Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Collector's Corner => Topic started by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 12:09:36 AM

Title: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 12:09:36 AM
Of the telephones that I have collected it was the soft plastic 500's and 554's that got me hooked.  Like many people I have tried to get a soft plastic set in each of the original 8 colors and all of the soft plastic colors.  I have found that the 554's are the most difficult to find.  I've done pretty well but still need a few of the more difficult colors.

My friend Mark Scola (who I've mentioned before that does plastic repair) has been looking for a Mahogany 500.  He knew I had one because I got it from him a few years ago.  He knew I picked up another one a while ago.........

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1154.0

..........and started asking me if I'd like to trade for the one he originally owned that has been sitting on my shelf.  He knew I was collecting the soft plastic 554's and what colors I need to complete my collection.  We talked about a Rose Beige 554 which he said he had and would trade to me for the Mahogany 500.  The 500 has a tiny corner crack that he repaired years ago.  He said he would "sweeten" the deal but wasn't specific.

Today he showed up at my door with a couple of phones in his arms.  A Rose Beige 554 from 5/1957 and a white 5302G.  The white 5302G was the item he chose to sweeten the pot.  We've all seen the black 5302's but finding one in color is difficult and expensive.  This one has "some issues" but overall is a nice phone.  There is some repaired damage and it's got some yellowing (a good candidate for the peroxide) but looks good on the shelf.  I consummated the deal.  In addition to the Mahogany 500 Mark was looking for a nice beige 500 case...hard or soft.  I happened to have a nice 1959 model and gave him the whole phone.  So I gave up a Mahogany 500 from 1955 with a tiny crack on one corner along with a hard plastic beige 500 from 1959.  In return I got a puzzle piece for my 554 collection and a bonus colored 5302.  Attached are a couple of photos.

So the moral of the story (too late to make a long-story short) is that often you can get something you need by trading with another collector.  Like in baseball, or other sports, you have to give up something good to get something good.  I hope to do some work on the 5302 but the Rose Beige 554 needs very little work.  The handset is a little darker than the body but I think that is from oils from the hands, not darkening from sunlight.  Secondly, once you focus on collecting something it's OK to get one with imperfections until a better one comes along.  The 5302 isn't perfect but you don't see a lot of them in color....and when you do be prepared to pay big bucks.  The 302 base of this phone is from 1949.  The plastic housing is dated 9-1959.  The handset and elements from 1960 and the cords from 1960.  So that was about the time some of these 5302's were being put out there to meet the demand for the 500 style phone and to continue to get rid of the 302 stock-pile of parts.

The photos of the 5302 show it next to my 1964 hard plastic 500 which is much brighter white.  Note the cut off back of the phone compared to the 500.

This is the first Model 554 that I've run across that has the 426A gas tube inside for party line ringing.

Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Steve on June 11, 2009, 12:34:37 AM

IMHO you did well Dennis. thats some eye candy for sure.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Steve on June 11, 2009, 12:37:02 AM

Holy cow! I just noticed the 5302 even has a matching plug!
Christmas in June at the Markham household. :)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 12:39:18 AM
Thanks Steve.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I've been tinkering with them ever since this afternoon and here it is nearly 1:00AM (time for sack-time).  Just like a kid on Christmas!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: McHeath on June 11, 2009, 12:45:00 AM
What a great trade!  I did not even know they made Rose Beige 554s.  And a white 5302, how cool is that?  In all my e-bay and other internet prowling of the last year I've yet to see a colored 5302 for sale anywhere. 
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 12:51:58 AM
Another collector friend of mine sold a group of them a while back.  I think he had Aqua, Pink, White and Green.  He sold them as a group I believe in the $3,500 price range.  But they were in showroom condition.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: foots on June 11, 2009, 09:07:01 AM
Mr. Markham, I've aways preferred doing a little "horse trading" to buying and selling. Sure money is nice, but when trading sometimes you can get that certain something you may have been wanting but couldn't find. Money isn't all that good since you can't buy what you cant find.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 09:16:36 AM
It's taken me a few years to actually have something someone else would want....especially a collector that has been at it for forty years.  But it's a good way to get stuff from other collectors on one's level....a couple of new collectors starting out, if like me buy a lot of stuff in the beginning when they have yet to focus on a certain area.  For the long-time collector it can be a good thing because when they bought or obtained whatever it is they're trading away the prices were much less than the are now.  So it works out good.  On the Mahogany 500 I gave up in this case I actually got it in a trade but coughed up several soft plastic phones in top condition...so at the time I had to give up good to get good.

By the way Joshua, Mr. Markham was my father.  Please call me Dennis, or Hey You, or..............(have fun and fill in the blanks) but Mr. Markham sounds too formal.  :)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on June 11, 2009, 09:46:35 AM
Dennis, that's a sweet deal for you! The 5302 will whiten up (you knew I had to mention this- call me peroxide Dan). Was the Rose Beige the one off Ebay about 1.5 years ago? That was the last one I have ever seen.

I am looking forward to the phone show on Labor Day weekend in Cincinnati to see colored 5302's and those other rare birds that don't show up on EBay.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on June 11, 2009, 02:19:51 PM
Dan, it could have been the same Rose Beige.  When Mark brought it over yesterday I was showing him a 554 I have in Mediterranean Blue and told him the seller was Charles Hensley from California.  He was selling some soft plastic sets about that time.  Mark said that is who he bought the Rose Beige set from.  So it may be the one you recall.

Some day I'd like to display the wall sets.  Right now they're in boxes in my dungeon....away from sunlight!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JimH on June 11, 2009, 02:34:31 PM
Great catch, Dennis.  I was just sitting here wondering why there aren't more colored 5302s around.....they were made when colored phones were really starting to take off, and since they were making them anyway, you'd think they'd have made more to move out the old 302s more quickly.  I think they were still installing 5302s until about 1964.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: AET on June 11, 2009, 11:05:58 PM
Dennis - Congrats!  Those are beautiful finds that I really wouldn't had beleived you could even get goodies like that anymore!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: benhutcherson on June 12, 2009, 12:08:55 AM
The colored 5302 is quite a find. I knew that they're out there, but they seem to be rare as hen's teeth.

Dan,
I'll be at the Cincinatti show, too. Really looking forward to hopefully being able to see some other phones like this one.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jester on November 09, 2009, 11:18:47 PM
I had mentioned this one to Dennis right after it went up last week, and, the more I watched it, the more fascinated I became with it. 
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 09, 2009, 11:41:49 PM
Looks like some "heavy hitters" in on the bidding of that phone.  I was watching it but had no intention of bidding.  It's a nice one to add to your collection!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 09, 2009, 11:47:08 PM
It looks like that phone (the housing) was made 02-17-59, a Tuesday.  Vanguard, the first weather satellite was launched that very day.

Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JorgeAmely on November 10, 2009, 12:04:42 AM
The mounting cord looks interesting. It looks like a smooth ivory or light beige straight handset cord was used instead. That by itself is worth a lot of money.

Dennis, correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't there an eBay auction of these phones, maybe 4 or 5 of them, for well over $2-3 thousand dollars a few years ago? I think you know the seller.

Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: McHeath on November 10, 2009, 12:29:17 AM
Wow, what a cool phone.  What's so ironic is that beige in a normal 500 is about as plain jane as you can get, but in a 5302 a beige phone is going to get some action. 

Wonder what kind of handset that is?  Do you think it's the one with the F series parts inside it? 
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 10, 2009, 08:38:34 AM
Jorge, there were four of the 5302's that were sold as a "lot" a couple of years ago.  I did have the opportunity to view them in person before they were listed.  I don't remember the final sale price but I think you are in the ball park with that price.  They were in excellent original condition.  I have a couple photos but the quality isn't real great.  

These photos were taken by the seller, a local phone collector, Bob Loeser.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: jsowers on November 10, 2009, 10:48:36 AM
Quote from: JorgeAmely on November 10, 2009, 12:04:42 AM
The mounting cord looks interesting. It looks like a smooth ivory or light beige straight handset cord was used instead. That by itself is worth a lot of money.

I first thought it was a standard 60s heavy duty mounting cord on backwards, but you're right, Jorge. It's a handset cord. It could be a straight dark beige handset cord, which is something I've never seen before. It seems to match the dark beige 283B plug on the end. It looks too dark to be ivory and light beige came along too late for straight handset cords, or at least I've never seen them in any of the new for 1957 colors. Yes, that's a valuable handset cord.

Jester, you need to put it to its original use and you'll have a very nice dark beige phone in addition to your nice light beige 5302. A standard light beige mounting cord shouldn't be too hard to find. But a dark beige straight handset cord is pretty much unobtanium. You also need to find a replacement or repair the break in the handset cord on the 5302. Good luck on that! And happy birthday!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 10, 2009, 12:48:08 PM
I didn't notice that mounting cord as being a handset cord either.  Lucky Dog! :)

Thank you once again to Jonathan for making me go to Dictionary.com.


unobtanium

   1. n.
      something highly desirable that cannot be found
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jester on November 10, 2009, 08:12:43 PM
Jonathan,

Thank you for pointing out the "bonus" with that line cord.  I did notice that dark beige cover on the 283B and noted the white, red & black conductors inside the phone as well as the grommet that reminded me of a handset cord, but I hadn't put the pieces together.  That would be something if this one is still useable as a handset cord--I don't have a straight colored cord for 500's.  I just checked the auction pictures-- nobody lopped off that unused white wire!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on November 10, 2009, 08:24:43 PM
Stephen, I'm sure I have a Light Beige mounting cord in my stash when you get that far into the refurbishing of the phone.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JimH on November 10, 2009, 11:30:48 PM
Wow, very worth the price!  This is probably the rarest of all WE telephones from the 50s on.  I'm still puzzled why there are not more out there, considering WE was trying to fill a huge demand for colored phones...to the point of refurbishing old 202s in color.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 15, 2011, 03:11:04 PM
I picked this up on ebay and I have never had a colored 5302 but the price was right. From the looks of this picture, does this look legit? Also it looks like he mentioned it has 5302 on the bottom. Thanks

http://tinyurl.com/47t7xqn
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: baldopeacock on January 15, 2011, 03:20:02 PM
looks legit to me.   You got a steal.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 15, 2011, 03:20:06 PM
Dan, it looks legit to me.  I think the seller's lack of additional photos caused it to fly below the radar.  I think you got it for a reasonable price.  Let me modify my statement...you got it for a great price.  I seem to remember one selling in the $1,500 range (pink) a few years back.  It was in near mint condition but this one could be brought back to life.  It looks a little yellowed from UV exposure.  
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Kenny C on January 15, 2011, 03:31:16 PM
First a 49 and now this Congratulations!!!!!!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Doug Rose on January 15, 2011, 03:47:29 PM
Quote from: Dan on January 15, 2011, 03:11:04 PM
I picked this up on ebay and I have never had a colored 5302 but the price was right. From the looks of this picture, does this look legit? Also it looks like he mentioned it has 5302 on the bottom. Thanks

http://tinyurl.com/47t7xqn
Dan...super find my man. I agree with Dennis, poor advertising with only on picture. I went right by it. This is the same way my Green North slipped through the cracks, poor pictures and description. NICE FIND!!!,,,,,Doug
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Tom B on January 15, 2011, 03:50:01 PM
Dan
Is it a 3/59...? :D
Seriously Great Find!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: HarrySmith on January 15, 2011, 05:19:31 PM
Another great find! Congrats!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 15, 2011, 06:44:01 PM
I  actually saw this yesterday and forgot about it. Then "Mr Helpful"---I now love this guy whomever he was--- asked the question about the markings and dial. This clued me in on it being a 5302.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Kenny C on January 15, 2011, 07:36:59 PM
I wouldnt have noticed. THe only way I could tell is that the plate under the finger wheel is a shade or two off from the rest of the phone
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 15, 2011, 08:38:15 PM
Nice seller, he got this and a yellow donut phone at a garage sale for cheap.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan/Panther on January 15, 2011, 11:09:25 PM
Hey Dan. Maybe it's the name...
Dan AKA D/P
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Kenny C on January 15, 2011, 11:13:56 PM
I am changing my name ;)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JorgeAmely on January 15, 2011, 11:53:27 PM
Quote from: Dennis Markham on January 15, 2011, 03:20:06 PM
... Let me modify my statement...you got it for a great price.  I seem to remember one selling in the $1,500 range (pink) a few years back ...

Dan, let me help Dennis here: You STOLE it!

Congratulations sir. A well deserved phone for a great ebay observer.

Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 22, 2011, 05:47:12 PM
It came today. My wife has the camera till tomorrow so I will post pics later.

The box had a two inch dent on the side so I was nervous unpacking .. It was ok however, since she followed the packing instructions we talk about so much on this site.

It is the real deal!!  :D ;D.

The housing is 10-3-59 and the handset is a 59 too. ABS, not tenite. The wall cord was cut off even with the base but it was there. I think I can find a 59 pink to use.

It is faded but not yellowed. The dial is slow and I have never lubed a 5-H so I'll just have to figure that out(can't be much different than a WE500)
Interesting markings on the base--it was a 12-50 302 that was refurbed in 10-59 into a pink 5302. WE really was a master at using up the old stock. I have a few 500 pinks and the family really can't tell it much from a regular 500. It also has the adjustable ringer too.

The U-1 element is stuck in the handset so I can't figure out how to get it loose (hairdryer?)

I'll post pictures of this rare phone once I clean her. I am only going to Novus two her, I don't have the nerve to sand this one.  :)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Craig T on January 22, 2011, 06:13:12 PM
Unreal Dan, congrats! Can't wait to see the pics.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jim Stettler on January 22, 2011, 08:57:17 PM
A very nice Deal on a very obscure and scarce phone. My hat is off to you.
You should list this in the find of the month .
JMO,
Jim
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 22, 2011, 09:15:41 PM
Thanks, I just listed it.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 27, 2011, 10:03:11 AM
Finally got a chance to post some pictures. I haven't even wiped off the phone. I hate it when life gets in the way of phones and hobbies ;).

This is really an unusual one. Amazing is the seller got it at a garage sale with a donut phone real cheap. It is really more bubble gum pink than my 500's and a little faded, but I am only going to Novus two her and put up cleaner pictures later.

(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt253/dvortv/pink5302001.jpg)

(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt253/dvortv/pink5302002.jpg)

(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt253/dvortv/pink5302003.jpg)

(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt253/dvortv/pink5302004.jpg)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: baldopeacock on January 27, 2011, 10:26:08 AM
Looks like the case date is '59, which probably explains the late 50s/early 60s feet.   Nice collection of vermillion refurb marks inside the base, too.    :)    This was a heck of a find, congratulations.   Seller found it at a garage sale... I guess there's still out there if you're in the right place at the right time.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JorgeAmely on January 27, 2011, 11:37:54 AM
Dan:

Excellent acquisition. Looking at the footpads used during the last refurb, I noticed they are made of plastic and that they are starting to show some rust on the corners, just like early 60s phones that were retrofitted with these pads from the factory. If you had the time, I would "refurb it at home" one more time and replace those with leather pads, like those recovered by Dennis (the other Dennis). Since this phone is very rare, it would be worth it. My 2 cents.

PS: I tried your magic ultrasonic dust this past weekend, on a dial for Crag T, and I was surprised. That stuff works very well, even though I used tap water. It even brought back the original color to the copper parts. Thanks!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dave F on January 27, 2011, 12:38:07 PM
Yup, the real McCoy.  A super find at a super price.  Certainly a great candidate for "Find Of The Month".  I've been looking for one of these for years, and I too overlooked this one.  You should get a medal for your "eagle eye".  Congratulations!

Dave
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 27, 2011, 01:26:33 PM
Jorge, it's funny that you should mention the plastic feet.  I had sent Dan a message earlier today telling him that I have four NOS footpads (Neoprene) for the 5302 that I'd be willing to give to him to improve the set.  His appear to be fastened on with screws.  So they can be removed, cleaned of the rust and new pads put in place.  Unless he wants to keep them original.  But leather pads would look nice as well.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 27, 2011, 09:52:24 PM
Thanks guys, Dennis I PM'd you and would love to have your feet. (don't take that too personal ;))
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on January 27, 2011, 10:31:18 PM
Quote from: JorgeAmely on January 27, 2011, 11:37:54 AM
Dan:

Excellent acquisition. Looking at the footpads used during the last refurb, I noticed they are made of plastic and that they are starting to show some rust on the corners, just like early 60s phones that were retrofitted with these pads from the factory. If you had the time, I would "refurb it at home" one more time and replace those with leather pads, like those recovered by Dennis (the other Dennis). Since this phone is very rare, it would be worth it. My 2 cents.

PS: I tried your magic ultrasonic dust this past weekend, on a dial for Crag T, and I was surprised. That stuff works very well, even though I used tap water. It even brought back the original color to the copper parts. Thanks!

I forgot about the dust.  Glad to help. When did you get the ultrasonic cleaner?I thought the one you got from ebay turned out to to be broken.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: JorgeAmely on January 28, 2011, 12:40:23 AM
Dan:

After the ebay unit flopped, I bought one from Amazon. Not as powerful, but does a decent job.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Doug Rose on January 28, 2011, 09:34:22 AM
Quote from: Dan on January 27, 2011, 09:52:24 PM
Thanks guys, Dennis I PM'd you and would love to have your feet. (don't take that too personal ;))
Holy Rex Ryan Batman!!!!!
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Doug Rose on February 13, 2011, 08:08:59 AM
Recently a member on one of the Lists was asking to trade a Pink 5302 for a Blue 302. I thought it was a very one sided deal, but it has me thinking about color 5302s. I don't know much about them. I know they were only made a short time and Dan recently found a beautiful pink one. Question is, what colors besides pink did 5302s come in? I have seen an Ivory, anyone have a color 5302 in their collection? Lets see some pictures....thanks....Doug


"I have a Pink 5302, without chips or cracks, that I would like to work a trade for a Blue 302 in similar condition.  If you are interested and would like to work a trade, contact me direct."
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: HarrySmith on February 13, 2011, 08:17:26 AM
Yeah, I saw that too. Did not make much sense to me unless someone has multiple Blue 302's and he would add cash.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on February 13, 2011, 08:20:47 AM
Are you saying the blue 302 is more valuable or the pink 5302 is more valuable? I think the blue is more common, at least from what I see on ebay.

Here's the colours of 5302's copied and pasted from paul's excellent site. A clear one would be a sight to see!

pink, aqua, biege, white,
red, green, clear

(With G3 handsets)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Doug Rose on February 13, 2011, 09:32:29 AM
Dan....Yes....I was saying I thought the Blue 302 is more desirable, not a slam against your Pink 5302. That's why I was asking, so in your opinion the Pink 5302 is the more desirable set of the two? I really have zero experience or knowledge with the color 5302s....thanks
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 13, 2011, 09:37:20 AM
Quote from: Dan on February 13, 2011, 08:20:47 AM
Are you saying the blue 302 is more valuable or the pink 5302 is more valuable? I think the blue is more common, at least from what I see on ebay.

Here's the colours of 5302's copied and pasted from paul's excellent site. A clear one would be a sight to see!

pink, aqua, biege, white,
red, green, clear

(With G3 handsets)

There is 1 clearwith g handset and another clear housing (that I know of).

I have a white one.  I think a pink 5302 is scarcer than a blue 302 .JMO,Jim

Jim
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Sargeguy on February 13, 2011, 11:04:04 AM
I think the pink 5302 is less common.  That does not always translate into more valuable however.  Some phones are so rare that no one really knows anything about them=not a lot of people looking for them.  A lot of collectors want all the colors of a 302, creating a higher demand.  5302s are the bastard child of the 500 and 300 series anyway so may not command as much as a premium, even the colored ones-yet.  If someone did an article on colored 5302s it would generate more interest.  I think the $50 Pink 5302 will get more and more valuable/collectible as time goes on. At least $75-100 ;)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Dan on February 13, 2011, 04:01:31 PM
Quote from: Kidphone on February 13, 2011, 09:32:29 AM
Dan....Yes....I was saying I thought the Blue 302 is more desirable, not a slam against your Pink 5302. That's why I was asking, so in your opinion the Pink 5302 is the more desirable set of the two? I really have zero experience or knowledge with the color 5302s....thanks

I'd rather have a blue 302, simply because I like blue phones better :)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Sargeguy on February 13, 2011, 10:16:49 PM
Remember pink phones bring out the crazies.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: david@london on December 16, 2013, 05:31:08 AM
this white 5302 sold for $355 last night.........http://tinyurl.com/mlvr5es
shell is marked 9 22 59, elements are 9 59, ringer 5 49.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Doug Rose on December 16, 2013, 07:45:48 AM
It also had a crack in the front right (left?) corner. It went much higher than I expected ...Doug
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Contempra on December 16, 2013, 08:46:25 AM
At this price it is too much paid and sometimes some buyers are too eager (((( hurry up ))))to buy and do not look properly in order to detect cracks or other things. :)
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Kenton K on December 16, 2013, 10:57:39 AM
I didn't know WE made white 5302s. I though they were all black. Did they make any other colors?

Ken
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: AE_Collector on December 16, 2013, 12:26:10 PM
It amazes me that they could bother making a few in color when the 500's in color were in production and all they were trying to do was get some old 302's back into the field to help meet demand for phones and phone service. Most people still just wanted black phones then so why not just make black 5302's and put the customer into a shiny new 500 if they wanted color?

Terry
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Russ Kirk on December 16, 2013, 02:49:10 PM
In some parts of the country uncommon phones like this are very hard to find. I often see other collectors say a phone went for too much money. But as noted there was a old thread that discussed these phones.  The thread is over 4 years ago. So if phones like these only come up every few years, i don't think these prices are too far off. After all, if it was for sale at a phone show and i could examine it closely It could have sold.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on December 27, 2013, 09:45:13 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 16, 2013, 12:26:10 PM
It amazes me that they could bother making a few in color when the 500's in color were in production and all they were trying to do was get some old 302's back into the field to help meet demand for phones and phone service. Most people still just wanted black phones then so why not just make black 5302's and put the customer into a shiny new 500 if they wanted color?

Terry
I think Western Electric tried making 5302s in color, but it never really took off.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on February 12, 2019, 08:32:48 AM
There once was quite a few Rose Beige 554s.  I have one.  A couple of years ago, there was a pink 5302 on E-Bay. 
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Key2871 on February 12, 2019, 08:58:26 AM
In all my years of looking and hunting for old phones, I have never seen a white 5302, I've only seen black. And usually not in very good condition..
You have some very impressive sets there Dennis, very nice indeed. Congratulations on those.

Ken
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 12, 2019, 01:48:32 PM
I have only found 1 color 5302, It is white
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2502.msg34179#msg34179
I think that is the only photo I have of it.

Per Paul F.'s site they were made in pink, aqua, biege, white,
red, green, clear.

Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: HarrySmith on February 12, 2019, 02:47:12 PM
I just did a quick search for Clear 5302. Lots of discussion on them but not a single picture. Some people say they have seen one. Are there any pictures? Is this the "Bigfoot" of telephones? Lots of "sightings" but no real pictures?
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: andre_janew on February 12, 2019, 06:24:15 PM
Either that or there are pictures and they are too blurry to make out any details.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 12, 2019, 11:38:09 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on February 12, 2019, 02:47:12 PM
I just did a quick search for Clear 5302. Lots of discussion on them but not a single picture. Some people say they have seen one. Are there any pictures? Is this the "Bigfoot" of telephones? Lots of "sightings" but no real pictures?
Haven't seen any photos. I was in touch with a collector who had one. We were  never able to make a deal. I had got the tip from a different collector who had seen the phone in person.
The other set was a less substantial rumour, but it did seem to be a different set.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Payphone installer on February 13, 2019, 09:03:05 PM
I hve seen a clear 5302 phone at a ATCA show in Indiana many years ago. John Huck had it for sale. They were made. I have also opened every color but clear. They are rare but they exist. It is like the soft plastic 302's yep they were made I owned 4.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 14, 2019, 10:19:13 AM
Quote from: Payphone installer on February 13, 2019, 09:03:05 PM
I hve seen a clear 5302 phone at a ATCA show in Indiana many years ago. John Huck had it for sale. They were made. I have also opened every color but clear. They are rare but they exist. It is like the soft plastic 302's yep they were made I owned 4.
John was who I got the tip from. I have also owned soft plastic 302's and a soft red princess.
Title: Re: Color 5302s
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on April 08, 2020, 06:17:05 PM
I have a Rose Beige 554, and I used to see quite a few of them in some stores built in the 50s.  Are you sure that discolored white 5302 isn't actually ivory?