Early 554

[HarrySmith]

I came across this early 554 with the black hook on eBay and put in an early bid. I was waiting to bid again at the end but it ended while I was driving home. I missed it! Did somebody here get it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-554-vintage-rotary-wall-telephone-need-to-be-fixed-/274168936075

[magicbrain]

Probably just as well you didn't win it - The shell has been replaced as it has the oval type logo, so ABS plastic.
The hook is not the early painted type, as the underside is hollow.
The early black & satin hooks are solid in that area, easy way to spot them:

[HarrySmith]

AHH, I was not aware of that fact on the hook. Thanks for pointing that out. Now I know another thing to check.