AE80 From Goodwill

[Waterland]

Picked up this phone dated 12-64 from Goodwill a few weeks ago.  Bakelite handset, metal dial, and a plunger on top by the handset.  What's the plunger for?  I'm looking to possibly sell this phone, any idea on a price range?  Thanks!

[Greg G.]

What's the plunger for?

To unclog it?

[AE_Collector]

AE 81 rather than an AE 80. The button is the difference between the two models. It can be a buzzer button for the secretary or probably an exclusion button to stop other extensions from listening in on the bosses calls. Or a ground start button for PABX trunks in a power failure etc. So I guess it is a "Multi Purpose Button". As Briny says, it may be usable on April 1st to clean the dust out of the phone lines as well.

As for it's worth, probably little difference between an AE 81 and an AE 80 though the 81 is not seen all that often. Depending on your marketing skills, a black AE 80/81 might be worth $10 to $25.

Terry

[HowardPgh]

I think that button releases the hookswitch on partyline phones.
Howard