Just listed on eBay is this interesting stick. I've never seen that type of receiver "hook" before. Were these common? How were they used? What kind of receiver was used with this stick? What's it worth, maybe an auction contest (maybe not)?
Seems to have been made in Genoa, IL by Gracraft-Leich Electric Co.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unusual-Style-CraCraft-Leicht-Electric-Co-Candlestick-Telephone-/282120217311
put your watchcase rec with headband in the cup
Quote from: rdelius on August 06, 2016, 09:51:58 PM
put your watchcase rec with headband in the cup
Thanks, that makes sense. I've seen single hooks for those but never a cup. Crossed that off my bucket list.
That's the Mother-in-Law model. Doesn't need an ear piece, because she never stops talking.
Dan
Quote from: Dan/Panther on August 07, 2016, 11:14:11 AM
That's the Mother-in-Law model. Doesn't need an ear piece, because she never stops talking.
Dan
Love it.....That hit close to home here! Ha!
Is this telephone documented anywhere?
Watchcase receivers, like bell receivers, generally hang on the side so that they can be lifted easily. Trying to pick up a receiver that is sitting within what looks like an inverted transmitter cup appears to be a recipe for fumbling and dropping it.
I have only ever seen one candlestick with a shelf instead of a hook and that was for a bell receiver. I don't know if that was original either.
Jack
I think that AE and Am Electric also made a similar set.The cup was a trans cup without the side screw holes and no mounting lug.One hole through the cup that went to a hookswitch arm.You picked up the watchase rec by the dangling headband.
Quote from: rdelius on August 07, 2016, 10:11:58 PM
I think that AE and Am Electric also made a similar set.The cup was a trans cup without the side screw holes and no mounting lug.One hole through the cup that went to a hookswitch arm.You picked up the watchase rec by the dangling headband.
I have never seen those documented either. Has anyone?
Jack
For $50 delivered, I took the plunge. It sure looks cool.....whether its real or not...Doug
I got to work on it a little this morning, Nickel is better than I expected, base as some oxidation in the back so that was a disappointment.
I cleaned everything and just put a light coat of paint on the base to see if it is worth fixing. I think it is. Never seen anything quite like this. I have a Leich stick, but not a Cracraft-Leich so I am happy with it. I think I will just replace the base and keep everything else as is.
I have a watchcase, not a Leich, so that is my next part of this.
Any opinions on what this might have been. nobody seemed to want it. I think I got a steal for $50 delevered....Doug
With a WE watchcase receiver that was part of a old tech's "wand" to hear tone while locating pairs in IDFs....This sure looks like the cup was to hold a watchcase....Doug
Why all the doubt about this?I have seen them in the past and the parts were not crude..looked factory
Robbie....so you think it is real? Good news ;D ....thanks....Doug
I asked the TCI list yesterday and did not receive a response, so I guess not much is known about it. I have been collecting telephones for over 35 years and have never seen anything quite like it.
I am looking for a Leich watch case to complete it...BUT I am not sure if a watch case receiver is to be used or a regular candlestick handset as it would fit as well.
I sure am lucky it feel through the cracks.....Doug
It's really interesting and would be great to have a target to shoot for in your restoration efforts, Doug.
I don't remember seeing a similar set (by any maker) in documentation or at shows - or even in listserv discussions or ebay auctions over the last 20 years or so.
You'd think something like this would have shown up somewhere. It may take a while to find it.
Perhaps the ATCA list would be a good info source.
Have you tried Ron Knappen's books? He captured a lot of unusual ads.
thanks Paul....I'll continue digging....thanks for your input....Doug
No luck anywhere. If Robbie didn't say he had seen one, I would think it's a home brew. I am very happy with it displayed with a watch case. ...Doug
I thought I'd try this again, I got this in 2016 and no one had a firm idea if it was real or not. Robby said he had seen them before, but this is such an oddity. Any information is greatly appreciated....Doug
Regular Member Post (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=20151.msg206412#msg206412)
A quick search turned up the naming history of the phone/company, which everyone probably already knew, that I found interesting.
"Leich began as Eureka in the late 1800's in St. Louis & Chicago, then became Graycraft Liech (sp) [after it's founders] around 1902 and later Liech (sp) [Graycraft departed]. It's home for many years was Genoa, Illinois. In the 1950's they were absorbed by Automatic Electric Company who continued with the same product until stock was depleted"
This was found in a Google search so authenticity/verification is unknown. The history was given by the seller of a 1930s rotary Leich Model 62.
Limited hits on Google and nothing related to this particular candlestick.
Sure looks like Cracraft Leich to me....Doug
Craycraft is J.R. Craycraft
Leich is O.M. Leich
Source:Telephony vol. 62 no. 7 page 218
https://books.google.com/books?id=WzBGAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA218
They attended a convention regarding Telephone accounting systems.
Jim
Doug, I am curious how the watchcase receiver holder is attached to the switchook. Can you post a top down photo?
Hey Russ...he is the pic .....Doug
Thanks for posting Doug. That is certainly a unique and interesting phone. It is a keeper in any collection that will have many comments.
Thanks Russ