News:

"The phone is a remarkably complex, simple device,
and very rarely ever needs repairs, once you fix them." - Dan/Panther

Main Menu

What colors did bakelite come in?

Started by Greg G., January 31, 2010, 05:40:04 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Greg G.

Black I know, brown I know, but was it ever any other (non-painted) color?  I ask because of the description of the emerald green SC 1211 in OPW says "The Bakelite handset and shell have been lovingly buffed and cleaned to restore their original luster and sheen."

http://www.oldphoneworks.com/1211-with-dial.html
The idea that a four-year degree is the only path to worthwhile knowledge is insane.
- Mike Row
e

Wallphone

AE had a lot of colors for their A1, 34, 40, and 50. Not sure about the 35.
I have also seen SC 1212 (Fatboy) in different colors.
Dougpav

gpo706

UK colours:

black
brown (or speckled brown)
cream (GPO name - ivory)
red (GPO name - poppy red)
green (GPO name - jade)

some other very rare ones, but probably paint jobs, like silver/gold.
"now this should take five minutes, where's me screwdriver went now..?"

Dan/Panther

#3
I think the photo may be off color. it looks green , but I think it's really black. I don't see a reference to color in the ad.
You may want to read the following article.
D/P

http://tinyurl.com/y9txgsu

The More People I meet, The More I Love, and MISS My Dog.  Dan Robinson

gpo706

http://telephonesuk.co.uk/phones_pre1960.htm

There's a pic of a brown one (walnut apparently) here but it looks just black in the picture.

"now this should take five minutes, where's me screwdriver went now..?"

Dan/Panther

I've personally seen Black, Brown, Maroon,  Brown/Maroon marbled, and Black / Maroon marbled.
GPO those phones look great, especially the Red One.
D/P

The More People I meet, The More I Love, and MISS My Dog.  Dan Robinson

gpo706

"now this should take five minutes, where's me screwdriver went now..?"

Greg G.

Quote from: Dan/Panther on January 31, 2010, 01:03:56 PM
I think the photo may be off color. it looks green , but I think it's really black. I don't see a reference to color in the ad.
D/P

I think you're right. 
The idea that a four-year degree is the only path to worthwhile knowledge is insane.
- Mike Row
e

teka-bb

Bakelite can be made in almost any dark color. The lighter colors like white and ivory are made from melamine resin. Melamine resin is related to bakelite but uses different ingredients.

=============================================
Regards,

Remco, JKL Museum of Telephony Curator

JKL Museum of Telephony: http://jklmuseum.com/
=============================================
TCI Library: http://www.telephonecollectors.info/
=============================================