RAT Co Phone

[tubaman]

This just went for nearly £700 on eBay (it was at about £82 until the last 20 seconds!).
Very nice, but why so much?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-RAT-Co-wall-phone-/184305518666

Antique 'Relay Automatic Telephone Company' wall phone. Looks to be adapted from a candlestick telephone. It has a single bell and an unusual handset. There's a crack in the bezel that keeps the ear piece on as seen in the photo (pretty sure this could easily be repaired with glue) and the ear piece has a  surface scratch. The dial works fine, it could do with a blast of WD40 maybe, and the whole thing could do with a good clean and some tlc. The handset wire is frayed in a few places, and would benefit from being replaced. Postage cost is for UK only, please contact me for other destinations.