new Beige is in the center, Ivory on right and Rose Beige on left.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Vern P on January 17, 2020, 05:14:50 PM
The lt. beige was a hard one for me to find. I too have extra lt. gray ones. Black was the last me for me.
Vern
Title: Light Blue??
Post by: HarrySmith on March 20, 2020, 07:25:47 PM
Just found this mini 500 music box on eBay. It is a Light Blue color. I have 2 Blue ones but this looks different. What do you guys think? Is it a different color than mine? Is it faded or bad lighting? Pictures of mine are posted earlier in this topic.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Miniature-Rotary-Dial-Telephone-Music-Box-Pen-Holder/333331129625
( dead link 06-24-21 )
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: paul-f on March 21, 2020, 04:11:31 PM
Ceramic bank - "Saving for my Princess Telephone"
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on March 21, 2020, 07:53:01 PM
Quote from: paul-f on March 21, 2020, 04:11:31 PM
Ceramic bank - "Saving for my Princess Telephone"

I have the blue one and want the pink one.
Title: Re: Salesman Samples, Promos and other Miniature Telephones
Post by: Russ Kirk on March 21, 2020, 07:55:18 PM
This is a 5 phone sampler carrying case. The case has some damage but these are really hard to find.