Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => Intercom & Interphone Systems => Topic started by: gpo706 on September 06, 2009, 08:05:45 PM

Title: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on September 06, 2009, 08:05:45 PM
Just got this for £6:

10 key set:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330355275775&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT ( dead link 02-15-21 )

Hardly "1921" theres a date stamped on the receiver "29/11/63" the day LBJ instigated the Warren Commision!

I took it out the packing by the cradle set and one of the sides and the top came off, but its all fine otherwise, just needs glued together again.

Handset is the best I've seen no chips or cracks, the mouldings on these Dictographs are very thin at the edge of the cups and rarely have no chips in them.

The handset cord is 3 wire straight braid, and the slightest application of a fingernail will strip the braid sheath off, so it's getting a new modified 706/746 black coiled cable instead.

So now I have a nice wallmounted 6 key, its scabbier sibling, the greasy 6 key base unit (must been from the canteen) and the 7 key that came with the 706.

Waiting for a set of croc clip test leads for my linesman phone to try and get a voltage through them, for now they all (apart from the decorative wallmount) in their respective bits in a box.

One day, eh?

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: McHeath on September 07, 2009, 12:27:49 AM
That's a cool phone, will you be able to set it up to work?  I've never seen anything like them in my travels in the US, but maybe there is something out there as I in no way know much of what is out there. 
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on September 07, 2009, 02:25:01 PM
I think It was a US company to begin with, but hived off their operations in UK/Europe at some point, these turn up quite often on e-bay, but there's a dearth of info as to voltages/diagrams etc.

Also surprising that the company would take the installations away after about 10 years, and replaced them all the old units being scrapped or recycled, maybe not surprising seeing all the wooden housings were custom built.

Nice display items, nevertheless.

http://www.bobsoldphones.net/Pages/Dictograph/Dictograph.htm

http://www.dustygizmos.com/arcpages/arcphones.htm
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: HobieSport on September 07, 2009, 03:38:00 PM
An incredibly cool looking gismo. Albeit early 1960s and not 1920s, not that I would know anything about it. I hope you get it working. I admit that I always wanted a working dictograph so that I could call my reliable secretary from the next room by flicking a switch and saying in my best Bogart voice...
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on October 27, 2010, 11:38:33 AM
Hobie - found a way to make these work on phone lines:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3692.0
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 05, 2012, 07:01:51 PM
Here's a dictograph in a rather smart style I don't think I've seen before

Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Intercom-/251077647035?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item3a7564dabb)

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on June 11, 2012, 06:44:37 AM
Owain, another drink I owe you, mine for £5 & £6 P&P.

Looks like a Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired design!

Thanks again dude.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 11, 2012, 06:57:29 AM
I think you have to buy some multicore cable and wire them up as Dictographs rather than POTS phones.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on June 11, 2012, 01:03:14 PM
Owain, you're welcome to try, I'll buy the cable and supply a screwdriver if you want! ;D
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 11, 2012, 01:50:57 PM
I've got my hands full with a HES 4 thank you very much  :D
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 22, 2012, 03:33:55 PM
And another one with lightning flashes ...

ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140806548213)

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: twocvbloke on July 22, 2012, 09:18:23 PM
Nice Double-D's you got there..... ;)
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on July 22, 2012, 10:26:11 PM
Nice set! (so to speak).

Its a master station, and looks like it has a mother-in-law or watch receiver on the side, rather than a handset.

Very archaic looking, could imagine it on some millionaires desk in a Marx brothers movie.

Also seems to have "dolls eyes" indicators on the first rank of switches, never seen that before on a Dictograph.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on October 28, 2012, 08:16:35 PM
This is  sitting on the shelf gathering dust, I tried the old style 2 wire rewire and I can get a dialling tone but it is very faint.

Maybe it needs 12V in it to make it work?
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on October 29, 2012, 04:31:56 AM
Quote from: gpo706 on October 28, 2012, 08:16:35 PM
This is  sitting on the shelf gathering dust, I tried the old style 2 wire rewire and I can get a dialling tone but it is very faint.

Maybe it needs 12V in it to make it work?

induction coil / impedance matching issues possibly.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on November 02, 2012, 06:35:46 PM
I think from the logo this is a Dictograph stand-alone speaker,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261119957508 ( dead link 02-15-21 )
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on November 20, 2012, 07:37:57 PM
Possibly one for our US colleagues

Ebay: Dictr=ograph from City Hall, Waterloo, Iowa (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atq-Dictograph-Secretaries-Intercom-Telephone-System-Waterloo-Iowa-24-space-/160923763635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2577cdc3b3) ( dead link 02-15-21 )
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on November 21, 2012, 02:27:17 AM
Now that really does deserve the description "Art Deco", stunning.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Greg G. on November 21, 2012, 10:44:24 AM
Quote from: gpo706 on October 27, 2010, 11:38:33 AM
Hobie - found a way to make these work on phone lines:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3692.0

I'm laughing at myself because I just spent a good 20 minutes trying to find that thread using every key word I could think of, and here it was all the time. 
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on November 21, 2012, 11:07:16 AM
Quote from: Brinybay on November 21, 2012, 10:44:24 AM
Quote from: gpo706 on October 27, 2010, 11:38:33 AM
Hobie - found a way to make these work on phone lines:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3692.0

I'm laughing at myself because I just spent a good 20 minutes trying to find that thread using every key word I could think of, and here it was all the time. 

It's only 2 years old.

You try searching 20+ years of Usenet ...
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on February 10, 2013, 06:52:20 PM
I do hope this isn't too traumatic for tender viewers, but Dictographs have appeared in the Lamp Phone Atrocities thread.  :'(

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg93939#msg93939

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 07, 2013, 01:29:32 PM
Another nice Dictograph on ebay UK

EBAY (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111114528290)

QuoteLarge old wooden internal switchboard from Dictograph. Original cable, switches lights, and black plastic/Bakelite headset. Switches are marked:

Typists
Tele Ex
Wait
Office
Enquiry
Engaged.

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: poplar1 on July 07, 2013, 01:38:40 PM
It appears that this one could connect to the telephone exchange (TELE EX). I believe that the ones in the US were used simply as intercoms.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 07, 2013, 05:42:25 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on July 07, 2013, 01:38:40 PM
It appears that this one could connect to the telephone exchange (TELE EX). I believe that the ones in the US were used simply as intercoms.

The British ones were only intercoms as well. The switchboard operator would have had a Dictograph station so she could call or be called by Dictograph users separately from the switchboard system.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on July 09, 2013, 08:10:14 PM
Very nice "master" set, I'm out of room for any more!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 10, 2013, 08:07:45 AM
Could you put the ones you've got a little bit closer together and squeeze a new one on the end of the shelf?
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on July 10, 2013, 11:14:09 PM
They are close, and there are no shelves left!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 11, 2013, 07:49:13 AM
Quote from: gpo706 on July 10, 2013, 11:14:09 PM
They are close, and there are no shelves left!

If you've run out of wall to put shelves on, here's how to almost double your shelving:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-XKAT0Ly84
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: twocvbloke on July 11, 2013, 02:07:26 PM
Quote from: gpo706 on July 10, 2013, 11:14:09 PM
They are close, and there are no shelves left!

Get thee to Ikea and buy some "Gorm" shelving units with some extra shelves... ;D

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S79903628/
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on July 11, 2013, 08:43:42 PM
I think we could all do with one of the archival rolling units 2cv!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania (Reliance)
Post by: Owain on November 05, 2013, 06:15:44 PM
Not Dictograph, but one of their competitors - Reliance!

A nice advertisement on ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-RELIANCE-TELEPHONE-COMPANY-LTD-1951-Advertisments-/310787244228)

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on December 08, 2013, 05:08:17 PM
A Telephone Rentals (TR) Dictograph-style telephone

Ebay link (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151184829988)

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Contempra on December 08, 2013, 06:49:26 PM
This phone is at a good prices . i've never seen one like this may be cause i'm in Canada :)
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on December 09, 2013, 10:48:26 AM
I will be keeping my eye on this, thanks Owain.

Needs some serious woodwork restoration though!

Dictograph became / taken over / rebranded as Telephone Rentals c. 1967, so it's a Dicto in all but name.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on January 19, 2014, 04:54:10 PM
I've added another one with photos to this thread
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4603.msg117647#msg117647
in case anyone isn't watching it
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on August 17, 2014, 05:37:41 PM
A nice Dictograph advert which could be framed or enlarged ...

Ebay linky (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151339439590) ( dead link 02-15-21 )
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: DavePEI on August 17, 2014, 09:30:53 PM
Quote from: Owain on August 17, 2014, 05:37:41 PM
A nice Dictograph advert which could be framed or enlarged ...

Ebay linky (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151339439590)

Something along the same lines as this one....
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on February 15, 2015, 03:02:41 PM
A slightly battered Dictograph with lots of lovely dolls'-eyes

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191512664075 ( dead link 02-15-21 )
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 08, 2015, 04:49:59 PM
Another nice Dicto (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Original-DICTOGRAPH-Telephone-System-Made-In-England-Bakelite-Handset-/301656031841) ( dead link 02-15-21 )



Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Russ Kirk on June 08, 2015, 04:54:29 PM
Looks nice!  What stood out was how they spelled DISPATCH - DESPATCH.

And also ENQUIRES.

UK differences.

From the web...
Enquiry and Inquiry
The nouns enquiry and inquiry can mean question, inquest, or investigation. They can be used interchangeably, but in the US, inquiry is the more widely accepted. The words enquiry and inquiry derive from the verbs to enquire and to inquire.

Not So Simple in the UK
In the UK, a distinction between enquiry and inquiry is developing. The word inquiry is being used in relation to a formal inquest (i.e., an investigation), while enquiry is being used to denote the act of questioning. However, there is still notable leniency on this distinction. Of note, many in the US will consider enquiry a spelling mistake of inquiry.

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 08, 2015, 06:24:29 PM
Also we have "accounts", not "accounting" (although accounting wouldn't fit on the label, and Tel Ex had to be abbrvtd.)
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: twocvbloke on June 08, 2015, 07:49:55 PM
Quote from: Owain on June 08, 2015, 06:24:29 PMand Tel Ex had to be abbrvtd.

I had to think about that one, as I thought it said "Telex", not "Tel. Ex."... ;D
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on June 16, 2015, 07:37:24 AM
A set of 9 dictograph phones all from the same house!

Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dictograph-internal-phone-set-of-9-/281723618462) ( dead link 02-15-21 )

Collection from Falkirk, central Scotland or £10 postage.

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on December 17, 2015, 04:05:18 PM
Cased salesman's Telephone Rentals Ltd. Dictograph demonstartion set probably dating to around 1960. The dictograph is a K9452.L Type B model and is complete with TR (Telephone Rentals) speaker, Vitavox microphone and cabling. Housed in a velvet lined reinforced lockable travel case (no key), the exchange unit is labelled with examples of various company members/departments.

Cased salesman's Telephone Rentals Ltd. Dictograph demonstartion set probably dating to around 1960. The dictograph is a K9452.L Type B model and is complete with speaker, microphone and cabling. Housed in a velvet lined reinforced lockable travel case (no key), the exchange unit is labelled with examples of various company members/departments.

Ebay Link (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221971571694) ( dead link 02-15-21 )
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: gpo706 on December 21, 2015, 05:51:21 PM
Very tempted Owain, very, very, tempted. Thanks for the tip-off
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Greg G. on March 12, 2017, 01:16:12 AM
Here's mine: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3692.msg49045#msg49045
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on March 25, 2017, 05:22:23 PM
Dictograph for a fiver!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-TELEPHONE-6-OUTPUTS-NOT-WORKING-JUST-NEEDS-REINSTALLING-/292066950513

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 25, 2017, 05:27:19 PM
That is a find of the month phone. Please nominate it.
JMO,
Jim S.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on March 25, 2017, 05:59:54 PM
It might sell for more than a fiver ...
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 25, 2017, 06:02:53 PM
Sorry, I thought you bought it for a fiver.
Jim S.
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on April 02, 2017, 03:02:21 PM
It did actually sell for a fiver! (But not to me.)

Here's a nice "Double D Lightning" model

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/antique-phone-/272615284576 ( dead link 02-15-21 )

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on April 22, 2017, 04:10:26 PM
And to power your Dictograph you need a ... Dictograph battery!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Very-rare-Vintage-Dictograph-Dry-cell-battery-Pre-war-/272641320464 (dead link 02-15-21)

£31.50 though eh!!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on November 14, 2017, 05:00:18 PM
A complete set on offer!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-dictograph/272930031030

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Pourme on November 14, 2017, 06:30:17 PM
Odd location to stage a photo session....
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Greg G. on November 15, 2017, 11:04:04 AM
Quote from: Pourme on November 14, 2017, 06:30:17 PM
Odd location to stage a photo session....

I was thinking the same thing!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on July 14, 2018, 04:21:40 PM
Master and two substations, starting from £100.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dictograph-Office-Telephone-System-ART-DECO-PROP/232849075741
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on January 10, 2019, 04:05:22 PM
And some junction boxes / covers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Vintage-Bakelite-Dictograph-Telephone-System-Covers-2-x-9x3-16-5x3/233040726484 ( dead link 02-15-21 )

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on May 06, 2019, 05:12:17 PM
It's been a little while since we saw a Dictograph and this one has a couple of nice junction boxes

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Dictograph-Dictomatic-Wood-And-Bakelite-Dispatch-Rotary-Dial-Telephone/173895344667

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on January 30, 2021, 02:06:22 PM
A trio of dictographs, starting at £20 + £6.50 delivery
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dictograph-Internal-Telephone-System/313400749302

Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: 280Parka on January 30, 2021, 07:19:42 PM
Quote from: Pourme on November 14, 2017, 06:30:17 PM
Odd location to stage a photo session....

That was exactly my first reaction!
Title: Re: Dictograph mania
Post by: Owain on February 18, 2021, 02:38:02 PM
Quote from: Owain on January 30, 2021, 02:06:22 PM
A trio of dictographs, starting at £20 + £6.50 delivery
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dictograph-Internal-Telephone-System/313400749302

And sold for £20.