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Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: unbeldi on April 24, 2016, 09:32:47 AM

Title: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: unbeldi on April 24, 2016, 09:32:47 AM
Listed from AU was this rather unique looking intercom instrument.
It was made by the Reliance Telephone Company of London.
I have a 1920s office machine compendium with classified listings
in which the company shows up.

It has no age listed, but it could well be from the 1930s, IMHO, but may be later.
It appears to be a Bakelite material, so my first guess is late 1930s.
However, the number card company label looks much much younger in style.
Any better clues?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182096162964

It sold for US$173 + US$34 s/h.
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: Doug Rose on April 24, 2016, 10:43:42 AM
I have a very similar one on eBay today. Cheaper too!....Doug


http://www.ebay.com/itm/301939064933   ( link not active until after the listing starts later today )
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: paul-f on April 24, 2016, 10:44:46 AM
These show up on ebay fairly regularly -- usually marked Chad Valley. There were several color variations.
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: TelePlay on April 24, 2016, 10:48:52 AM
What's the purpose of the horizontal hole in the middle of the handset?
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: paul-f on April 24, 2016, 10:55:38 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on April 24, 2016, 10:48:52 AM
What's the purpose of the horizontal hole in the middle of the handset?

It seems to have a bolt that holds the two halves of the handset together.
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: 19and41 on April 24, 2016, 12:01:28 PM
I love that grained bakelite.  They used to make ashtrays and bowls with such patterns.  It could make ordinary things look so nice.
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: unbeldi on April 24, 2016, 12:14:40 PM
Quote from: paul-f on April 24, 2016, 10:44:46 AM
These show up on ebay fairly regularly -- usually marked Chad Valley. There were several color variations.

The box of the Chad Valley version states that the unit was made FOR the Chad Valley company, so it appears it was made by someone else.

Is Reliant the original manufacturer?
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: TelePlay on April 24, 2016, 12:20:02 PM
Quote from: paul-f on April 24, 2016, 10:55:38 AM

It seems to have a bolt that holds the two halves of the handset together.

Thanks, Paul.

And now I see another screw type closure on the transmitter end, on the fin, in some of the photos. Was this a two point handset latch or was the fin bolt added after the fact?
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: paul-f on April 24, 2016, 08:36:38 PM
Quote from: unbeldi on April 24, 2016, 12:14:40 PM
The box of the Chad Valley version states that the unit was made FOR the Chad Valley company, so it appears it was made by someone else.

Is Reliant the original manufacturer?

I believe the box says:

"Made exclusively for the Chad Valley Co. Ltd., Harborne, England by the General Electric Co, Ltd."
Title: Re: Interesting Mottled brown intercom by the London Reliance Co.
Post by: Jack Ryan on April 24, 2016, 08:55:48 PM
Reliance was a supplier (not a manufacturer) of PAX and intercom systems. It was part of GEC.

Jack
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