Car Load of AE50s

[DesksetCraig]

Thought I'd share this pic I just ran across. I started collecting telephones back in the early 90s. Was around antiques a lot as a kid due to my parents' interest. My girlfriend at the time told me about some old wall phones that were in the school she was attending in Santa Clara, CA. I went there one evening, looked through the windows, and couldn't believe what was in every room...Automatic Electric model 50s. I spoke with the custodian (who said he was the "contact guy"), and we agreed that when they came out for remodeling, he would call me. Well...it took about 2 years and finally it happened (I never gave up). The price went up from the original $20.00 ea to $35.00. I think I ended up with around 30 total, most complete, and some later-model desk sets. I cleaned the really nice ones up and took them to Hot August Nights where my mother had a vendor spot. Fun Times. I kept the nicest one for myself. They also had the entire pix/console unit. I wasn't smart enough at that time to try and get that as well.

[Nick in Manitou]

Wow!

[TelePlay]

No wonder they are going for so cheap on eBay these days, you flooded the market . . .   

Nice find, though. It is not that often that we see a picture of so many similar phone in one location, other than a phone show.

[Babybearjs]

I bought mine From "The Surplus Center" in Lincoln, NE back in 1980... for a whopping $9.95+ S/H. they have long sold out, but I still have mine and it works great! Its been retired to a nice place in the kitchen for viewing.... I had a friend build a backboard for it and added a #228 Modular adapter to it so it can be use again at any time.... I even have the matching AE 40 to go with it.... from $9.95 to over $200.00..... good investment!