Auction 98: Western Electric "A1" Desk Telephone with E1 Handset

[TelePlay]

We've seem to have another one of these rarest, and most sought after, "A1" desk telephones for this Contest and it comes with the correct notchless #2HB dial. One of these was the contest phone in Auction Contest 22 in February of 2009. It sold for $1,725.00 back then. This 7 day auction began at $75 and after only 4 hours, the phone has been bid up to $605 by 3 bidders placing 15 bids.

bingster said for that contest in 2009 that "The "A-mount" Western Electric desk telephone immediately preceded the "B-mount," but was given the "A" designation by collectors.  Constructed from a modified desk stand base, this was the Bell System's first handset mounting."

Seller listed it as a "Rare very old Western Electric Desk phone with E1 handset" with an item condition as "Used: good condition with original cloth covered cords. (Just dusty)" and claims "Vintage Antique Western Electric desk phone from probably the late teens or early 1920s. Not sure of the model number but it has an E1 handset. No chips or dings. All cloth cords appear to be the original and are brown. The line cord is extra long and only has 3 conductors. Looks like a transition between a candlestick and the model 202, Shipping will be $11.50 . . . "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171116969411

So, what will this "rare" phone bring this time around?

And here's another chance to either move up a rung or to get onto the Contest Standings list, you have to play to win! New members on the forum are always very welcome to take a guess. As always, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. If anyone wants to see the phones that have been in past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <-.


S C O R E B O A R D

$   861.00 - poplar1  ( 2 )
$   975.00 - Sargeguy  ( 14 )
$1,050.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 1 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $1,032.00
$1,111.11 - zaphod01  ( 11 )
$1,175.00 - Phonesrfun  ( 15 )
$1,270.00 - AE_Collector  ( 9 )
$1,335.00 - Doug Rose  ( 4 )
$1,556.00 - tallguy58  ( 7 )
$1,628.00 - TelePlay  ( 16 )
$1,700.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 10 )
$1,851.01 - HarrySmith  ( 8 )
$2,000.00 - Mr. Bones  ( 3 )
$2,111.00 - Kenton K  ( 5 )
$2,255.00 - MagicMo  ( 13 )
$2,400.00 - New England Tel.  ( 12 )
$2,750.00 - southernphoneman  ( 6 )


Early Morning Auction Status Changes

8-30-13   Listed  $75.00
8-31-13  18 bids $700.00 ,
9-02-13  19 bids $700.00
9-03-13  21 bids $720.00
9-04-13  26 bids $849.00
9-05-13  27 bids $849.00
9-06-13  28 bids $935.99
9-06-13  7 bidders, 34 bids $1,032.00  Ended 13:26:31 PDT

[WesternElectricBen]

1050.00

[poplar1]

861$

[Mr. Bones]

A cool $2000.00, sez I...

[Doug Rose]

Beautiful A1 with the Correct notchless 2HB dial....Doug..................$1335

[Kenton K]

Wow. There is still 6 more days and it is already over 700, (and way past my miniscule budget). I wonder if the seller knew what he had on his hands! I think it is going to go for $ 2,111.

[Doug Rose]

Wow. There is still 6 more days and it is already over 700, (and way past my miniscule budget). I wonder if the seller knew what he had on his hands! I think it is going to go for $ 2,111.

With an opening bid of $75, I would guess he is thrilled and had no idea what he had. Porobably thought he had a D1 202.

Janet found my Working A1 with subset in an Antique store in like new condition at the very high D1 202 price of $229 that is was advertised as! At the time, that was my "Dream" phone...Doug

[tallguy58]

$1,556.00.

Originally, what subset would have been connected to that?

[HarrySmith]

$1851.01

[AE_Collector]

Wow, only one other auction contest in the past with an A1 as the subject? It is good that you got a handle on what phones have been used in past contests John as I would have guessed that 1A phones had been candidates several times now and may have therefore passed on this opportunity.

I guess $1270.

Terry

[kleinkaliber]

1,700.00

[zaphod01]

$1, 111.11

[New England Tel.]

$2400.00

[MagicMo]

$2,255
Mo

[Sargeguy]

$975