Phillips Electrical Works Phone

[DavePEI]

Hi All:

For some time now I have been looking for a phone manufactured at the Phillips Electrical Woks plant in Brockville pre 1950, as shown below. When I was young, I had several of these - they were part of my early collection that my parents threw out when I went to College, thinking they and my 11 digit phones were worth nothing. They might have been right in the case of these, but certainly not in the case of the 11 digit phones in the collection.

To me they were all priceless, and the one I haven't been able to replace is this one.

I would be happy even to find the handset and cradle portion, as I have an identical Phillips subset I could add the cradle to.

If you have one or come across one, please let me know.

Dave

[LarryInMichigan]

I seem to remember seeing a phone like that in an antiques mall during the past year or two.  I don't recall which mall it was or if it was a Phillips or AE.

Larry

[DavePEI]

I seem to remember seeing a phone like that in an antiques mall during the past year or two.  I don't recall which mall it was or if it was a Phillips or AE.

Larry

Hi Larry:

AE also made an equivalent model to it, remember they were both owned by the Theodore Gary Co. My reason for wanting the Phillips version is my history with Brockville, and losing the ones Mom and Dad threw out... However, if I could find the handset and hook neck for even an AE model, I would be quite happy, as I do have the Phillips subset here that these were built on...

Dave

[LarryInMichigan]

It might have been here: link that I saw it, but my memory is not as good as it used to be, though I don't remember how good it used to be.  You could try to contact the mall and ask.  I have been to about a dozen malls in SE Michigan, so I forget what I saw where.

Larry

[DavePEI]

It might have been here: link that I saw it, but my memory is not as good as it used to be, though I don't remember how good it used to be.  You could try to contact the mall and ask.  I have been to about a dozen malls in SE Michigan, so I forget what I saw where.

Larry

Thanks, Larry. I'll check it out!

Dave

[DavePEI]

Eureka -- Found!

I have finally found one today on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=301163118294
( dead link 02-09-22 )

Description is as follows: "This is a vintage very clean Monophone Oak Wall Telephone.  There is an inspection tag on the inside with a date 27/12/45.  There is a decal on the front cover " Phillips Electrical Works Limited" and "Brockville Canada".  The serial number is Z5196A5.  The Monophone logo can be seen on the back side of the front cover and seen in the tenth photo.  The bells do ring when the handle is turned and the hand set is on the hook.  The handset bakalite is very clean with no cracks or gouges.  The wood finish is very good with minor rubs."

These phones are virtually identical to the AE-18 phones made by AE in the US, other than being made under license to AE by Phillips.

Yay! Now I have to severely cut back my expenses, but I am so happy to have one of these again, made in my home town.

(Seller's photos)

Dave

[LarryInMichigan]

Congratulations!  I am glad that you finally found one, even if it has to travel 3000 or so miles.

Larry

[DavePEI]

Congratulations!  I am glad that you finally found one, even if it has to travel 3000 or so miles.

Larry

Yep. it will be whole lot closer to home than it has been for many years, I guess. I can't tell you how happy I am. It has been a long 40 years without one! Stroke one more off the Bucket List!

Dave

[DavePEI]

If anyone is interested in the histor of the Eugene Phillips Electrical Works and Automatic Electric in Canada, see my AE Canada History page at:

http://www.islandregister.com/phones/ae.html

Here, you will not only view the history through the years of both Brockville plants, but photos of both.

Top Photo: The new AE plant opened in 1954 at 100 Strowger Blvd.
Lower Photo:  Phillips Electrical Works plant on King St. West.

Dave

[DavePEI]

The phone has begun its 3000 mile trip to me. The first step is by UPS to Erlanger, then from there by eBay shipping. I had the seller make sure the handset was shipped off cradle and that it and the cradle is bubble wrapped carefully. The handset is to be packed safely off hook.

Can't wait until it arrives!

Dave

[LarryInMichigan]

It looks like this seller has already sold a number of phones, so they should know by now how to properly pack and ship one. 

Larry

[DavePEI]

It looks like this seller has already sold a number of phones, so they should know by now how to properly pack and ship one. 

Larry

He has UPS do his packing for him, but I have seen some pretty bad packing by UPS stores, so thought it wouldn't hurt to remind him/them to ship the handset off hook, especially when getting this phone here safely means so much to me! It really was a Bucket List item for me, so I don't want to chance any damage! 

[tallguy58]

Please post pics when it arrives.

[DavePEI]

Please post pics when it arrives.

Hi Bill:

I will, but it will take a while, as it is coming Ebay Global Shipping. It left Arizona last Friday and according to the latest scan, it hasn't yet arrived in Erlanger - it is in Hodgkins, Il. right now.  Hopefully it will be in Erlanger tomorrow and will be here in another week. Frustrating when it has to take a step back and go to Kentucky before heading across the border! Just as long as it doesn't get damaged and gets here eventually.

It is funny - I had pretty well given up getting one of these, especially made in the Phillips plant. Can't wait until it arrives!

Dave

[tallguy58]

I'm glad you finally found one. It's a great feeling when you get something you've  spent years looking for.