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American Speaking Telephone

Started by wds, May 30, 2013, 07:40:40 AM

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wds

Anyone have any idea what this is?  Possibly a receiver and transmitter all in one unit, but I've never seen one like this.  Price has been creeping up over that last day or two.  Looks like a volume control below the mouthpiece.

http://tinyurl.com/n9emg84
Dave

TelePlay

Only 4 bidders and all of them big time buyers. At least 4 people know what it is. Could sell a lot higher than the $507 it's at right now. I don't have a clue as to what it is, though. Someone on the forum must.

More pictures for posterity.

rdelius

I think this is in one of Ron's books.I think it is sound powered .The knob most likely is to signal the other end.Looks to be on the early side

Sargeguy

The American Speaking Telephopne Company was established by Western Union to compete with AG Bell using Elisha Gray's patents.  I am not sure if they continued manufacturing intercoms or what happened after the arrangement was made between WU and ABT Co..
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Gilas

When I saw that I researched it online to find out more about it.  Here is a brief section on it http://www.telegraph-history.org/george-m-phelps/phone1.htm

Mike

Gilas

Wow you think he was happy about that final price!!!

TelePlay

For posterity, after sitting at $507 for two days and then, thanks to 2 snipes, jumped to the selling price of $2,125 in the last few seconds of the auction. One can only guess the top price bid by the winner, m***a 929. The other interesting sniper was n***t  8 in at $2,100.00.