Auction 104: American Bell 3 Box Telephone with 1878 & 1879 patent dates

[TelePlay]

Here's an interesting 3 boxer found on eBay right now. This phone started at $9.99 and about one day later, with 6 bidders and 31 bids, it's up to $510.09. With just under 6 days left in this 7 day auction, it will be interesting to watch what happens, and to see what the final selling price will be.

The seller listed it as an "Antique 3 Box Telephone with 1878 & 1879 patent dates American Bell Telephone Co" with the item condition as "Used" and states "Up for auction this evening is an Estate fresh Antique 3 Box Telephone with 1878 & 1879 patent dates, American Bell Telephone Co.  This is truly barn fresh, probably been in a small barn/shed for 100 years or more.  I have no touched this piece, just dusted it off a little.  The top box has some damage as pictured.... It is signed on the lightning arrester on top is signed MADE FOR THE AMERICAN BELL TELEPHONE CO.   A number 85323 is stamped into the top of the door of the top box, WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY CHICAGO & NEW YORK is stamped into the bottom of the door on the top box.  Stamped into the side of the top box is PATENTED APR.18.1878 DEC.17.1878 PAT. MAY.27.1879 JULY 29.1879 PAT. NOV.11.1879 OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR. MADE FOR THE AMERICAN BELL TELEPHONE CO. AND LICENSED TO BE USED ONLY WITH IT'S TELEPHONES.  The back mounting board measures 28.5 inches tall and 7 1/3 inches across, it has wires still connected in the back groves as pictured.  There are no other markings, just the ones pointed out n the top box.  The middle box and bottom box have no markings.  The top of the long pole has a tight crack, the boddy is painted but as far as I can tell no cracks, the cap has no cracks and has no markings. As far as shipping goes,  I Will drop it off at any shipping/freight place near Portsmouth, New Hampshire and that area, can also be picked up any time or I can meet you for pick-up/drop-off.  Also it can be picked up for free at the Charlotte Metroliner in North Carolina the first week of November, The Mount Dora, Florida Renninger's Extravaganza November 15th-17th and The Columbus, Ohio Scott antique show over Thanksgiving weekend.     A very cool piece!!  Sold as is as you see it, Enlarge the photos and zoom in for a closer look and judge for yourself the condition.  Guaranteed 100% old and authentic!!!". Nothing like getting a plug in for few shows to boot . . .  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321221096838

Still 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 and encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. It does pay to get your guess in early if you know the selling price. I will be watching guesses and helping members as the contest progresses to prevent crowding under Rule #3. With that said, have at it . . .

If you want to check out all of the phones that have been in past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <- (link works, really!)


S C O R E B O A R D

$   750.00 - K1WI  ( 10 )
$   850.00 - wds  ( 7 )
$   900.00 - TelePlay  ( 14* )
$   950.00 - AE_Collector  ( 15* )
$1,002.00 - twocvbloke  ( 6 )
$1,201.01 - HarrySmith  ( 8 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $1,235.00
$1,300.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 11 )
$1,500.00 - Kenton K  ( 12 )
$1,830.00 - poplar1  ( 4 )
$1,958.00 - tallguy58  ( 3 )
$2,228.00 - Sargeguy  ( 9* )
$2,500.14 - WesternElectricBen  ( 1 )
$2,250.00 - Gilas  ( 5 )
$2,856.45 - southernphoneman  ( 13 )
$3,250.00 - DavePEI  ( 2 )



Early Morning Auction Status Changes

10-02-13   Listed   $     9.99
10-03-13  31 bids  $  510.09 , , ,
10-07-13  32 bids  $  520.09 , ,
10-09-13  12 bidders, 39 bids $1,235.00  Ended at 17:12:18 PDT

[WesternElectricBen]

2500.14

[DavePEI]

$3250.00

[tallguy58]

$1958.......it was a good year. 

[poplar1]

1830

[Gilas]

2250

[twocvbloke]

$1002, a low-ball, but gotta be a pessimist sometimes...

And i it me, or does that discolouration on the top box look kind of like a nose (the bells are the eyes, the transmitter the mouth in an "oooooh" expression)? 

[wds]

I'll go $850

[HarrySmith]

$1201.01
The boxes are damaged in a few places, there is a piece missing from the lightning arrestor and what is up with that crank??

[Sargeguy]

There are a lot of condition issues, that should hold down the price: $3500

Actually that is a standard long pole, not Bell System:  $2228

[K1WI]

$750

[kleinkaliber]

I'll guess lucky number 1,300.00

[rdelius]

That eusc on the crank hole is Viaduct.Not sure what make the parts are. Don't look WE unless early parts were different.

[Kenton K]

1,500$

[southernphoneman]

$2856.45