Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: Greg G. on May 06, 2009, 12:43:09 AM

Title: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on May 06, 2009, 12:43:09 AM
I think they deserve a thread all their own. Here we go!

In cyberspace, no one can hear you scream!

---------------------

EDIT:  The phones that go below are compiled in all their shining glory at this link: Lamp Phone Atrocities (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities)
( dead link 11-10-21 )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HobieSport on May 07, 2009, 01:19:42 AM
Well we've all seen perfectly good old phones that have been violated in one way or another...from strange and hideous "artistic" paint jobs, phones with trinkets and seashells and such glued all over them, phones drilled out to make them into table lamps...the sordid list of every possible desecration goes on and on...

Here's a couple from Ebay and one from Paul's site.  Notice that the AE 40 "lamp" has the sought after cradle lock for use aboard ship...oh the horror. ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on May 07, 2009, 01:23:55 AM
Good gawd, the horrors!  That last one, with the cradle lock!!  Ahhhhh!!!!! 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HobieSport on May 07, 2009, 01:35:22 AM
This googie phone is original and unscathed but it did make me think of you, Heath ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rp2813 on May 07, 2009, 01:56:26 AM
Seems to me that if they were going to wreck that AE 40 they could have at least made it so that the handset functioned as the light switch.

Ralph
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on May 07, 2009, 10:32:10 AM
I was speechless when I found these:


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HobieSport on May 07, 2009, 01:01:03 PM
Quote from: bingster
I was speechless when I found these:

O...M...G......NOOOOOOO!!!
The "Love" sticker is rather ironic too.
Obviously no love nor respect from the perpetrator for this poor victim. :P :'(
Gosh, can't folks just get a nice classic lamp and leave these poor phones well enough alone???
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on May 07, 2009, 01:16:50 PM
I'd be willing to give the $50 for it and try and plug some holes to convert it back to whence it came.  A white 6J dial and some new cords and you'd have yourself a decent example of a blue 302.  Many hundreds of dollars less than one without holes.  IF that's a plastic one and not a painted black one.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HobieSport on May 07, 2009, 03:23:35 PM
Yes I'd feel a lot better if I knew if that was a blue painted black 302.  But still...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AET on May 08, 2009, 03:19:52 PM
Ugh, I see these pop up at thrift shops and antique stores now and then and I just get queasy.  It's such a waste. 

Also, love the Bart Simpson there!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: benhutcherson on May 13, 2009, 12:10:53 AM
Came across an old Kellogg candlestick lamp at a flea market not too long ago-priced at $150.

Strangely enough, this was the same booth and seller which had previously had a WE 50AL stick priced at $50 which I (stupidly) didn't buy and missed out on. The 50AL was pretty rough, too, with a big white curly cord running from the base to the receiver and a U1 receiver element flopping around inside the receiver shell. Those things would have been easy enough to fix, though.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on May 13, 2009, 02:25:27 AM
Bingster where did you find that evil?  Somehow I think it's really blue plastic, the color is darn similar, and the hole drilled in the handset seems to be in plastic.  Is this an e-bay deed?

Ugh.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on May 13, 2009, 11:32:31 AM
I'm not sure what the ultimate origin of the photos is, but I found them on the TCI website.  I agree about the blue--I think that's solid blue plastic.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on July 05, 2009, 01:25:20 AM
What is this world coming down to?  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan on July 05, 2009, 09:17:30 AM
AE always was a step up over WE  IMO. This is a rare double mushroom prototype!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: mienaichizu on July 05, 2009, 09:57:51 AM
how could they do this >:(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on July 05, 2009, 11:55:52 AM
I bet you D/P doesn't have one of these early mushroom models. He won't be able to hold two flashlights and operate the camera all by himself.  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan/Panther on July 05, 2009, 12:52:55 PM
I had that model, what a joke, every time I used the phone, I either burned my ear or my lips. I finally ended up buying the version of the 302.
D/P
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on July 05, 2009, 02:46:23 PM
D/P, you were supposed to use mouth and ear guards when you used that handset, geesh did'nt you read the directions?
;)

Pretty, uh, "cool" phone, in a mutilated, hacked up sort of way.  Not sure what the point is, it's useless as a lamp, useless as a phone, though I guess it would hold papers down on the desk and you can still spin the dial. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan/Panther on July 05, 2009, 06:37:24 PM
It comes in handy if you have cold ears, or like sucking light bulbs.
D/P
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Stephen Furley on July 22, 2009, 03:36:34 PM
They seem to be popular at the moment.

http://tinyurl.com/n6rs5x

This one is a bit odd, it's a No. 2 which was converted into a No. 150; that was very common, the base was replaced with one which could take a dial, and the 'phone re-wired, the model number stamping on the transmitter mount was struck out, and the new number stamped in its place.  What is odd in this case is that the 'phone is not fitted with a dial, but with a blank.  Was it converted for automatic use, and then converted back again, or was it converted from No.2 to CB (dial-less) No.150?  This would seem pointless, but I suppose it would have allowed quick and easy conversion to auto operation at a later date if required.  Then of course it was converted again into the lamp.  Quite a history.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on July 22, 2009, 03:46:19 PM
If there's a saving grace, it would be that the alteration appears to be rather reversible.  Some of these have major damage done to them in order to make a lamp, but this one looks like it would be left with only one unobtrusive hole if the lamp parts were removed.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on July 22, 2009, 04:08:19 PM
Yeah thankfully this one could be reversed pretty easily.  What gets into people's heads?  "Hey I think I will take this cool antique phone and ruin it by making it into a kitchy lamp!!"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Stephen Furley on July 22, 2009, 04:19:40 PM
To be honest, if they hadn't converted it into a lamp the most likely thing they would have done with it would probably have been to throw it away.  By the '50s and '60s people wanted modern things they wouldn't have wanted an old 'phone, and certainly not one this old.  To make matters worse, it had no dial, which would have made it almost useless by that time.  On the other hand, it was nothing like old enough to have had any 'antique' value.  Somebody might have used it as a stage prop in a play, but that's about the only use that it might have had.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on July 22, 2009, 06:27:26 PM
Yeah that's true, there is a time period that things go through when they are seen as merely outdated and not collectable, and so are subject to being destroyed or modified as people see no real value yet in the objects.  (cars, homes, buildings, phones etc)

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HobieSport on August 05, 2009, 05:32:58 AM
Quote from: Brinybay
In cyberspace, no one can hear you scream!

NOOO!!!

...the hideous horrors to which Brinybay refers:

-sigh-
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 16, 2010, 02:03:04 PM
Why do people do this?  eBay 230435490321. Really nice AE 1A with a built in ringer savaged into a lamp......Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 16, 2010, 02:05:55 PM
That is a shame.  I wonder if someone will be  $99 on it??
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Craig T on February 16, 2010, 02:06:59 PM
The Lamp Phone...   The Modular Jack of Antique Phones  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 16, 2010, 02:10:38 PM
Dennis...take the pole out and it displays well from the front and these are toughies to find without cracks or breaks. What a shame. Aren't sacrificing Candlesticks and Imperials enough to appease the Lamp Gods!!!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 16, 2010, 02:24:21 PM
You're right Doug, it does look great from the front.  Put a dial card retainer ring and nice dial card and it would look nice on the shelf......after the lamp shift is removed.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on February 16, 2010, 02:39:30 PM
Why is it that when phones got old, they turned into lamps?   Why don't we turn all those computers that get thrown away every day into lamps?

Why didn't they turn adding machines or electric waffle irons into lamps?  It was only telephones.  Why not have a TV or radio lamp?  Or an electric iron lamp?  Only telephones.  Very strange.

-Bill
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 16, 2010, 02:56:24 PM
Maybe we should retaliate by starting a movement to convert old lamps into telephones ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 16, 2010, 03:23:53 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on February 16, 2010, 02:56:24 PM
Maybe we should retaliate by starting a movement to convert old lamps into telephones ;D

Larry....reminds me of a funny story. I have some old copper & brass fire extinguishers that I have made into lamps. You think shining up a brass candlestick is hard work! My friends Dad is a machinist and he drilled the holes for me. My friend's son asked him what Grampa was doing and then he asked his Dad, "is Doug going to make lamps into fire extinguishers next?" He was just a little guy then, but it still makes me smile.....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on February 16, 2010, 03:29:27 PM
You'd better not tell that story on a fire extinquisher collecting bulletin board!   ;D

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on February 16, 2010, 03:50:47 PM
I have a parking meter that was made into a lamp.  When a coin is inserted the light comes on....depending on how much money was put in when the flag pops up the light goes off.  Just like the electric company.....one doesn't pay, one gets no light!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on February 16, 2010, 04:00:20 PM
You might as well kiss it good bye. It is too far gone to try to rescue it.

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Craig T on February 16, 2010, 04:34:47 PM
Quote from: Dennis Markham on February 16, 2010, 03:50:47 PM
I have a parking meter that was made into a lamp.  When a coin is inserted the light comes on....depending on how much money was put in when the flag pops up the light goes off.  Just like the electric company.....one doesn't pay, one gets no light!

I love it, I would make that the only light in the room.... anyone got a quarter? :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on February 16, 2010, 06:38:49 PM
I've joked with a friend that his company, always downsizing and economizing, ought to put payphones on their desks to recoup costs.  They could also put meters in the parking lot, pay locks in the bathrooms on the stalls, and coin feeds on the thermostats and lights.   ;)

"Anyone got a quarter?  It's freezing in here!!"

It's pretty tragic that such a rare phone was ruined and turned into a lamp.  Wonder if anyone is ever going to make iPhones into lamps?  And how come we don't turn old computers, old TVs and old cars into lamps???
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on February 16, 2010, 11:56:31 PM
Hi,
     I don't know why it needed to be made into a lamp? If it had the correct handset it  would still be working. It's a AE - 32A14 Handset desk telephone with the wrong handset. The correct handset has the induction coil receiver in it, I just happen to have one in my greedy little hands, and they work great today.
     Oldphoneworks likes the one they have with no clapper on the ringer, 599.99
    Maybe it can be fixed by the right person. I'll let ya'll know when I get it home!!!!!!!!  I can finish 2 phones now instead of one!!!  
         Doug , shhhhhhh, your killing me there, made me a nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs , ha ,ha !   Later   stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 17, 2010, 09:46:05 AM
Quote from: stub1953 on February 16, 2010, 11:56:31 PM
Hi,
     I don't know why it needed to be made into a lamp? If it had the correct handset it  would still be working. It's a AE - 32A14 Handset desk telephone with the wrong handset. The correct handset has the induction coil receiver in it, I just happen to have one in my greedy little hands, and they work great today.
     Oldphoneworks likes the one they have with no clapper on the ringer, 599.99
    Maybe it can be fixed by the right person. I'll let ya'll know when I get it home!!!!!!!!  I can finish 2 phones now instead of one!!!  
         Doug , shhhhhhh, your killing me there, made me a nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs , ha ,ha !   Later   stub
Sorry Stub....were you the winner of this? Long Tall Cat is a great song by Loggins and Messina. Ya...I'm old....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on February 17, 2010, 10:39:41 AM
Doug, Yeah I got it . It's a hard phone to find , cheap that is! I 'll look at the base on  it and see what I can do with it. I have the correct handset for it !
            I did get them to remove the light shaft for shipping. All in all I thinkit will be nice when I get done!  I know the o l d part!!!!!!!!!!!  stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 17, 2010, 10:47:09 AM
Stub....it looks great from the front. If you have the proper handset and some parts, you can pull it off. $100 for this really was a steal, as you know, this is not an easy phone to find. You can turn around and sell the existing handset for $50 and really cut your cost. Pictures when you done.....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on February 17, 2010, 11:14:56 AM
Doug,
          This one phone will finish 2!!  stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 17, 2010, 12:03:31 PM
Stub...very cool....show us when you are finished....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on February 23, 2010, 10:13:15 AM
Hi everyone ,
                    And another phone has been pulled from the pits of the phone to lamp people!!!!!!  It was sad that this nice phone was violated like it was but now it has been converted back!! It shall serve out it's last days used as it was meant to be.   AE- 32A14                  stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dsk on February 23, 2010, 01:01:33 PM
This looks quite near a miracle, at least you have done something impossible. How did you repair that bakelite and get so perfect?

dsk
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 23, 2010, 01:09:39 PM
Stub....really nice job on this.  Nice that you had the correct parts, the handset is especially hard to find. My cradle is bakelite, but I can see yours is metal. Can't wait to see the other save from the lamp phone.  Impressive! ...Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on February 23, 2010, 07:47:16 PM
d_s_k - I had the spare parts to fix this phone. The base is a repair though.
            The crack is at the O  location  below dial finger wheel . You can still see the crack but it is better than the other one. I do plan to try my hand at repairing the base some time later.   stub

Doug - The other save was a Kellogg candlestick that I used back in the early 60"s at school as a science project. It belonged to my grt. aunt and grt. uncle made a lamp. I got all the parts in and fixed it and put the right subset on it and use in my phone rotation!  Oh, I had a plus on this phone , the handset, which was the wrong one, had the induction coil receiver in it !!!!! stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on February 23, 2010, 09:26:27 PM
Outstanding save!  No one would ever know it once was relegated to duty as a table lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on February 24, 2010, 04:34:31 AM
Apparently the phones-to-lamps conversions isn't something recent and go back a ways.  I just don't find them appealing at all.  May as well use beer cans instead.  Nice rescue.  (Now if you're like me, right now you're googling "beer can lamp"!)  Somewhere, a beer can collector is in angst:



Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Craig T on February 24, 2010, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: Brinybay on February 24, 2010, 04:34:31 AM
Who the hell started this lamp-phone fad anyway?  It's not even attractive decor, they're butt-ugly as a lamp, may as well use beer cans instead.  Nice rescue.  (Now if you're like me, right now you're googling "beer can lamp"!)



Living in Michigan, I would rather have the dime deposit on that can  :o  ;D


By the way, great save on that beautiful phone Stub!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AET on February 25, 2010, 01:01:01 AM
As y'all know, my dad and I are also major brewery collectors.  He had quite a few lamps 'back in the day' such as this.  Schmidt cans used to be quite valuable, particularly the wildlife scene cans, the value has dropped severely and the lamp components are probably worth more than the can now sadly.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 07, 2010, 05:57:43 PM
I have been keeping an eagle eye out for Kellogg 700s, 725s, or 925s.  I just love their classic art deco lines (not of the eBay "ART DECO" variety).  I was browsing around a local antique mall this afternoon, when I saw the item pictured below.  I am kind of new to this, so I didn't realize that the 700 series even came in Ivory.  At first, I thought it was a paint job, but if it was it was a darn good one.  I was tempted to buy it, since it was probably fairly rare -- but felt that it was ruined -- so I walked away feeling nauseous and angry at whoever drilled a big ugly hole in the thing.

Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures...I was in a hurry as the place was about to close.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on March 07, 2010, 05:59:50 PM
Does that say $30, or $300??
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 07, 2010, 06:02:36 PM
I think that may be a price tag from another item you are seeing.  The lamp was priced at $89.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 07, 2010, 06:14:55 PM
Quote from: savageje on March 07, 2010, 06:02:36 PM
I think that may be a price tag from another item you are seeing.  The lamp was priced at $89.



$89 is good, even with the damage. I would buy it and use it as a lamp (rewiring it as a safe lamp if needed).

Eventually I might try to restore it (or not).

You should be able to get a 10-20% discount just by asking. I would buy this.
JMO,
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 07, 2010, 06:49:45 PM
I have never seen one in Ivory, I'll have to go back to the Donner Books to see. This is a shame and to crack the handset when drilling....aaaaahhhhhh....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 07, 2010, 08:39:18 PM
I am still strongly tempted to go back and talk the guy down based on the damage.  Repairing damage like that is a little out of my league.  I would think it would be very hard to repair the hole/cracks and get the color to match.  I've seen some amazing bakelite repairs (i.e. Dennis's WE302 cradle ears), so I wouldn't say it is impossible.  Still pacing the floor over this one....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on March 07, 2010, 08:54:39 PM
If you can make certain it's white plastic, rather than black plastic painted white, I'd definitely try to get it, even with the problems.  Be aware that there will be interior damage/missing parts, too.  Still, a white one would be an incredible find.  I can't say for certain whether it's white plastic or not, but the cracking along the top does look like the same darkened cracks that happen to white plastic.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 08, 2010, 11:03:16 AM
Well, here's the latest update.  I decided to take a risk on it and buy it.  I probably need to have my head examined.  Since I am at work today, I sent my wife over to the antique mall to pick it up.  (I'll have to pay for that later.)  She was able to get another 10% off.  When I get home tonight, I'll try to take it apart and post some better pictures.  I'm going to need lots of help and advice on what to do with it.  My inclination is to go the restoration route.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 08, 2010, 11:22:56 AM
I would bet its solid Ivory by the way the handset cracked when drilling. Either bakelite or tenite. If it was paint it would of chipped. Good luck, hopefully it can be repaired.....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 08, 2010, 05:04:02 PM
Quote from: Kidphone on March 08, 2010, 11:22:56 AM
I would bet its solid Ivory by the way the handset cracked when drilling. Either bakelite or tenite. If it was paint it would of chipped. Good luck, hopefully it can be repaired.....Doug

I suspect the housing didn't get damaged. between that and the caps you are in the parts cheap.

I would use it as a lamp in my phone area. I dislike seeing phones made into lamps, but when I get them I use them (make sure that it is safe to use). I prefer a lampcord goining to a switched socket.

I have rewired a few where the AC went thru the switch-hook contacts, One was wired with the original telephone line cord.

I think you made a wise purchase.
JMO,
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 08, 2010, 08:26:42 PM
Well, the news is good and bad.  It is most definitely white plastic and is not painted.  It appears to be made totally of bakelite.  The base appears to be in great shape, but the handset appears to be glued to the base.   Predictably, the phone has been gutted of its components.  The only marking is "LE" -- inside the base.

The handset appears to be cracked all the way through.  If it had not been for the glue, the thing would most probably have broken in half.  The receiver and transmitter caps appear to be in great condition, but I have no way to get them off unless I separate the handset from the base.

I posted some more pictures below.  Restoring this phone would be a challenging (and scary) experience.  What is the consensus?  Leave well enough alone or give restoration a try?

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on March 08, 2010, 08:40:22 PM
Wow, wow, wow... I've NEVER seen one of these, nor have I even heard of their existence.  I guarantee the handset cracked down the middle because it was glued.  That light plastic tended to shrink, and with both ends of the handset locked in place, it had no choice but to separate in the middle. 

I'm not sure what I'd do with it.  It's so rare, I'd be inclined to leave it as it is, in order to prevent further possible damage.  On the other hand, I'd be awfully tempted to just "put it right" again.  Hard call.  Beautiful phone, though, and I think it's a bargain.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on March 08, 2010, 09:22:17 PM
The phone is a Kellogg 700A.  I have one in black.  Like other phones from the 1930s, this one had only a hook switch in the base and was connected to a subset.  You might be able to find a plunger and hook switch assembly for it.

Do you have any idea what kind of glue was used to hold the handset to the cradle?  It might be worth trying some sort of solvent to dissolve the glue.  Test some of it first on the inside of the shell to see if it will damage the bakelite.  I would strongly advise against trying to pry the handset off of the cradle because it might easily take part of the cradle with it.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on March 08, 2010, 09:31:54 PM
You could try a heat gun in very low setting, or a hair dryer to see if that softens the glue.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on March 08, 2010, 09:34:44 PM
Just for fun, you might want to soak the phone in warm water first.  The person who mutilated the phone may have used water-soluble glue.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on March 09, 2010, 12:12:07 AM
Savageje:

My vote is to restore.  You just don't see those around!

The Kellogg receiver probably had the two metal conductors molded into the handle to go from the contacts in the transmitter cavity up to the receiver cavity.  If drilling through the handle did not drill through them, those conductors may be the only thing holding the handset together.

What a shame that is.  Maybe Kellogg Mike would have a lead on an ivory plastic handset.  Also check with Vern Potter and Steve Hilsz.  Try broadcasting a "Want to Buy" post on the TCI listserver.

If you wind up with no luck in those places, you could always get a run-of-the-mill bakelite handset and find a good matching color of Ivory to paint.

The hookswitch should be a lot easier to come by, and Oldphoneworks has new ivory fabric cords.

-Bill Geurts
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 10, 2010, 09:02:49 AM
If this Ivory 700 set was mine, once I removed the handset, I would replace the handset with a Kellogg brown bakelite handset and use the ivory caps on it. I think the ivory and the brown combination would look sharp,  especially with the brown base cover. The odds of finding a Kellogg ivory handset are long. The handset might be able to repaired by a professional, but would probably cost more than your lamp itself. just a thought. Ivory cradle over the brown handset with the ivory caps would look outstanding...Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 12, 2010, 04:08:07 AM
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and suggestions.  I've also been asking a few other folks, just taking my time with this one and avoiding the temptation to fiddle around at the risk of doing any further damage.  The consensus seems to be that this is a special phone worth spending some time and money on.  Steve Hilsz suggested that the phone is probably made of catalin, and put me on the trail of a catalin repair expert.  I have contacted that person with pictures of the phone -- asking for some guidance on the cost and time involved.  Some of the work that these guys do to repair damage to catalin on radios is amazing -- not to mention "way out of my league."  So, we'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: McHeath on March 13, 2010, 01:46:20 AM
This is a great phone, and a truly sad mess.  I would try to repair the damage and restore the phone to functional condition.  Whoever did this probably had no idea just how rare that phone is in white. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on March 14, 2010, 10:17:05 PM
I've contacted someone named Paul Pontrello, who referred me to a Dan Blake.  Both of these guys are supposed to be some of the best at vintage plastic repair.  Their work looks pretty impressive.  It looks like the majority of their work has been done on radios.  The first said he was unable to help and referred me to the second (Blake).  Blake is an artist who is closing down his studio to travel the country for three years.  He suggested some ways to test to specifically identify the type of plastic it is made of, and said to contact him in three years (!!!) if I was still interested in the repair.  So I guess I'm back to square one.  

Someone named Bret Menassa put out a DYI vintage plastics repair DVD for radios a few years back, so I may get a copy of that and see if it helps at all.  It looks like most of the techniques used involve airbrushing or painting to achieve a close match between the patched area and the original part of the plastic.  

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 05:28:49 PM
I found my first stick telephone in the 1970s in a cluttered antique shop I frequented in downtown Newark,  New Jersey.  Sad to say it had been converted into a lamp.  The price was dear back then, $50.  I had doubled parked, and was able to bargain from $75.  I haven't done my homework, but it's brass.  I found a lamp store that still had braided cable, and removed the lamp parts from the top.
On the other hand, I did much better, years earlier with another lamp conversion, this one a "Conestoga" wagon hub.  Ah but that's another story, and has no place here.

Why do people do this? A travesty, indeed!  >:(

Walt S
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 15, 2010, 05:44:23 PM
Hey Walt....What is a "Conestoga" wagon hub candlestick. I'd love to see a picture....thanks....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HELLO CENTRAL on March 15, 2010, 06:45:44 PM
It is a lamp whose base is made from the large hub of a wagon wheel.  Mine is much more original than this example.   Forty years ago I fell in love with it the minute I saw it in an antique store. 
http://www.awagonwheel.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=96772

Walt
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: jiggerman on March 15, 2010, 07:09:41 PM
Quote from: savageje on March 14, 2010, 10:17:05 PM
I've contacted someone named Paul Pontrello, who referred me to a Dan Blake.  Both of these guys are supposed to be some of the best at vintage plastic repair.  Their work looks pretty impressive.  It looks like the majority of their work has been done on radios.  The first said he was unable to help and referred me to the second (Blake).  Blake is an artist who is closing down his studio to travel the country for three years.  He suggested some ways to test to specifically identify the type of plastic it is made of, and said to contact him in three years (!!!) if I was still interested in the repair.  So I guess I'm back to square one. 

Someone named Bret Menassa put out a DYI vintage plastics repair DVD for radios a few years back, so I may get a copy of that and see if it helps at all.  It looks like most of the techniques used involve airbrushing or painting to achieve a close match between the patched area and the original part of the plastic. 

Jim

Hi Jim,

I purchased the video a couple of years ago from Bret's  Old Radios on Plastic Bakelite Repair and Refinishing.  This DVD is very informative and it also applies to phones. You`ll learn great ways to clean and polish all kinds of plastic, Bakelite, Catalin, Plaskon and modern plastic. He also shows how to repair cracks, chips and missing pieces. I also collect old radio so I purchased the 4 volume set. He presently selling a few DVD`s on ebay this week. Here is the URL if you are interested. http://tinyurl.com/yh626h2

The video is 2 hours long. You won't be disappointed.  Jiggerman
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 17, 2010, 02:52:22 PM
Enough said.....
D/P

http://tinyurl.com/2fts74j
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: gpo706 on May 17, 2010, 03:26:06 PM
THE HORROR, THE HORROR!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 17, 2010, 03:30:17 PM
This would make a great auction contest. He's not stopping the auction, and posted he was offered $2000.00 for it BIN.
D/P

My guess $3,000.00
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on May 17, 2010, 03:37:32 PM
Does the price include the light bulb?  :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on May 17, 2010, 03:40:06 PM
Just when I thought I'd seen everything.  A new way to make a lamp out of a phone.  What were they thinking?

I guess they weren't.

Did I just answer myself?

I guess I did.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on May 17, 2010, 03:42:14 PM
You guys don't get it: this is a very early production mushroom phone.

;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on May 17, 2010, 03:44:06 PM
Yes.  Made by someone who had eaten too many mushrooms.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 17, 2010, 03:47:05 PM
Larry;

Are you kidding, with CFL's, and LED's, incandescents are getting rare.

D/P
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: gpo706 on May 17, 2010, 03:49:10 PM
I'm gonna make a nice lamp out of a Strowger exchange, yours for 50 big ones.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on May 17, 2010, 03:52:30 PM
(Sigh). 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JorgeAmely on May 17, 2010, 03:55:23 PM
The manufacturer is partly to blame. They stamped the phone with patent dates from 1994 through 1997. What is a creative mind to do with a practically brand new phone after smoking a few mushrooms?

;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on May 17, 2010, 04:09:36 PM
The lamp damage must be reversable enough and the phone valuable enough for someone to bid 1k on it, so I guess it's not a total loss.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 17, 2010, 04:45:34 PM
I sold a non lamp style for $1250 in 1994.
They are called a McKinley. This is the short style, there was a long style as well.

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AET on May 18, 2010, 02:19:47 AM
I saw this earlier, why do people turn good phones into lamps?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on May 18, 2010, 02:48:49 AM
Quote from: AtomicEraTom on May 18, 2010, 02:19:47 AM
I saw this earlier, why do people turn good phones into lamps?

I know it seems rediculous to deface a nice phone by making it into a lamp. However, if most of these phone lamps hadn't been turned into lamps, they would be long gone now.

Turning it into something usefull at the time (since it was no longer usefull as a phone) is why it is still around now to potentially be restored. Had it been recycled for the metal, it would probably be parked in one of our garages right now with Hyundai or Kia badges on it.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bwanna on May 18, 2010, 08:11:01 AM
we all gasp in horror  :o, but terry is probably right. if this phone hadn't been turned into something "useful" it would have been in a scrap heap long ago. a gal was describing to me a 3 slot payphone that her husband had. the best thing about it she said, was that he had turned it into a lamp! ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AET on May 18, 2010, 01:59:07 PM
Not mine! I only buy American :)

Quote from: ae_collector on May 18, 2010, 02:48:49 AM


it would probably be parked in one of our garages right now with Hyundai or Kia badges on it.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Bill Cahill on May 18, 2010, 09:22:25 PM
 :o It also seems to be missing parts. Bells are there, but, where is the solonoid?
Where are the other wires connecting things? What else is missing?
The mouth piece is also broken....  :(
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2010, 09:43:43 PM
I think a collector bought this phone/lamp and probably can get the parts to compleate it (into a phone).
All things considered, I think they got a nice price.

I have always liked the style of the short McKinley. It is a hard phone to buy anymore.

JMO,
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on May 19, 2010, 10:52:31 AM
Seller said he was offered 2K for it, but decided to let the auction ruin. I'd guess he is kicking himself right now.....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on October 01, 2010, 08:51:22 AM
Just found this on CraigsList and had to share it ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on October 01, 2010, 09:31:16 AM
Actually, I've always wanted one of those meter lamps. I think they're kinda awesome. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on October 01, 2010, 10:18:37 AM
Quote from: bingster on October 01, 2010, 09:31:16 AM
Actually, I've always wanted one of those meter lamps. I think they're kinda awesome.  
I have one and it is superb!....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: KeithB on October 01, 2010, 11:11:34 AM
I worked with electrical cooperatives around the nation throughout the 1980s and saw more of those lamps made from old meters than you'd ever believe.  After so many swapouts and refurbs, even the oldest meters get retired, and that's what happens to the lucky ones.  ;)  (The rest are scrapped.)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on October 01, 2010, 11:32:15 AM
Well, I guess, as has been said here before, better a lamp than a landfill ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul-f on October 01, 2010, 01:03:45 PM
Another lamp maker favorite is fire extinguishers.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 01, 2010, 04:44:50 PM
I have a Junior Achiechment electric meter lamp.
The guy that I got my step switch lamp from, got the idea for it from the JA meter lamps.

Jim
BTW I did pick up a AE 40 lamp yesterday.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 01, 2010, 09:26:58 PM
Quote from: Jim S. on October 01, 2010, 04:44:50 PM
I have a Junior Achiechment electric meter lamp.
The guy that I got my step switch lamp from, got the idea for it from the JA meter lamps.

Jim
BTW I did pick up a AE 40 lamp yesterday.



We're going to need a picture of the Strowger Switch Lamp....

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on October 01, 2010, 09:35:44 PM
I'm not sure I can go along with the fire extinguisher lamps.  At least the electric meters can be converted without doing any irreversible damage.  But I guess it's like Harry says... Better than in a landfill.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on October 02, 2010, 05:47:44 AM
Somewhere there are vintage electric meter collectors having a fit!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 02, 2010, 08:23:31 PM
Quote from: ae_collector on October 01, 2010, 09:26:58 PM
We're going to need a picture of the Strowger Switch Lamp....

Terry

I will try to get one posted soon. Did I mention it is clear and works?
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 03, 2010, 02:29:44 AM
Quote from: Jim S. on October 02, 2010, 08:23:31 PM
I will try to get one posted soon. Did I mention it is clear and works?
Jim

A clear cover and the switch is unharmed so that it would likely still work? Or is there a power supply connected and a means to have the switch step up and in? If so, it needs to have a Phone lamp connected to the Strowger lamp for demo purposes!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 03, 2010, 10:43:37 AM
The cover is glass with the various Bell emblems etched on them.  When it is working right, you push the button and it steps up all the way. It then starts swiping over. Each side step increases the light intensity 10%. You can push the button to stop the light on the leval you want.

It currently has a loose connection on the power supply. To fix it I need to remove some glass, One of the panels had been removed and symbolically broken (retiree died before retirement).
Eventually I will replace the glass, dust and tighten the inside and rig A John Infurna Lampshade on it.,

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 03, 2010, 01:39:31 PM
I got it from a retired WE executive. (His final project was the 1984 Olympic games phone system).

He got himself on the retirement committee to design retirement gifts for outgoing executives. They bulked out the project with many frivilous details, most of which were cut for budget reasons (which was why they were included anyway).

He said it took 100's of man hours to design. they selected switch dates to try to match hire dates.

JKL has a retirement switch lamp as well. Their's isn't etched. I think it is newer and was probably made from the design of mine.
Jim
BTW I got the lamp as part of the $8,000 collection I bought in the early 1990's. I also got a 3' brass bell emblem and Western Electric in Brass. When they were removing it from the LA office he told them to be careful with because he was keeping it (the perks of rank).
It is currently mounted on the side of the JKL Museum.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 03, 2010, 01:49:14 PM
Very interesting...thanks Jim. Post a picture wen you can.

What is the LZA office?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 03, 2010, 01:55:36 PM
The LA office I threw in the Z to see if anyone was paying attention. ::)

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 03, 2010, 01:57:39 PM
Quote from: Jim S. on October 03, 2010, 01:55:36 PM
The LA office I threw in the Z to see if anyone was paying attention. ::)

Jim

I'm the only one I guess! Now back to packing. Getting on the Island Princess here in Vancouver tomorrow and 17 days later will arrive in Ft Lauderdale.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 03, 2010, 02:08:43 PM
Sounds like fun. I need to dig out some phones and cloth (maybe take a couple of photos as well) and then back to work tommorrow.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on October 11, 2010, 08:18:25 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-old-Dial-Telephone-F1-Hand-Set-LAMP-/230537189917 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-old-Dial-Telephone-F1-Hand-Set-LAMP-/230537189917)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: deedubya3800 on October 11, 2010, 08:22:55 PM
That is one pain-in-the-butt telephone. :-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on October 11, 2010, 08:24:00 PM
Ouch, indeed!  I've never seen anybody go that route before.  Usually it's the old "through the plunger hole" method.  He's gonna need a lot of luck to get $50 for that monstrosity.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bwanna on October 11, 2010, 08:51:36 PM
o! the horror :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 11, 2010, 09:06:50 PM
I think that dial may be from a Charector phone (Mickey, Snoopy, Kermit, Pooh).

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on January 26, 2011, 08:00:43 PM
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TUDCeGyAokI/AAAAAAAATiE/4crkuzqt8_A/s800/heartear4_028.JPG)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TUDC7oIsTEI/AAAAAAAATic/mBzAyyEGZA8/s576/heartear4_029.JPG)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TUDCqsgE90I/AAAAAAAATiU/mJzUtm9Y62k/s800/heartear4_031.JPG)


I was able to talk a seller out of her "optimistic" asking price and got this for $45 with shipping.  I am a sucker for nice nickel plate, especially when it is covering a knurled nut and  two piece transmitter cup.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 26, 2011, 08:08:13 PM
That looks like a great way to start a fire. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phoniac on January 26, 2011, 08:14:21 PM
Sarge, That is one of the worst! It really tears me up to see what some will do to a once great phone. Specially when they do it to a pair of candle sticks, just want to smack'em in the back of the head with a 2X4.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on January 26, 2011, 09:21:15 PM
It's pretty easily fixed, actually.  I have a couple of 293A subset boxes that have been languishing.  I will swap the backboard and door from this phone onto one of those, and drill a few holes for the hook using the panel as a jig.  Finding the guts is going to be the hard part.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phoniac on January 27, 2011, 07:29:44 AM
Quote from: Sargeguy on January 26, 2011, 09:21:15 PM
It's pretty easily fixed, actually.  I have a couple of 293A subset boxes that have been languishing.  I will swap the backboard and door from this phone onto one of those, and drill a few holes for the hook using the panel as a jig.  Finding the guts is going to be the hard part.

Sarge, What peeves me the most is, that it'll never be original as manufactured anymore. As with a lot of vintage and antique items out there nowadays it's getting harder and harder to find something untouched that some nitwit hasn't had his busy little fingers in.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on January 27, 2011, 10:27:13 AM
Quote from: Sargeguy on January 26, 2011, 09:21:15 PM
It's pretty easily fixed, actually.  I have a couple of 293A subset boxes that have been languishing.  I will swap the backboard and door from this phone onto one of those, and drill a few holes for the hook using the panel as a jig.  Finding the guts is going to be the hard part.
Sarge....I agree...it is still a really great looking phone that you can bring back to its past glory. What was this person thinking? A new way to burn down his house!....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on January 27, 2011, 11:25:29 AM
This has Boy Scouts written all over it.  I can see how someone really wanted to make a lamp conversion but didn't have a candlestick or imperial on hand.  I just wish they had cut through the bottom and not the sides to preserve some of the dovetailing.  These phones always require some degree of scrounging for parts, so the switching out of boxes doesn't bother me too much.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 27, 2011, 11:27:46 AM
QuoteThis has Boy Scouts written all over it.

That makes sense.  One of the things that boy scouts have to learn is how to build a fire :D

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 12, 2011, 06:06:31 PM
These are photos of a candlestick lamp conversion that I have been offered, $75 shipped:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcOe0azqSI/AAAAAAAATz8/feNCJiwQUdQ/s576/il_fullxfull.212745149.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcOi_fInlI/AAAAAAAAT0E/Ko1L1Xsc6q8/s800/il_fullxfull.212745357.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcOaqXO3RI/AAAAAAAATz0/RtlPYxIOFLM/s912/il_fullxfull.212745552.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcOVJXHLaI/AAAAAAAATzs/hB52_M6IWf4/s800/il_fullxfull.212745757.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcOSrxKfPI/AAAAAAAATzk/9n9_2CwTCR4/s576/il_fullxfull.212745874.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_26I3Nyjgm7Q/TVcSMBs_xnI/AAAAAAAAT0g/MQhWXKaGfvc/s576/perch%20photo.jpg)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on February 12, 2011, 06:27:55 PM
Can't tell from the picture, but it looks like a friendly conversion with the attachment in the transmitter mount. I'd ask for a close up of that connection, otherwise looks like a nice stick....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Wallphone on February 12, 2011, 08:16:42 PM
So which one is it, your new lamp phone or one that somebody offered for $75?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 12, 2011, 08:19:37 PM
When someone offers me a 51AL for $75 shipped it becomes my new lamp by default. 
;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 16, 2011, 08:28:24 PM
The phone just arrived.  It is complete except for the wiring harness and the transmitter guts.  As luck would have it I have a microphone made from a 323 that has a face with the 323 struck out.  The big problem id the base.  The dial blank is soldered onto the base.  I am trying to figure out the best way to remove it. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on February 16, 2011, 08:40:20 PM
If it is just solder you should be able to heat it up enough with a propane torch to soften the solder and seperate it. If it is welded that will be another story.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 16, 2011, 08:49:23 PM
Thanks, Luckily my wife makes jewelry as her second job, so I just borrowed the mini torch and a ball peen hammer and presto!  

Next issue: transmitter cup has slots instead of holes for the transmitter mounting screws.  I was led to believe that this was done on microphones and railroad phones and was not featured on genuine telephones.  Is that true?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 16, 2011, 08:56:14 PM
Brass faceplate on the transmitter turns out to be nickel covered in gold spray-paint.  

Here's a tip-make that brassed-out candlestick lamp live again with a coat of gold spray-paint!!!

Update-actually it's a nickel faceplate that was painted black, brassed out then painted gold.

The receiver cap is glued on working on that next
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on July 15, 2011, 07:45:06 AM
Anyone ever seen one of these before? From the WE box behind it, this looks like WE made a Pink 500 phone lamp. I have seen the Mickey and Snoopy phones with lamps. Love the handset cord that is wrapped around the light pole. This is really different....Doug


http://tinyurl.com/6dvftdu  ( dead link 03-21-21 )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: jsowers on July 15, 2011, 11:50:20 AM
Yes, this seller has the same WE box behind lots of his refurbished items, so it's not the original box. Look at this auction...

http://cgi.ebay.com/160613247136 (http://cgi.ebay.com/160613247136)

The above Frankenphone isn't even a WE phone, but it has a Bell System number card and painted plastics. I think there are lots of monsters coming from the good Doctor's la-BOR-atory.

I also have to wonder how well the ringer in that pink lamp phone works with that AC cord sitting between the bells. The coil cord up the lamp post is a good idea to make it match better, but I think this one is strictly made up from parts.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dennis Markham on July 15, 2011, 01:38:00 PM
Good detective work, Jonathan!  The old put-it-next-to-a-Western Electric-box trick.  :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on July 15, 2011, 01:48:46 PM
Quote from: Dennis Markham on July 15, 2011, 01:38:00 PM
Good detective work, Jonathan!  The old put-it-next-to-a-Western Electric-box trick.  :)
Fooled me....I thought it was the real deal. Not that it is that hard to fool me ;D....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on August 30, 2011, 04:10:36 PM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MfdWPDO_mh4/Tl1CDRYYByI/AAAAAAAAWQs/y6jCJD9Xa3s/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1232%25252020110830_719DSC_1232.JPG) (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AO117p67IXE/Tl1CAe1hK5I/AAAAAAAAWQg/jG2nXUkT0hE/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1236%25252020110830_723DSC_1236.JPG)

Early 20B with "Hershey's Kiss" perch and knurled thumbscrew

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0S5t-XANHeI/Tl1CCm3tW9I/AAAAAAAAWQo/TSmE8Yb4TRk/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1233%25252020110830_720DSC_1233.JPG)

Screw shaft

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yOtRvpcv5ng/Tl1CBCRxXoI/AAAAAAAAWQk/z3jeJtbAW1c/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1234%25252020110830_721DSC_1234.JPG) (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Q8ue_G9enY/Tl1B3fMgkHI/AAAAAAAAWQQ/1-Qh6tngOG0/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1242%25252020110830_729DSC_1242.JPG)

Wooden Base

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9DP4H-dNfsA/Tl1B1hxONII/AAAAAAAAWQM/UinVMETlakQ/s512/Swan%252520PointDSC_1241%25252020110830_728DSC_1241.JPG)

Cast Iron stem bolt
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on August 30, 2011, 04:13:30 PM
The lamp conversion was done is such a way as the phone was unharmed.  The receiver is a Chicago that is broken.  I am having difficulty removing the perch from the shaft.  I unscrewed the screw but it will not budge.  DO I need to unscrew the the stem bolt?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on August 30, 2011, 04:17:58 PM
Is that a #22 candlestick?  Good catch!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on August 30, 2011, 04:34:24 PM
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n-wXohdB4hQ/Tl1L6fmlDLI/AAAAAAAAWQ8/xslts6rNV38/s576/Swan%252520PointDSC_1243%25252020110830_734DSC_1243.JPG)

It's an early 20-B with the patent dates.  It has not been converted from a 22.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on August 30, 2011, 05:57:52 PM
The stem looks like a #22 - I think you have to remove that screw in the side of the shaft to lift the perch off.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on August 30, 2011, 06:13:11 PM
Early 20-Bs had the same style perch.  I tried the screw but it won't budge.  I hope it wasn't "re-engineered" when it was made into a lamp.

UPDATEA few taps with the hammer on the bottom bracket did the trick.  The culprit: excessive use of electrical tape.  Still this was a very "low-impact" conversion with no damage except the missing wiring.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-82K-65W93wU/Tl1papzFdKI/AAAAAAAAWRA/fj5CGvhYtQ8/s800/Swan%252520PointDSC_1251%25252020110830_738DSC_1251.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M0qnJxJ_nhQ/Tl1plcpra-I/AAAAAAAAWRE/7ODtZKzpK2c/s800/Swan%252520PointDSC_1250%25252020110830_737DSC_1250.JPG)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on September 30, 2011, 10:40:10 AM
http://tinyurl.com/663r64j ( dead link 03-21-21 )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on September 30, 2011, 04:03:09 PM
They must be getting some responses from upset phone collectors (I don't want to call it "hate mail").  

QuoteCLASSIC ROTARY PHONE LOVERS, this is what we were thinking: This phone was in sad and non-working order when we got it.  We specialize in upcycling discarded items into something new and hopefully useful.  We've left all the parts inside. No phone was seriously hurt in the making of this lamp.

We took this vintage rotary dial phone and gave it a new life.  There are battle scars inherent to both is age and unknown background.  I have attempted to provide close ups so you know what you are buying.

A new cord and in-line rotary switch controls the frosted C7 bulbs in the handset. The black spiral cord is original to the phone and hides a new gooseneck lamp pipe which keeps the handset suspended above the phone. The rotary dial works nicely.

Bulbs included.

Well, maybe it can still be saved.  What make/model of phone is it, anyway?  The cradle and switch hook plunger look similar to my Stromberg-Carlson 1216, so I'm going to guess that it's a single-line version of my S/C.  I sounds like at the most, it just needs a handset now.  Unless it's super rare, I'll pass on the $89 price tag.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on September 30, 2011, 08:31:10 PM
Stromberg Carlson 1212.If not too hacked, not a bad price.Handset caps can be easily replaced. I would be afraid to put 120v through an old coiled handset cord.
Robby
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on September 30, 2011, 10:30:18 PM
Since they went to the trouble to put a small conduit inside the coil cord to hold the handset as pictured I would assume a proper lamp cord is inside to supply the bulbs.

Presumably the phone is painted not solid colored or it would truly be a tragedy.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: GG on October 01, 2011, 12:41:09 AM


Yes, it's painted: look at the chipped paint around the cradle.

I saw a Kellogg 1000 painted light blue that had been similarly tortured.  That a few weeks ago.

What we need to do is basically let these sellers know that they'll earn more for their troubles and cause less trouble for their earnings, if they just leave the phones as-is and post them accordingly. 

Someone from around here will inevitably swoop in and rescue those troubled sets before something terrible happens. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on October 01, 2011, 05:18:09 AM
I contacted the seller and found out that I was the first phone collector to contact him.  Here's the conversation.  The picture being referred to was a before/after of my SC 1216 that I attached to my email to him:


QuoteI take it you've received numerous emails from antique phone collectors. I don't want to add to that, but should you come across another "sad and non-working" phone like this, please keep in mind a similar one that I refurbished. A picture is attached. I think yours is the single-line version of mine, although I'm not sure.


QuoteHello,
No emails but yours at this point, but I did find the link to my creation on ClassicRotary... I expect that there will be phone people pecking away for the next who knows how long. lol I put the note on the listing to head them off.

You did a fine job on the resto. Wow! Is the phone in use or just a working historical artifact?

I find phones all the time in my searches of junk shops, thrift stores, garage sales, etc. I rarely research them. When I amend them for lights, I try to leave as much of it untouched as possible. This particular phone could be "brought back to life" by the right person.

Just today I found another phone. 1937. Oak box with generator that rings two bells. There is a desk phone (black) that is attached by a cord and there are two smaller wires coming from the box that look like they are electrical. I have it in my studio, not certain what will be done with it down the road. Any expert thoughts on it? Would it be sacrilege to alter it? :)

Thanks for the kind email.
Rodger

QuoteHi Rodger

I don't want to use the word "sacrilege", but it's a bad idea to alter any antique phone into something it wasn't meant to be. The phone you turned into a lamp, even though you preserved as much as possible, could have fetched you two or three times as much with a little effort to clean it up, e.g. the phone appears to have been painted by a previous owner. Removing the paint and repainting it the original color would have made it a very collectible piece, even if you couldn't vouch for it's functionality. Heck, even as is (or was), it was a very collectible piece.

These phones were made to last. I found a 70yo phone at a yard sale and even though it was rusted and corroded inside, when I hooked it up I got a dial tone and was able to dial out and receive calls, it fully functioned, I just cleaned it up. Here's a link to my thread on it: www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3039.0

Chances are your phone could easily be made to function also. I've been collecting phones for almost 3 years. I have no knowledge of electronics, but the vast majority of the non-functioning vintage phones I find can be made to function using just a screwdriver and moving a wire or two.

As for the phone in the picture I sent you, right now it's non-functioning, but only because I need help in interpreting the schematics in order to make it function as a single-line phone. Yours was made by the same manufacturer, Stromberg-Carlson.

Before you alter any more phones, I would like to invite you to use Classic Rotary Phone Forum as a source for researching the phones you find. It's a very friendly group and I've gained a lot of knowledge from it, I'm sure you will too.

Greg
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: GG on October 02, 2011, 03:05:48 AM


Wow, that's major progress.  Ten points, dude, you did well.

OK, so now we need to anticipate a possible influx of new folks who we can help cure of the desire to turn phones into lamps (or lumps, per the strangely-entombed 564 elsewhere).  But I think the usual good manners and helpfulness around here will go a long way. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rtp129495 on October 18, 2011, 08:24:52 AM
http://tinyurl.com/3lamqgd


YUCK!!! but the interesting part is the phone and lamp both work, unusual..... usually its just the lamp that works!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: GG on October 18, 2011, 12:20:43 PM


Someone here has reported successful results by patiently explaining to a seller, that their old phone will probably get them a better price if they just clean it up and sell it as-is rather than lobotomizing it into a lamp. 

So taking the gentle approach first, is recommended.  But for recalcitrant lamp makers, a stronger approach may be helpful. 

BTW, a phone/lamp that works as both, is probably an electrical hazard since it has both low-voltage telephone wiring and high-voltage AC mains wiring in the same device.  And in general, one way to discourage lamp conversions is to point to the fact that they are probably not safe, and are a potential liability risk to the seller. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ESS on November 20, 2011, 08:47:55 AM
This is my first post...

A long time ago, I converted this phone.... to a usable Lamp.
Just wondering your opinions if this is sacrilege? Based on this forum. I have another one still original, and an old desk phone (no dial)
Was wondering can anyone tell me what phone I converted...age, type etc?

If I blew it...you can tell me like it is...
Thanks!
Ed
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 20, 2011, 09:53:21 AM
Show a picture of how you connected the bulb on the back. If it is revereable it is not sacrilege, just a momentary lapse of reasoning. If you drilled the metal........Welcome to the Forum...Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on November 20, 2011, 10:08:49 AM
Quote from: Doug Rose on November 20, 2011, 09:53:21 AM
Show a picture of how you connected the bulb on the back. If it is reverseable it is not sacrilege, just a momentary lapse of reasoning. If you drilled the metal........Welcome to the Forum...Doug
My, Doug... You didn't tell us you were a diplomat  :) Well put.

Honestly, though, during the 50s to 70s, many a valuable phone was destroyed by conversion to lamps, and that is why converting will make collectors shudder.

However as Doug says if it is done without destroying the integrity of the phone via brackets held by existing bolts, and the phone can be reverted eventually to its original state, it is ok, I guess ;D  

Some past conversions used the switch of the candlestick  to switch the 120 volts - not a good idea. If it doesn't destroy the switch as it isn't designed for that voltage and current, it is at very least a serious shock hazard. Better to use an properly insulated and voltage rated external in-line switch and keep the cord free from the phone itself. An option would be to use a socket with a built-in switch. This would be my greatest concern.

Just make sure it doesn't destroy a rare telephone. One has to think that the phone might not always be in your family, so a thoughtful conversion if necessary is your best bet.

Don't get frustrated! It does look nice.

Dave
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on November 20, 2011, 10:44:36 AM
Ed,

We have all done things in the past which we would prefer to have not done.

The phone looks mostly like an Automatic Electric AE21 (http://www.telephonearchive.com/phones/ae/ae21_stick.html (http://www.telephonearchive.com/phones/ae/ae21_stick.html)), but I am not sure about the transmitter.  It may have been replaced.  Pictures of other sides might be helpful for identification.

Those phones are generally worth much more as phones than lamps.  As Doug said, if the conversion can be reversed, it is worthwhile doing so.

I am sure that we would all like to see pictures of your other phones.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul-f on November 20, 2011, 12:18:50 PM
Welcome, Ed.

Your conversion appears to be more tastefully done than many we've seen...
   http://www.paul-f.com/Lamps.html

More detailed photos of the back, bottom and receiver parts may be needed to tell exactly what you've got.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ESS on November 20, 2011, 12:56:04 PM
Thank you all for your comments and input!

As for messing up... sounds like we did. A hole was drilled in the top to insert the metal pole for the lamp portion. Inside where the receiver hangs from we installed an insulated pressure switch, so when you pick up the receiver the light goes on, hang up the phone and the light goes off.
To return to original state would only require removing the electrical wires, but would need to replace the curved piece at the top of the phone.

I will try and get pictures of the other phones, one looks similar to this one, but at the mouthpiece end it is sliver in color with "Kellogg" stamped on the face at the top, and at the bottom is stamped:  818577L, no markings on the bottom, just one screw.
The other is a desk model, I will have to dig out of box it's in.
Thanks again for the input!

Ed
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 20, 2011, 01:20:18 PM
Paul,

Here's another for your photo collection. Not well done and asking $69.95.

http://tinyurl.com/6vrxm9y

Lamp stem looks too high/long and the shade is too small. Base was drilled.

I don't see a power cord.

Not much lost here since it states it is a painted painted blue modular 500.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Bill on November 20, 2011, 01:41:53 PM
ESS -

Oh good Lord. I would take a stab at restoring it. If you decide you want to sell it, let me know. You can even keep the shade!

Bill
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jester on November 20, 2011, 03:34:37 PM
This one showed up a few listings after the aqua phone in teleplay's post.  It seems impractical as a lamp, & that handset isn't all that common.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 20, 2011, 05:46:51 PM
Quote from: ESS on November 20, 2011, 12:56:04 PM
Thank you all for your comments and input!

As for messing up... sounds like we did. A hole was drilled in the top to insert the metal pole for the lamp portion. Inside where the receiver hangs from we installed an insulated pressure switch, so when you pick up the receiver the light goes on, hang up the phone and the light goes off.
To return to original state would only require removing the electrical wires, but would need to replace the curved piece at the top of the phone.

I will try and get pictures of the other phones, one looks similar to this one, but at the mouthpiece end it is sliver in color with "Kellogg" stamped on the face at the top, and at the bottom is stamped:  818577L, no markings on the bottom, just one screw.
The other is a desk model, I will have to dig out of box it's in.
Thanks again for the input!

Ed
Ed...if the metal has been drilled, sad to say, it should remain a lamp...good luck....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on November 20, 2011, 05:52:22 PM
QuoteEd...if the metal has been drilled, sad to say, it should remain a lamp...good luck....Doug

It shouldn't be difficult to find a replacement transmitter cup (without a hole).  I am in favor of "de-lamping" it.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Wallphone on November 20, 2011, 06:45:19 PM
ESS, Someone said you had to find a new transmitter cup and you said you need to replace the curved piece. Can you post a pic of where it is really drilled at? I had an AE21 where the hole was drilled in the goose neck that the trans cup attaches too. I inserted a pipe plug in the threaded hole down past the top of the hole and then in about three different applications I filled the rest of the void with JB Weld. Then after some sanding, priming and painting it turn out nice. Welcome to the Forum & Good Luck.
Doug Pav
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on November 20, 2011, 08:22:57 PM
I always remind everyone that in most cases when you find a phone converted to a lamp, had it not been converted to a lamp you would not be finding the phone now. It was the conversion to a lamp that kept it from being recycled or otherwise destroyed. It is too bad when it is a very rare phone that is partially destroyed but in the case of an AE 21, they are plentiful and cheap so buy another one that hasn't been converted and then you will have both a phone AND a lamp!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on December 05, 2011, 12:47:54 PM
Very cool stick, but was it "upgraded" to a lamp to increase its value ;D....Doug


http://tinyurl.com/cdws8e5
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on December 05, 2011, 01:11:03 PM
Terrible thing to do to a beautiful phone like that.  Maybe the bracket was put on between the cup and the neck so it can be removed.  Then all you would have to do is fill the hole in the cup.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 05, 2011, 01:55:25 PM
The shaft makes it look as though it were one of those pole lamps that some unthinking claude converted into a Phone!

It does appear as though it is a piece inserted that can be removed again.

Terry

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 10, 2011, 03:24:09 AM
Does this qualify? I also have another that can't be posted here as it was made from an adult toy.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: GG on December 10, 2011, 04:15:18 AM


I know where there's a YouTube video of something that combines both an adult toy and a propeller.  The object in question was used to create a rather enormously funny distraction during a Russian politician's speech, flying around provocatively before one of his security guys swatted it out of the air. 

What I don't get is, why people turn all these objects into _lamps_.  Why not turn them into telephones?  Or propellers?  Why not make an old fire extinguisher work again, it's such a useful thing to have around?   Or make them sprout a forest of Groucho Marx noses & mustaches?   Or is it only because any dumb bunny can wire up a lamp (those who don't succeed might be earning Darwin Awards), so a lot of dumb bunnies do just that to prove the point?  Methinks some of those dumb bunnies would be more productively occupied with adult toys or propellers (but not both). 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 10, 2011, 07:17:44 AM
A lot of things out there were designed by some of us "dumb bunnies". There is a company making big money on wagon wheel chandlers, others take old and no longer useful lanterns and make outdoor lights out of them. It's called "Recycling". As far as the propeller  goes, look at it. It was no longer useable, as it had chunks of wood missing. I kept it from becoming firewood. Who knows, maybe someday you will see something similar it the high priced shops, after all, look at the mannequin leg lamps out there, that was the design of a "dumb bunny" at one time.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MDK on December 10, 2011, 09:58:14 AM
I found a trumpet that was smashed and missing pieces for 3 dollars. If I were to ever want to restore the trumpet, there are no holes drilled or any mods to the trumpet which could prevent that.

My son has stolen it from my music studio for his dorm room.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 10, 2011, 10:45:50 AM
MDK, your trumpet looks nice. A little Brasso and it could really shine.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: GG on December 11, 2011, 02:11:34 AM


OK, I'll recant slightly and agree that recycling some things into lamps instead of letting them end up in the landfill, is legit.  How to encourage Joe Random out there to check around about his "fresh from the barn" WE desk stand before drilling holes into it, remains to be seen. 

As for electric meters, I want my old analog meter back, since it didn't collect fine-grained details on my power usage that the utility could sell to God-Knows-Who, to figure out e.g. when I'm awake, when I'm asleep, and when I go to the bathroom, and then if the latter is off schedule, push ads for laxatives into my email.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 11, 2011, 09:22:11 AM
I definitely agree with you about the analog meters. Some don't realize that when they get the system totally in place they will be able to monitor and control your usage.
I have enclosed a couple of photos some railroad lanterns I have turned back into lanterns. I have a couple I couldn't convert back, so they are still lamps, though better looking than when I got them.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 11, 2011, 09:35:30 AM
GG, I also agree with you about converting phones into lamps. If it's an old phone or a useable phone I would get upset too. I also hate to see railroad lantern and any Dietz lantern, you know the old "barn" style lantern, turned into lamps "just because I can". Or those who take old AM radios and convert the cabinets into liqour cabinets. I grew up in an era when recyclers were called "junkmen" and the "good" people looked down on us. I will get off my soap box now.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: m1898 on December 11, 2011, 01:17:21 PM
I would not have done it myself but.............  I agree with WE_collector. Also, the lampshade is a good match fo it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 14, 2011, 09:22:30 PM
I suppose I should own up to doing something similar myself, using a Kirby nozzle and a rotary dimmer switch, I made the following "lamp", and used a retro-style bulb (it's a modern repro, can't get them any more thanks to the anti-incandescent movement), in my defence, the nozzle was worn out and not repairable, it kept falling off the Kirby...  :P

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 30, 2012, 01:16:16 AM
Quote from: Doug Rose on September 30, 2011, 10:40:10 AM
http://tinyurl.com/663r64j


Doug, here's the Fat Boy's WE soul mate - and at the low price of $120.

http://tinyurl.com/7rbwt9p

That would have been a nice metal finger wheel 500 in anyone's collection.

The seller web site has quite a few "upcycled" lighted objects but this 500 was the biggest waste.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on January 30, 2012, 08:46:15 AM
way too much time on their hands
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 30, 2012, 08:55:09 AM
I was browsing Instructables the other day and happened upon this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Retro-Phone-Phone-Charging-Station/

My comment there at the bottom said what I had to say really,  it's sad to see phones abused like that when there's most likely nothing wrong with them, and modifying them with drilling holes is just instant devaluation regardless of it's age and originality.... :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on January 30, 2012, 10:39:46 AM
That handset cord doesn't look right.  The "stub" on the transmitter end of the handset looks like one of those modern Cortelco handset cords.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 30, 2012, 10:45:54 AM
Yeah, the reason for that is they used a cheap car cigar lighter socket charger's cable to replicate the coiled cable, between the plug dangling from the earpiece and the mains charger exiting the back of the phone...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dpaynter1066 on January 30, 2012, 11:01:25 AM
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
-Einstein
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Tom B on February 21, 2012, 02:21:02 PM
It gets worse......

"http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unique-Vintage-RED-Rotary-Phone-Desk-Lamp-One-Kind-/120864570295"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: bingster on February 21, 2012, 02:42:17 PM
Patented??? I'd like to see proof of that patent.  People sure are full of themselves.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on February 21, 2012, 02:50:29 PM
Things like that need an "Undo" button, to undo the damage caused by people who insist on making something interesting into a blummin' lamp!!! ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Tom B on February 21, 2012, 02:52:50 PM
In the following listing on eBay there's a black one too.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 21, 2012, 07:26:44 PM
I saw that listing and was glad that at least the phone was a later model AE80.  I have been looking for an early read AE80 (and not a lamp).

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on February 21, 2012, 08:59:51 PM
Quote from: bingster on February 21, 2012, 02:42:17 PM
Patented??? I'd like to see proof of that patent.  People sure are full of themselves.

If AE were still around I wonder what they would have to say about his "Patent"?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on February 21, 2012, 09:04:38 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on February 21, 2012, 07:26:44 PM
I saw that listing and was glad that at least the phone was a later model AE80.  I have been looking for an early read AE80 (and not a lamp).
Larry

Better keep looking. the black one's made by someone other than AE (WECo, NECo, ITT?)

Both the red AE 80 and the black 500 have phone number BR549 on them...must be their model number of the creation.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Willytx on February 21, 2012, 09:40:27 PM
BR5-49 was the phone number for Junior Samples Used Car Lot (or was it Emporium?) on the program Hee-Haw.

The creator of the phone lamp should be arrested for Crimes Against Telephony.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Babybearjs on February 23, 2012, 08:08:18 PM
well, after archiving my AE 87 Phone collection and switching back to good 'ol Western Electric, I found this on ebay today! 3 years ago, I had about 10 86A phones that I scrapped out for parts and discarded... if I had only known I could have done this, I might of.... what a way to keep and old phone around....   John
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 23, 2012, 09:12:31 PM
Someone posted about that listing a day or two ago.  I have seen a number of phones mutilated in that way.  I don't know if they are all victims of the same  psychopath or not.  When he/she does this to a med blue 500, the outrage will be overwhelming.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Owain on February 24, 2012, 07:06:22 AM
If you wanted to do that 'properly' you'd drop the granny-style lampshade and use halogen or leds recessed into the receiver.

In fact you could probably do that with leds round the receiver capsule and keep the phone working.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on February 24, 2012, 07:33:03 AM
I think the only light-related modification I'd do to a phone would be to put a couple of LEDs either side of the clear hookswitch buttons, and have those light up when the handset is lifted, and that's it, but I probably won't cos I'm too lazy to work it out... :D

But yeah, it's horrible the way people must insist on turning perfectly useable things into practically useless desk lamps... :(

I mean, you can't use the phone as, say, a phone, and whether or not it can be restored back to it's original state, well, who knows, cos they're most likely trashed the handset, and drilled holes into the base or case to mount the "arm" for the lamp assembly, so it'd probably need more parts than it's worth sadly... :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: liteamorn on February 24, 2012, 08:13:48 AM
To me it's like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dpaynter1066 on February 24, 2012, 12:30:06 PM
When I saw the title to this post I immediately thought : "Make a tacky Lamp out of it" 

I guess it beats grinding them up and melting it down for the copper.  I posted to a different board about this, thought you might find it interesting:

When I was in High School, AT&T built a phone recycling center near me in  Gaston SC.  I worked one summer constructing concrete forms to pour footings for an expansion.

There were several acers filled with huge mounds of different kinds of telephones piled higher than my head, Wire of all sorts and any sort of PBX  and switching equipment you could name.

It all went into a sorting shed on a conveyor where the plastic was stripped out and the metal went into various smelters. They shipped out lots of copper ingots and occasionally some gold ingots. The first gold ingot they produced was a big deal in the papers with politicians all a smiling.

I remember thinking at the time "Geeze, what a shame to grind up all these neat looking old phones."

I quote:

"In 1987, four secondary copper smelters were in operation: ...and a facility located in Gaston, SC, that was owned by American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) until 1990 when it was purchased by Southwire Co. In 1987, estimated smelter capacities were... 85,000 kkg for the AT&T facility (Edelstein, 1999). "

One KiloGram  = 2.2 pounds so one kkg =  2200 pounds and  I guess 85,000 kkg  is then about  187,000,000 pounds per year or about 93,500 tons a year if I carried the noughts right in my calculations. It was a huge operation.

"By 1995, only three of these four facilities were in operation. The Southwire facility in Gaston (previously owned by AT&T) was closed in January 1995.
... Prior to 1990, when this facility was owned by AT&T, the plant processed a great deal of high-plastics-content scrap (such as whole telephones).  This scrap was fed to a pyrolysis unit prior to entering the blast furnace. In addition to a blast furnace, the facility also had an oxidizing reverberatory furnace for processing higher purity scrap. "

Even given that some of that was Central office equipment, Switchboards and PBX  and pulled out transmission wire, If you think about it, that was a hella lot of telephone Lamps that AT&T took out of circulation.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Babybearjs on February 24, 2012, 05:05:50 PM
ans that was the policy! if I remember reading, during WWII the policy was to destroy any and all telecommunications equipment so the enemy couldnt use it.... wonder what they would think if they started to see things like this back in the 40's.... I guess we are our own enemy, right?????
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dpaynter1066 on February 24, 2012, 05:38:34 PM
Exactly, The Bell system was determined to keep it out of the hands of Lamp makers and other undesirables. 


thus the slogan: "We had to destroy it in order to save it"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 07, 2012, 07:22:10 AM
Another one bites the dust and to add insult to injury, the seller states he/she did it  ". . . to give this old phone a new life suitable for any type of decor."

And it can be yours for only $129.99 BIN (plus shipping).

Sadly shaking my head on the seller's note "PLEASE NOTE: This is a vintage phone and has a few nicks, scratches and discolorations. Look closely at each photograph. These factors must play into your buying decision. You are buying character! :)"

http://tinyurl.com/c8fwso7

Sold for $99 with one bid.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on July 07, 2012, 07:50:21 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on July 07, 2012, 07:22:10 AMYou are buying character!

I think that character was lost when the phone was damaged by the person's attempt to give it a new life... ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: benkeys on July 18, 2012, 09:06:53 PM
I truly hope that this was not an actual phone that has been converted into a lamp..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320943321092
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 18, 2012, 09:43:32 PM
I shortened your ebaY link up by several hundred characters! I've posted the picture here as well so that a month or two from now when the ebaY link disappears, anyone reading this thread can still see what the discussion was about.

There are lots of lamps out there made from phones. There were even Junior Achievement clubs sponsored by phone companies that converted phones into lamps and sold them as an intro to business for youngsters.

My opinion is always that the particular phone in question was saved from the scrap yard by being converted into a lamp. Had it not turned into a lamp it wouldn't be with us today. It is frustrating on occasion when it happens to be a particularly rare or valuable phone that was modified.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: benkeys on July 18, 2012, 10:01:59 PM
thanks, i would of shortened it with tiny url, but wasnt sure if this forum supports tiny url, as another forum i'm on doesnt support it. I just hope it wasnt a truly valuable one.. and i agree if its made into a lamp, atleast its still getting to hang around with a new use.. I dont have a problem with doing stuff like that unless you destroy something good to do so.. even though i would much rather see it restored to working condition.. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 18, 2012, 10:08:50 PM
Yes tinyURL works here though I never use it. I just shorten the ebaY link by chopping off everything that follows  /itm/  except for the 12 digit number. Occasionally the super lonk links casue problems on this forum by widening the page for users of some browsers so that they can no longer see the buttons on the bottom to reply.

I have 4 phone lamps that I can think of at the moment, two AE 40's, one AE 50 and an AE 1A.

Some of the candlestick lamps were done in a way that is easy to undo, and others weren't. SOme have a bracket for the lamp post and shade fastened to the phone by the bolt through the perch so it can all be easily removed. Doesn't look like this one was done that way though.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on July 18, 2012, 11:38:31 PM
It's funny how incandescent bulbs over there look a lot whiter than incandescent bulbs over here...

Anyway, it is sad to see vintage phones modified into lamps, especially the ones where they drill holes through pretty much everything to get the lamp assembly in place, and ruining the shells and handsets (some examples I think are in the ugly phones thread), and also removing internal hardware to make room, so they're beyond repair or restoration... :(

Things like that candlestick are generally repairable though, so in the right hands it could be used again at some point... :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: benkeys on July 19, 2012, 12:02:41 AM
Lol.. i have no clue what bulbs look like over in the UK? so i dont notice a difference. It is sad, even more  when the phone is destroyed in the process.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 19, 2012, 12:07:14 AM
Some of our incandescent bulbs have a brighter white inside frosting where as the average one you can still see through the frosting enough to see the filament. The one pictured looks like it could be the whiter frosting.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 21, 2012, 11:20:48 PM
Well, daisyba did another one in.

And it can be yours for only $150.00 BIN (plus shipping). Inflation sets in. The last one was only $129 BIN but sold with one bid for $99. Guess because it actually sold, she was encouraged to "create" another and raise the price.

Once again, the seller says "I've scrubbed and cleaned this vintage Automatic Northlake electric rotary phone aqua blue/green and made room for new lighting elements by taking out some parts to give this old phone a new life suitable for any type of decor."

"PLEASE NOTE: This is a vintage phone and has a few nicks, scratches and discolorations. Look closely at each photograph. These factors must play into your buying decision. You are buying character!"

I guess character sells or, the one she sold was purchased by someone as a restoration project?  ::)    . . .  Nah!

http://tinyurl.com/cqnzapf

As an update, this phone today was re-listed for a second time. It didn't sell the first time it was listed, the second time it was listed and now up for a third time. Maybe daisyba will get the message and quit putting these phones through her chop shop. Here's the 2nd re-listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221090007984
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on July 22, 2012, 12:13:48 AM
I got told by her that I'm so rude for saying that seeing these phones done up like that is so saddening and makes them worthless as a phone and as spare parts.... ???

I guess people don't like the truth... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on July 22, 2012, 12:17:08 AM
People must be buying these atrocities, or she wouldn't keep listing them.  Go figure.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on July 22, 2012, 12:18:18 AM
I dread the moment that I see a blue plastic 302 done into one of these :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 22, 2012, 12:33:30 PM
Hmmmm, she's picking on AE sets now!

Seriously, I haven't seen anything from her yet that isn't readily available so, who cares! I wonder how the chrome pipe that the coil cord gets wrapped around is being anchored to the base plate? It has to be pretty secure at that point. Maybe the tube is flattened and bolted to the base plate inside the phone base.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 22, 2012, 01:25:17 PM
Quote from: AE_collector on July 22, 2012, 12:33:30 PM
I wonder how the chrome pipe that the coil cord gets wrapped around is being anchored to the base plate? It has to be pretty secure at that point. Maybe the tube is flattened and bolted to the base plate inside the phone base.

IMHO, from the picture, it looks like a large hole, the side of the flexible pipe, is drilled into the side of the case and the pipe inserted, say about a half inch, to allow two holes to be drilled through the base and pipe for anchor bolts. Or maybe a half round conduit clamp mounted to the base and then with fasteners holding the pipe to the clamp. The pipe could not be flattened because the seller said the power cords for the bulbs runs inside the pipe. She said the handset cord is not used for powering the bulbs.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 22, 2012, 07:25:13 PM
Yes I meant that the pipe goes into the base not under it. I did not think about wiring inside the pipe but that could still be accomplished by drilling a hole into the pipe to insert the wires on the other side of the point where the pipe is flattened and bolted to the base. But of course there are other ways to anchor it as you suggested.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 22, 2012, 10:54:07 PM
Quote from: AE_collector on July 22, 2012, 07:25:13 PM
I did not think about wiring inside the pipe but that could still be accomplished by drilling a hole into the pipe to insert the wires on the other side of the point where the pipe is flattened and bolted to the base.

Terry

Terry, I thought about that, flattening, then drilling a hole and then protecting the hole so it doesn't fray the power wires, But the seller used "flexible" pipe so the handset could be moved to any position the owner wanted it to be when lit. That type of tubing is hard to flatten and when flat, would be more difficult to mount because it is not a solid pipe. So, I think the best mount would be a strap of some sorts. Or welding.

So, should you or I buy it to find out how it was done?  ;D

Whatever she did, the phone is trash and will never again become a working telephone. Not worth the cost of restoration for that common phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 22, 2012, 11:17:08 PM
It would be interesting to see how they made it but I would bet that we would be disappointed to see how it was done! It might have been more interesting to make it a real phone with the flex pipe handset. Handsfree set!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Owain on July 30, 2012, 05:59:04 PM
Here's one I've never seen before. A 1980s BT Special Range Telephone Clipper (http://www.britishtelephones.com/tsr8026.htm) with a lamp added

Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271027245330)

An unbuggered-about-with one is £70 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150822205645)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on July 30, 2012, 06:43:16 PM
That arrangement would make the handset a bit difficult to access.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Owain on July 31, 2012, 06:41:59 AM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on July 30, 2012, 06:43:16 PM
That arrangement would make the handset a bit difficult to access.

The phone doesn't work anyway. and the leather dial card is upside-down.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 04, 2012, 10:02:08 AM
This phone was re-listed today. Maybe daisyba will get the message and quit putting these phones through her chop shop. It's not selling at her asking price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221090007984

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 04, 2012, 08:29:22 PM
This one is interesting. First one I've see that didn't need a lamp shade. Too bad they drilled the 40AL perch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180945080921

So, the seller asks or says "The lamp works but the phone cord is not functional.  I have never seen another phone like this with a lamp so I believe it was added later, but the work is so well done I may be mistaken."

Did WE make a lamp phone?  :D ;D :D ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on August 05, 2012, 06:22:58 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on August 04, 2012, 08:29:22 PM
Did WE make a lamp phone?  :D ;D :D ::)
Maybe they were sitting around an R&D table one day when the lights came on! Better than using candles.
:) ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 12, 2012, 08:25:29 PM
This is enough to make a grown person cry.

This D1 with an early handset can be yours for a BIN bid of $74.99 plus $18 in shipping.

Caution, sit down before you scroll down any further . . .


Last chance to leave before the horror is exposed . . . !

This seller described this "very HTF" item as:

"Up for sale. Awesome One of a Kind Vintage 1950's Mid Century Telephone Lamp Designed to be Desk Lamp or table Lamp. Looks like it was a working telephone at one time redesigned into a table lamp. Stands 22 inches tall. Works!

"Let this lamp take you back to a simpler time and place! It would look  wonderful in a rustic setting or in a man cave! It would also be a great conversation piece for those who like those things that are not "cookie cutter" type decorative things."

"Imagine the phone rings and your guest doesn't know whether to answer the phone or turn on the light!"



Okay, time is up. Here it is . . .

. . . and it really is something to cry over!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160863762599








Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 12, 2012, 08:33:36 PM
Is that drilled handset a WE A or just an E type?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul on August 19, 2012, 12:20:33 AM
Another lamp...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140825125250
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 19, 2012, 03:22:55 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on August 04, 2012, 08:29:22 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180945080921

Sold for $41 plus $11 shipping. Good deal for a fixer upper.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 25, 2012, 07:57:21 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on July 21, 2012, 11:20:48 PM
Well, daisyba did another one in.

And it can be yours for only $150.00 BIN (plus shipping). Inflation sets in. The last one was only $129 BIN but sold with one bid for $99. Guess because it actually sold, she was encouraged to "create" another and raise the price.

http://tinyurl.com/cqnzapf

As an update, this phone today was re-listed for a second time. It didn't sell the first time it was listed, the second time it was listed and now up for a third time. Maybe daisyba will get the message and quit putting these phones through her chop shop. Here's the 2nd re-listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221090007984


Just re-listed on a 7 day auction starting at $39. Nice to see nobody is encouraging her creativity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221114802513
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 28, 2012, 12:56:10 AM
Another handy man special . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261119668919
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 02, 2012, 08:50:34 AM
So much good stuff at one time but so sad, so cheap and yet, so very sad . . .

"Vintage Chic Shabby Rotary Dial Phone Ready to Make Into a Lamp"

$35 plus $12 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190746597974
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HowardPgh on November 02, 2012, 11:30:41 AM
Teleplay-
It is sad, but worthwhile if it has salvageable parts.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 02, 2012, 12:55:22 PM
Quote from: HowardPgh on November 02, 2012, 11:30:41 AMIt is sad, but worthwhile if it has salvageable parts.

Yes, I am sure there are parts there and the paint removed. The dial plate is scratched and the handset drilled but all else could be parted out. I just don't like watching any rotary phone die for such stupid, non-accidental, intentional reasons. That's what I mean when using the word "sad."
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on November 02, 2012, 01:26:03 PM
On that phone, the plunger and possibly the whole hook switch assembly is gone.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 02, 2012, 01:53:34 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on November 02, 2012, 01:26:03 PM
On that phone, the plunger and possibly the whole hook switch assembly is gone.

Yeah, saw the plunger was gone. It looks like it was a lamp and taken apart so most  likely the hook switch assy is also gone. The dial may be worth something. Certainly the base and cradle, handset cord, the receiver elements and caps. Even the soft center number card, maybe.

As I typed that, I was thinking it was this one but no, it's not. This one has the older, and sadder loss, handset.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261119668919

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 17, 2012, 07:56:01 AM
No great loss here on this conversion, except for the money paid should someone bite on this listing - $75 plus $20.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190755960070
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: old_stuff_hound on November 17, 2012, 09:31:16 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on November 17, 2012, 07:56:01 AM
No great loss here on this conversion, except for the money paid should someone bite on this listing - $75 plus $20.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190755960070

Well, if you absolutely have to make a lamp from a phone, this is a good one to do it with! I still don't get why people can't let lamps be lamps and phones be phones....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on November 17, 2012, 09:34:01 AM
Quote from: old_stuff_hound on November 17, 2012, 09:31:16 AMI still don't get why people can't let lamps be lamps and phones be phones....

I wonder if anyone has destroyed a lamp to turn it into a phone? ???
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on November 17, 2012, 11:27:46 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on November 17, 2012, 09:34:01 AM
I wonder if anyone has destroyed a lamp to turn it into a phone? ???

Something there rings a bell. Someone not too long ago posted something along that theme, a lamp turned into a phone. That's all I can remember.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul on November 20, 2012, 03:53:33 PM
Another lamp crime
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290816420740
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on November 20, 2012, 03:58:33 PM
Quote from: paul on November 20, 2012, 03:53:33 PM
Another lamp crime
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290816420740

I wonder what sort of fiend would sell an abomination like that ;D

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on November 20, 2012, 04:07:23 PM
Quote from: paul on November 20, 2012, 03:53:33 PM
Another lamp crime
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290816420740


Oh gwad, I'm just sick! 
QuoteThis is very cool
No it's not!
QuoteWhat better lamp to have in your phone display than a Phone made into a Lamp?
Just a regular lamp would be infinitely better. 
QuoteThis is NOT a working phone!
Well yeah, not now!  Reduce the price to $10 and I'll buy it just for that dial, never seen a QZ one before.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: old_stuff_hound on November 20, 2012, 05:29:17 PM
QuoteBakelite is in outstanding condition

Except for those huge holes drilled in it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on November 22, 2012, 02:31:37 AM
I'm not sure if this is the same guy I pleaded with not to do that to phones some time back, but the style looks the same.  I hope this was just an ITT and not a WE.  

http://tinyurl.com/anz6ksk (http://tinyurl.com/anz6ksk)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on November 22, 2012, 03:27:24 AM
I guess some people will not be happy until they have destroyed everything someone else finds appealing, using a working vintage rotary phone to dissect and turn into s lamp is just wrong, and takes more of what we're looking for off the market...  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 22, 2012, 08:04:39 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on November 22, 2012, 03:27:24 AM
using a working vintage rotary phone to dissect and turn into s lamp is just wrong, and takes more of what we're looking for off the market...  :(

I've had that same thought for a while now. It would make sense to separate out the lamp phones from all of the other hideous phones into their own page. I'd bet there are a lot more out there because more and more are surfacing and most of them without bulbs, harps or shades meaning they haven't been used as a lamp in quite some time, but finders see they bring money on eBay.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on November 22, 2012, 12:58:15 PM
Maybe they've been going through a few of those crates a week to come up with such insane vision as to what to do with vintage stuff... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 25, 2012, 05:16:18 AM
Now, this is different. I've never seen one modified this way. Kind of destroys the phone look. They could have just bought a lamp down at Sears or Target or Walmart instead of wasting time and a stick to do this.

It comes with a harp, shade and bulb making that BIN $100 price plus $15 shipping a real deal  ;).

Seller states it's a "1900's Western Electric Co. American Tel & Tel 323 Candlestick Phone Lamp Tole (tin lamp shade)."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300823197810

Question, does that look like an original receiver, or a repro? It seems to have no markings.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Western Electric on November 26, 2012, 01:02:54 PM
Why Do they do this  :(
Makes me SICK!

They do the same thing with old tv's
Except they turn them into fish tanks
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: kleenax on November 26, 2012, 02:23:25 PM
Here's an ALL-TIME great "Phone-Lamp Atrocity"! 

The LAMP on the table in front of us:
Found it at an antique shop in Lancaster, PA while attending the June show there. No kidding, it is (or was I should say) a Western Electric #10 Candlestick! If you can believe it, I got it for $85.00....

That's me seated, with Jon Katz on the right. Check out the original Colored AE Model 31B in Mahogany with Gold trim along with the Jade Green 1A.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ReneRondeau on November 30, 2012, 12:30:39 PM
I found this treasure at a local antique store a few years ago. For once, the maker mounted the lamp by using a bracket behind the phone and didn't drill through the top. Aside from two screw holes mounting the base of the phone to the wooden lamp base, and the usual polishing off the nickel, the phone was left intact.

Best of all, it was cheap.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 30, 2012, 12:35:10 PM
Rene.....it is a beauty!! What is the name and city and state on the faceplate. Can you post a closeup of the faceplate. Great find!!...Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ReneRondeau on December 01, 2012, 12:55:38 PM
Unfortunately I no longer own the phone, and when I dug through my photo file I couldn't find any of the faceplate. Sorry about that.

I did stumble upon this old ad, however. Undated but I seem to recall it was from a 1950s magazine.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 01, 2012, 01:12:09 PM
Quote from: kleenax on November 26, 2012, 02:23:25 PM
Here's an ALL-TIME great "Phone-Lamp Atrocity"!

No Mickey Mouse Phones in that picture Ray! Snoopy & Woodstock YES, but no Mickey Mouse.

Are the AE's Jonnathan's? Are they anything to do with the lot out of the railcar that you posted for find of the month awhile ago?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on December 01, 2012, 01:57:34 PM
Bohnsack was BECO the buttset people
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: kleenax on December 01, 2012, 10:34:38 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 01, 2012, 01:12:09 PM
Quote from: kleenax on November 26, 2012, 02:23:25 PM
Here's an ALL-TIME great "Phone-Lamp Atrocity"!

No Mickey Mouse Phones in that picture Ray! Snoopy & Woodstock YES, but no Mickey Mouse.

Are the AE's Jonnathan's? Are they anything to do with the lot out of the railcar that you posted for find of the month awhile ago?

Terry
Yep; they're the first 2 that I got restored from the find in the railcar. Working on the rest, but they are in worse shape.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 02, 2012, 01:48:37 AM
Well send me the left over "garbage" once you're done! My colored AE's are all basket cases except the two "Ray-K's" in my colection!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Babybearjs on December 03, 2012, 01:14:53 AM
leave it up[ to these "pop art" people.... they'll wreck anything in the name of "art"   yeh, right.......
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on December 03, 2012, 01:31:55 AM
Quote from: ReneRondeau on November 30, 2012, 12:30:39 PM
I found this treasure at a local antique store a few years ago. For once, the maker mounted the lamp by using a bracket behind the phone and didn't drill through the top. Aside from two screw holes mounting the base of the phone to the wooden lamp base, and the usual polishing off the nickel, the phone was left intact.

Best of all, it was cheap.

Not as good as yours, but I managed to snag a totally reversible lamp conversion candlestick lamp from Goodwill: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=6919.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=6919.0).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 04, 2012, 02:18:54 AM
Obviously, this phone was modified for the deaf so it could be used, by pressing the buttons, to send conversations in Morse Code.  :-\

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110985085267
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on December 06, 2012, 11:56:41 PM
.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Nick in Manitou on December 07, 2012, 12:34:09 AM
Good points.  Well and bravely stated.

Do I agree?  I'm not sure yet, but it got me thinking.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 07, 2012, 01:10:35 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on November 22, 2012, 03:27:24 AM
using a working vintage rotary phone to dissect and turn into s lamp is just wrong, and takes more of what we're looking for off the market...  :(

Quote from: TelePlay on November 22, 2012, 08:04:39 AM
I've had that same thought for a while now. It would make sense to separate out the lamp phones from all of the other hideous phones into their own page. I'd bet there are a lot more out there because more and more are surfacing and most of them without bulbs, harps or shades meaning they haven't been used as a lamp in quite some time, but finders see they bring money on eBay.

DONE!

I just  split all of the "Lamp Phone" posts out of the "Hideous Phones" thread and merged them into Brinybay's "Lamp Phone Atrocities" thread.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 07, 2012, 01:16:22 AM
Quote from: unbeldi on December 06, 2012, 11:56:41 PM
Frankly, I find nothing offensive about turning phones into lamps, or into whatever for that matter.

Some of you are probably tired of hearing my opinion on Lamp Phones but here goes again.

While it is upsetting to see a telephone butchered into a lamp we have to remember this one thing. In all liklihood the phone would not still be with us if someone hadn't turned it into a lamp which is what saved it from the scrap metal furnaces. So we need to be happy that it is still here with us and see what we can do to restore it.

I too kind of like some of the lamp phones and have four of them that come to mind at the moment. None are phones that I converted to lamps but rather I bought or acquired them already converted into lamps. None of them are rare hard to get phones either. I have 2 AE 40's, an AE 50 and an AE 1A that are lamps.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Just4Phones on December 07, 2012, 11:18:18 AM
I agree with Terry on his theory that the phones would be long gone if not turned into lamps.  I would like to share two stories:

Story 1:
Here is my theory.  I once had a book written for "handymen" in the 50's on how to turn "outdated useless" furniture into "modern and updated" furniture.  It showed a man dismantling and basically destroying BEAUTIFUL art deco furniture and creating "50's modern" furniture out of it.  At the time to see this beautiful furniture destroyed broke my heart.  I bet somewhere out there someone wrote a similar book for telephones and that is why we see what we see now.  These phones were considered garbage at the time and would be gone had they not been "preserved" by "handymen".

Story 2:

I met a man about 10 years ago selling telephones when I started collecting on a more serious level.  He told me when he was younger he was responsible for cleaning out old warehouses.  One of his customers had a factory that had about 500-750 302's that needed to be removed.  Again these were considered garbage at the time.  He told me he personally sold them in bulk to a construction company and they used them as landfill and cemented them in building foundations.  Tell me that doesn't break your heart.   "yesterdays garbage"  Moral of the story:  save your modular 2500's as they may be tomorrows 302's.

Joel



Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 07, 2012, 11:50:12 AM
Many of the Lamp phones or at least the idea for them originated with Junior Achievement programs operated by some Telco's. Youngsters were given some business training by doing projects such as turning the Telco's old retired telephones into things like Lamps and then selling them to the public to gain business experience.

I have seen articles and pictures about this but I am not sure where now. Maybe someone has something they can add about this.

I think that Old Phones and Phone Lamps were used as retirement gifts for Telco Employees.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: davidbholcomb on December 07, 2012, 02:35:23 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 07, 2012, 11:50:12 AM
Many of the Lamp phones or at least the idea for them originated with Junior Achievement programs operated by some Telco's. Youngsters were given some business training by doing projects such as turning the Telco's old retired telephones into things like Lamps and then selling them to the public to gain business experience.

I have seen articles and pictures about this but I am not sure where now. Maybe someone has something they can add about this.

I think that Old Phones and Phone Lamps were used as retirement gifts for Telco Employees.

Terry

Terry, I am not sure if the kids in Junior Achievement originated the idea but I think they were enterprising enough to popularize it. I was able to find that as far back as 1955 they were making "telephone lamps." The article below shows Junior Achievement making them in 57. In the 80's they, JA, did the same thing with old fire extinguishers. I also found an example, from 1972, were the telephone lamps were given out to retirees of the phone system. See below.
Prior to this idea of making old obsolete phones into lamps (the 1950's) a "telephone lamp" was a small lamp placed on the small telephone table that most American homes had. I have included an ad for these, from 1935, in the pdf file below with several other items for telephone lamps. Contrarian to the thinking here, and judging by the number of examples found in this discussion,  I would say that telephone lamps are a whole collecting field unto themselves.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on December 09, 2012, 02:42:51 PM
So what kind of phones are/were these?  I can't tell from the pictures, other than they have WE dials.

http://salem.craigslist.org/for/3364423629.html (http://salem.craigslist.org/for/3364423629.html) ( dead link 02-21-21 )

Quote2 Rotary Phone Table Lamps - $115 (Stayton)

Date: 2012-11-20, 9:53AM PST
Reply to this post Reply to: ng5rq-3364423629@sale.craigslist.org

2 matching table lamps. The base of the lamp is an actual rotary phone that works. The light part has a nice beige lamp shade. This would make a nice novelty Christmas present or maybe just a good way to show your children a part of the past. I am asking $65.00 a piece or $115.00 for the pair.

If interested call Judi at 503-569-4174. Come check us out at Judi's Junktion 333 N 1st St Stayton, Or. 97383
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 26, 2012, 12:13:27 AM
Another D1 "Mid-Century-Retro-Rotary-Telephone-Table-Lamp-or-Desk-Lamp-Very-HTF" lamp. Hard To Find indeed.

Seller states "Awesome One of a Kind Vintage 1950's Mid Century Telephone Lamp Designed to be Desk Lamp or Table Lamp Looks like it was a working telephone at one time redesigned into a table lamp Stands 22 inches tall Works!"

Imagine that, looks like it was a working telephone at one time, D'oh!  :-\ My disappointment easily turns to sarcasm on these. On the other had, $60 isn't bad for the parts, I think. Surprised the auction is almost over and no one jumped at the BIN price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160930514634
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: cello973 on December 27, 2012, 09:56:46 AM
Well curiosity got the best of me so I bought this one on ebay.... I was hoping it was a reproduction and not a real 202 but I was quickly disappointed once I I opened the box and found that it was once a real telephone and stripped clean to boot the dial is a 4H and was stripped clean and modified with a push switch to turn the lamp on and off all you do is dial 6 or "O" how clever.... wish I knew who the person was that committed this heinous crime I would love to show them a few clever tricks I can perform with a 2X4....


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 27, 2012, 01:17:36 PM
Quote from: cello973 on December 27, 2012, 09:56:46 AM
I was hoping it was a reproduction and not a real 202 but I was quickly disappointed once I I opened the box and found that it was once a real telephone

At least it can be restored, that hole drilled into the back of the base can be filled in and the phone repainted/replated, the dial replaced and the handset refitted with it's gubbins, and anything else it may require, most phone destroyers just drill down through the handset & hookswitch making them impossible to restore properly, so, there's hope for this one yet... :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: the phone house on December 27, 2012, 01:39:50 PM
Purchased at Antique stores, would never do this...last one from Target
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on December 27, 2012, 01:49:33 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 07, 2012, 11:50:12 AM
Many of the Lamp phones or at least the idea for them originated with Junior Achievement programs operated by some Telco's. Youngsters were given some business training by doing projects such as turning the Telco's old retired telephones into things like Lamps and then selling them to the public to gain business experience.

I have seen articles and pictures about this but I am not sure where now. Maybe someone has something they can add about this.

I think that Old Phones and Phone Lamps were used as retirement gifts for Telco Employees.

Terry

Originally, I thought the lamp phones were simply the work of individuals who got the idea either on their own or from other uninformed individuals.  Knowing now that this was something that was popularized by Telcos, Popular Mechanics Magazine, et al, it's not quite as upsetting, but I still don't like it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on December 27, 2012, 02:20:33 PM
I saw one once like that last one in an antique store.  It seems that even antique dealers don't know the difference between an antique and any thing elase.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on December 27, 2012, 02:21:37 PM
Depends on what the price is and if the parts that can be salvaged are worth as much or more.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on December 27, 2012, 02:22:37 PM
Quote from: Phonesrfun on December 27, 2012, 02:20:33 PM
It seems that even antique dealers don't know the difference between an antique and any thing elase.

I'm always amazed at how clueless some antique dealers are.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 27, 2012, 03:40:55 PM
What the heck is that last one? A floor standing telephone?!

Phone House: I am going to move this to the Lamp Phone Atrocities ongoing topic so these lamps can hang out with the other lamps.....

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 12:32:55 AM
It was made by WE as an "ANTIQUE CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE LAMP" classified as "PATIENT 1915" and done well enough that "THE LAMP WORKS" according to the seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321046763656


"THIS IS A REAALY NEAT LAMP.  LIFT THE RECEIVER AND IT TURNS THE LAMP ON PUT IT ON THE HANDLE AND IT TURNS IT OFF.   MADE BY WESTERN ELECTRIC   PATIENT IN 1915   STANDS 32" TALL WITH THE SHADE."  :o

Imagine that, and the lucky bidder will only have to shell over a minimum of $239 for this rare lamp. Hurry, auction ends in 5 days.  ;)

Seriously, how does one come up with a price like that on an item like this?

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: old_stuff_hound on December 29, 2012, 11:28:18 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 12:32:55 AM
It was made by WE as an "ANTIQUE CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE LAMP" classified as "PATIENT 1915" and done well enough that "THE LAMP WORKS" according to the seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321046763656


"THIS IS A REAALY NEAT LAMP.  LIFT THE RECEIVER AND IT TURNS THE LAMP ON PUT IT ON THE HANDLE AND IT TURNS IT OFF.   MADE BY WESTERN ELECTRIC   PATIENT IN 1915   STANDS 32" TALL WITH THE SHADE."  :o


It was patient in 1915, but is it still patient? I'd have lost my patience by now....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on December 29, 2012, 11:43:24 AM
Quote from: old_stuff_hound on December 29, 2012, 11:28:18 AM
It was patient in 1915, but is it still patient? I'd have lost my patience by now....
It makes me wonder how many of those who sell phone lamps are or should be patients!

Dave
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dave F on December 29, 2012, 01:55:45 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 12:32:55 AM
<snip>...Seriously, how does one come up with a price like that on an item like this?
I think all these phone lamps can be lumped into the category, "If you build it, they will come".  Jerks wouldn't be selling them if morons weren't buying them!

DF
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 29, 2012, 03:35:30 PM
Quote from: Dave F on December 29, 2012, 01:55:45 PMI think all these phone lamps can be lumped into the category, "If you build it, they will come".

Works for Ford, GM and Chrysler too I guess... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 03:57:47 PM
I wonder if the seller would entertain an offer for the phone only, less leaded "antique" shade?

BIN at $310 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400348133540

"This is a telephone lamp with an antique lamp shade. The telephone lamp goes on and off by removing the speaker. The telephone lamp itself is not that old but, the lamp shade is antique. The lamp shade does have some breaks as shown in the pictures."

That lamp shade is more than a 100 years old? Imagine that . . .  ;)

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul on December 29, 2012, 06:39:34 PM
Æsthetics and the value of that shade aside, looking closer I'd have to say that's the least "destructive" lamp conversion I've seen recently, with its socket on a bracket and not on a rod drilled down into the set.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 08:20:53 PM
Quote from: paul on December 29, 2012, 06:39:34 PM
Æsthetics and the value of that shade aside, looking closer I'd have to say that's the least "destructive" lamp conversion I've seen recently, with its socket on a bracket and not on a rod drilled down into the set.

Yes, it is a very nice phone but the price for one of these is way high at $250. If one could sell the shade alone after shelling out $360 for about $280, it would be a nice, seems to be in very good condition stick.  I don't like to post live auctions until they end unless they are either junk or overpriced.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 08:26:03 PM
Here's an old wood WE that will make some of you collectors cry. It still active but with a starting bid of $500 and a BIN at $1,000 and with a few hours more than a day to go right now, I don't think any of us will jump to this kluged gadget, whatever it is supposed to be. Reminds me of my refrigerator door which is full of magnet things.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281042281475

Didn't sell at $500 (imagine that) so seller just relisted it on a 7 day auction starting at $300, no BIN.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281045063162
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 08:39:32 PM
And this one will make you laugh, and I'm not clowning around either.

About 2 days to go on this BIN auction to get this "BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE COLONIAL PRIMITIVE ARTS & CRAFT STYLE HAND PAINTED CLOWN ELECTRIC LIGHT / LAMP MADE FROM AN OLD WESTERN ELECTRIC TELEPHONE. I ADDED LOTS OF PHOTOS TO SHOW HOW WONDERFUL THIS IS SUCH A RARE FIND! EDWARDIAN VICTORIAN STYLE PRIMITIVE PIECE" rare find (I can believe that) for $190 including shipping.

You'll have to provide your own paint removal stuff. Who knows what's under that paint and left inside the phone?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330848916048
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: teka-bb on December 29, 2012, 09:17:20 PM

I'll pass; no bulb included !!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 09:37:58 PM
Quote from: teka-bb on December 29, 2012, 09:17:20 PM

I'll pass; no bulb included !!!

I don't think the artist had one either. ;) At least, one that worked.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 29, 2012, 09:50:45 PM
Quote from: teka-bb on December 29, 2012, 09:17:20 PM

I'll pass; no bulb included !!!

Wouldn't the bulb just quickly burn out anyway if you plugged it in over there Remco?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 29, 2012, 09:52:00 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 08:26:03 PM
I don't think any of us will jump to this kluged gadget, whatever it is supposed to be.

And I thought that was obvious! It's a still.....isn't it?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 30, 2012, 02:01:13 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 29, 2012, 08:26:03 PMI don't think any of us will jump to this kluged gadget, whatever it is supposed to be.

The clue's in the title, "Steampunk", sticking vintage looking stuff together to make some abomination to impress their steampunk brethren, while destroying some valuable stuff in the process... ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 30, 2012, 02:02:37 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 29, 2012, 09:50:45 PMWouldn't the bulb just quickly burn out anyway if you plugged it in over there Remco?

Terry

Not unless it's plugged into a step-down transformer... ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 30, 2012, 02:12:55 AM
Quote from: twocvbloke on December 30, 2012, 02:01:13 AM
The clue's in the title, "Steampunk", sticking vintage looking stuff together to make some abomination to impress their steampunk brethren, while destroying some valuable stuff in the process... ::)

I've seen Steampunk before but never knew what it meant/stood for and didn't waste the time to Google it. Just did. At least now I know, for what it's worth, and it's apparent some people have way too much time on their hands . . . and a subgenre to boot?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: George Knighton on December 30, 2012, 08:55:43 AM
I had to go look up steampunk.

I don't get out much.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on December 30, 2012, 09:13:06 AM
Quote from: George Knighton on December 30, 2012, 08:55:43 AMI don't get out much.

Neither do they... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: teka-bb on December 30, 2012, 11:16:54 AM

Here are a few pictures of a phone lamp that was made by WE using old candlestick parts.
I think it looks nice but don't care for the ashtray.
I took the picture at the Hawthorn museum in Cicero IL.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 09, 2013, 07:11:49 PM
This one is on Etsy for $135. The seller description makes it seem like he recovered a 565, not restored, phone. Nice touch with the lit hold and line one buttons. For some reason, this one doesn't disturb me, as long as I believe the seller's comments on the phone before recovery.

"1970 holding on line two...

Back in the mid-70s my Navy dad was assigned to the NROTC program at the University of South Carolina. During the summers I could go to work with him and I vividly recall two things about those days: 1. My dad could burn up a typewriter with his typing skills. 2. His black multi-line rotary phone with those blinking buttons that I could never quite figure out.

This old phone takes me back...

We recently found this old relic in rough condition, hiding out in retirement with major internal injuries. My USC days forced me to haul it to the studio where it has been cleaned and refitted with all new electrical parts that will allow it to live out its days as a lamp. The handset features two UL recognized candelabra sockets with frosted globe bulbs. We have also added a clear flashing candelabra bulb inside which blink the red hold button and the second clear line button.

FUN STUFF!

All bulbs are easy to replace and are controlled by an in-line rotary switch which is part of the new cord.
No power runs through the coiled phone cord! It is wrapped around flexible lamp pipe and is only decoration. Standard telephone size.

NOTE: This is a 1970 telephone that has been used and abused. You are buying the character wrought by its years of trustworthy service."

http://tinyurl.com/bbqhrda
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 09, 2013, 09:13:43 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on January 09, 2013, 07:11:49 PMNOTE: This is a 1970 telephone that has been used and abused. You are buying the character wrought by its years of trustworthy service.

I'd still prefer the phone to be a phone, after all, a phone is useful, be it as parts or as a restoration project... ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on January 09, 2013, 10:26:38 PM
At least it isn't an early round button 564 Key Phone in Mahogany....

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Dave F on January 10, 2013, 12:32:29 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on January 09, 2013, 07:11:49 PM

NOTE: This is a 1970 telephone that has been used and abused. You are buying the character wrought by its years of trustworthy service."

http://tinyurl.com/bbqhrda

I suppose it's better than ending up in a dumpster but, as a keyset lover, it still makes me queasy.  Excuse me, but I really have to look for that bottle of Pepto Bismol.....

DF
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 10, 2013, 03:06:54 PM
Quote from: Dave F on January 10, 2013, 12:32:29 PMExcuse me, but I really have to look for that bottle of Pepto Bismol.....

Hopefully that hasn't been turned into a lamp-bottle... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Western Electric on January 12, 2013, 10:43:54 AM
Quote from: bingster on May 07, 2009, 10:32:10 AM
I was speechless when I found these:

THAT IS A REAL BLUE 302 :'( :'( :'( :'( >:( >:( >:(

<edit> From this same Topic back on Page 1, Reply #5 (or click the link below to go there) - Terry

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg12326#msg12326
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: George Knighton on January 12, 2013, 10:52:45 AM
Quote from: Western Electric on January 12, 2013, 10:43:54 AM
Quote from: bingster on May 07, 2009, 10:32:10 AM
I was speechless when I found these:



THAT IS A REAL BLUE 302 :'( :'( :'( :'( >:( >:( >:(

Yes.  Very depressing.

I have an Ivory and an Old Rose, and it looks like it's not too hard to get a Green and a Pekin Red....

But, Blue....  It looks like I'll have a very hard time finding one of those.

Annoying and upsetting to see one used like that.  :-)

I guess if you own something you can do whatever the hell you want with it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 12, 2013, 07:03:16 PM
Then you send a link to an ebay auction for a non-lamped one to the seller to show how much money they lost in the process of drilling holes and trashing a rare phone... :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 17, 2013, 08:54:44 PM
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, oooooohhhhhhhhhhh!  :'(

"Truly unique one of a kind piece. This Western Electric Co. Imperial 202 phone was made in to a workable lamp."

D'oh!

And wasn't that a solid white handset?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360567585499
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul on January 17, 2013, 09:07:04 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on January 17, 2013, 08:54:44 PM
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, oooooohhhhhhhhhhh!  :'(

"Truly unique one of a kind piece. This Western Electric Co. Imperial 202 phone was made in to a workable lamp."

D'oh!

That same seller has, among 5 other just fine phones, an "unmolested" Imperial for sale. http://www.ebay.com/itm/130836898499
I would have to give this seller the benefit of the doubt that he was not the converter of the 202 Lamp, maybe it was acquired as part of a lot.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 17, 2013, 09:39:28 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on January 17, 2013, 08:54:44 PM
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, oooooohhhhhhhhhhh!  :'(

"Truly unique one of a kind piece. This Western Electric Co. Imperial 202 phone was made in to a workable lamp."

D'oh!

And wasn't that a solid white handset?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360567585499


My Imperial came to me as a lamp.  The handset was drilled through, the entire plunger assembly was missing, the contacts from the 5J dial were missing, and the wires were snipped off of the handset cord on both ends.  The gold finish was in mostly excellent condition though.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Adam on January 22, 2013, 01:29:49 PM
Posted today to eBay.  This set isn't as rare as a 202 or a candlestick, but it looks like it was a nice set and red is my favorite Western Electric color.

Ouch!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170978969805
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on January 22, 2013, 01:54:31 PM
If they had listed that red phone on ebay UK, they'd have gotten a lot of money for it, cos for some reason us brits love red phones... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: claudioggs on February 01, 2013, 01:36:04 AM
This was my found today in Craiglists

see below the attached selling text :-)
Let me know if you want the link (may be you want to buy it to reconverted...)

Claudio

2 matching table lamps. The base of the lamp is an actual rotary phone that works. The light part has a nice beige lamp shade. This would be a good way to show your children a part of the past. I am asking $50.00 a piece or $95.00 for the pair.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul on February 01, 2013, 10:03:34 AM
I've seen those lamps before. Those were constructed as phone lamps. I doubt there's much original to recover from them. The handsets and cradles they rest on appear to be an intercom type (hard to tell from the picture), designed to hang alone with a handset, not removed from any phone. The guts could be anyone's guess. Maybe even surplus design line ones from that shiny dial they have.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Owain on February 10, 2013, 06:48:15 PM
For lovers of Dictograph intercommunicating telephones, here's one that's been adap... conver... bastar...., okay I'll settle for 'modified' into a lamp

Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290861290560) and they want £65 for it!

QuoteOLD BAKERLIGHT TELEPHONE EXCHANGE

I HAVE CONVERTED THIS INTO A HALL TABLE LIGHT

HAVE THE NOSTALGA OF AN OLD PHONE AND THE USE OF A MODERN LIGHT ALL IN ONE  WILL LOOK GREAT IN A

PERIOD HOUSE OR A MODERN APARTMENT

HAS NEW WIRE PLUG AND FITTINGS HAS AN INLINE ON OFF SWITCH

so at least we know who did the dirty deed.

Edit he has another one listed, and also a 700 series phone, a fire extinguisher, etc etc etc.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 10, 2013, 06:50:29 PM
That's just dumb!!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on February 23, 2013, 11:17:10 PM
This one may have been listed above, just don't have the time to go through all the pages to see if this is a re-list or sadly another 202 Imperial that bit the dust. -- Just went through all of these pages and unfortunately this is a first time appearance of this phone so another classic did indeed bite the dust

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121071737281

They want more at its BIN listed price of $134.95 plus $10.85 shipping than a working Imperial in relatively good condition.

And at that price, the seller offers no description, no shade and no bulb. However, I'm sure that marketing driven BIN price will hook a buyer quickly . . .  :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on February 24, 2013, 02:37:50 AM
Very decorative ......

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Mr. Bones on February 24, 2013, 02:53:49 AM
     I'm quite relieved to see that Western Electric abandoned the train of thought that was evidenced by this early prototype, and settled on the mushroom phones, instead.

     It looks more than just a bit unwieldy to carry on a conversation with! :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on February 24, 2013, 05:50:32 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on February 24, 2013, 02:37:50 AM
Very decorative ......

Terry

I think we should post lamp-phone makers (or artistes, as they consider themselves) after we convert them to lamps. See it they like it! All it would take is enough tubing to go through a hole drilled in their head and out the other end, a rubber stopper (larger for some than others), some cord, plug, and a socket! Instead of "Montezuma's revenge"  we could call it "Bell's revenge" ;D

Dave
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: southernphoneman on February 25, 2013, 08:20:32 PM
currently up for auction on ebay is a we 202 that has been converted to a lamp. as a collector and an owner of a 202 it is sad to see what some people do to these phones.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Sargeguy on February 26, 2013, 06:40:54 PM
I'm not so sure.  I spoke to my-brother in law's Dad over the weekend.  He is a retired electrician who was active in Newport, RI.  One of his jobs was maintaining the Interphone systems in the large estates in Newport.  He told me about removing "tons" of old candlestick and wooden intercoms back in the late 50s and early 60s when the clients were upgrading to modern systems.  The fate of these phones was almost always scrap.  He thought it was a shame to scrap all of them, so he would occasionally take a few home with him and convert them into lamps.  He still has two Western Electric 6 button candlestick Interphones that he has converted into lamps, the only damage to the phones are the holes in the top of the transmitter cups and the missing subset cord.  They are still in use as lamps.  I personally own a Western Electric "Hershey's Kiss" 20-B with a screw shaft and wooden bottom that was once a lamp.  Luckily the converter used a bracket rather than drilling so the phone is complete and undamaged.  Most old phones were considered junk once they became obsolete.  If it hadn't been recycled into a lamp would it still be around today?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on February 26, 2013, 07:13:34 PM
Junior Achievement also made a lot of lamps from 202s. On the one I had, all the contacts on the dial and hookswitch had been removed.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: cello973 on February 26, 2013, 11:26:49 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on February 26, 2013, 07:13:34 PM
Junior Achievement also made a lot of lamps from 202s. On the one I had, all the contacts on the dial and hookswitch had been removed.

Junior Achievement... they should be shot as well!!!  :P

What we hold dear others do not... If it were not for the ones we save, I fear they would have all been destroyed.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on February 27, 2013, 12:27:36 AM
Quote from: cello973 on February 26, 2013, 11:26:49 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on February 26, 2013, 07:13:34 PM
Junior Achievement also made a lot of lamps from 202s. On the one I had, all the contacts on the dial and hookswitch had been removed.

Junior Achievement... they should be shot as well!!!  :P

What we hold dear others do not... If it were not for the ones we save, I fear they would have all been destroyed.

I remember as a Cub Scout in the early 60s making ashtrays out of old 78 rpm records.  We'd bake them, fold them over a mold into a bowl shape while they were still pliable, let them cool, putty the hole and then paint them.  Now I collect old 78s.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on February 27, 2013, 03:10:32 PM
Quote from: Sargeguy on February 26, 2013, 06:40:54 PM
If it hadn't been recycled into a lamp would it still be around today?

No they wouldn't be here so making them into lamps at least preserved them for parts or to leave as lamps (I have 4 AE Lamps) and if nothing else it goves us something to bicker about! But no, in most cases they wouldn't be here if they weren't turned ito a lamp.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 27, 2013, 04:41:35 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on February 26, 2013, 07:13:34 PM
Junior Achievement also made a lot of lamps from 202s. On the one I had, all the contacts on the dial and hookswitch had been removed.

The Telephone Pioneers converted many, many of the old D1 Imperials into lamps. Many of the imperials that you find now were former  Pioneer lamps, they easy check is if the Painted F1 handset takes F elements or G elements.

If it will accept G elements, then it is more likely to be original. If the painted handset takes F elements, then it is probably a re-conversion back into a phone.

JMO,

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on March 09, 2013, 06:31:51 PM
I was just looking on ebay at french telephones, inspired by THIS (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8946.0) thread, and it seems even the Socotel S63 hasn't escaped being destroyed and turned into a lamp.... :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on March 10, 2013, 11:01:50 AM
Seems reversible, but really worth it?  All that pitting, no stampings, no dial and maybe repro parts?

All for $275 BIN?  :-\

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321087328522
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on March 10, 2013, 05:04:09 PM
"Up for sale is this antique candle stick lamp/phone. I think the candle stick phone was made in 1892  because it's marked patented Nov.17-91 - Nov.1-92. Then at a later time was converted to a lamp. this is the way this candle stick lamp/phone works.  After plugging in the lamp/phone wen you take the speaker receiver off it's handle the light turns on. Wen you hang up the speaker receiver back on the candle stick  handle it turns off the light. That's so cool. Also I am not sure if the lamp shade is glass or porcelain I bought it separate from the lamp/phone at a antique store. The bottom of the lamp shade has a small chip where it gets tightened to the lamp/phone so it is not noticeable and can not bee seen.. "

$299.95 BIN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251242519322
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on March 10, 2013, 08:53:24 PM
This one is obvious if the phone is that old. They had telephone service and then when electric lights came to town they converted their phone into a lamp!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on March 10, 2013, 11:35:22 PM
At least when the phone service was down....  the device could be used for optical signaling...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on March 10, 2013, 11:38:55 PM
when phone service is getting boring...  one also needs a clock to watch the time fly by...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on March 11, 2013, 12:08:54 AM
Quote from: unbeldi on March 10, 2013, 11:35:22 PM
At least when the phone service was down....  the device could be used for optical signaling...

That is an "Aldis Lamp" isn't it?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on March 11, 2013, 12:31:09 AM
Quote from: unbeldi on March 10, 2013, 11:38:55 PM
when phone service is getting boring...  one also needs a clock to watch the time fly by...

That poor 741, people pay silly money for those in original or converted condition.... :-\

I must get myself one (or a 711) to prevent it's destruction... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: claudioggs on March 11, 2013, 11:51:47 AM
I found a well converted, dual use, lamp-phone (or phone-lamp) in ebay.
We must recognize this design is original.
Cheers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIQUE-1970S-SEE-THRU-ACRYLIC-LUCITE-ROTARY-PHONE-W-LIGHT-YELLOW-BLACK-/251240546528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7f1a80e0
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Nick in Manitou on March 11, 2013, 02:05:43 PM
Certainly creative...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 11, 2013, 02:33:54 PM
Quote from: claudioggs on March 11, 2013, 11:51:47 AM
I found a well converted, dual use, lamp-phone (or phone-lamp) in ebay.
We must recognize this design is original.
Cheers

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIQUE-1970S-SEE-THRU-ACRYLIC-LUCITE-ROTARY-PHONE-W-LIGHT-YELLOW-BLACK-/251240546528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7f1a80e0

That one was made by Paul Nelson Industries, Englewood, CO. The made a lot of interesting phones in the 1970's. They used mainly SC and ITT phone parts.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: the phone house on March 12, 2013, 10:24:08 AM
My Lamp Phone Atrocities!! None courtesy of me, all purchased as is!! Last one courtesy of "Target Store"!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: claudioggs on March 16, 2013, 10:05:03 PM
Hi,

If you are near to Tampa, you can buy this one...

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bar/3652863806.html

$300
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: claudioggs on March 16, 2013, 10:55:01 PM
Here one in New Hampshire

http://nh.craigslist.org/atq/3625849873.html

The seller is the guy who make convertions.
We must admit, the switch system is really cool...

$325

Cheers
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 07, 2013, 09:59:58 PM
Steampunk strikes again, but this may be restorable. I don't know where they come up with these descriptions but they are always something else.

"RARE Vintage Industrial Machine Age Lamp Light STEAMPUNK METAL Antique Telephone"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271185945856

Opening at $150 plus $12 shipping.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on April 07, 2013, 10:15:37 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on April 07, 2013, 09:59:58 PM
I don't know where they come up with these descriptions

Presumably the fantasy lands that exist only in their heads that ignores all reality and history... :D

I like the neon flickerbulb though, it's just in the wrong setting... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on April 08, 2013, 12:00:52 AM
Would have to assume that the transmitter is going to have some SteamPunk Issues.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on April 08, 2013, 09:44:24 PM
Quote from: claudioggs on March 16, 2013, 10:55:01 PM
Here one in New Hampshire

http://nh.craigslist.org/atq/3625849873.html

The seller is the guy who make convertions.
We must admit, the switch system is really cool...

$325

Cheers

If you hang up the receiver to turn off the lamp, I hope the little insulator isn't missing off the hook. Well, I guess you can always turn the plug upside down if it shocks you.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 20, 2013, 12:37:20 PM
I didn't post this while the 3 day auction was open because it seemed like a good price for a newer AE 3 slot. These go for twice this without the lamp addition. This one seems to be in good condition, for parts or restoration. Seems to have both locks but no mention of keys.

But, with no pictures of the inside, I would guess that's why nobody wanted to take a chance.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251261788780

It's been relisted in a 3 day auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/itm/251263401175
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WesternElectricBen on April 20, 2013, 12:59:59 PM
I saw another one on ebay today!  When I was in lancaster last year I was at the post office and the guy was telling me how he was converting a candlestick phone to a lamp but it didn't turn out well.

I was thinking: You idiot...

I said, sounds cool, too bad it didn't work out...

Ben
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 25, 2013, 08:34:43 PM
Want to make the seller cry? Tell him what this would be worth without the illuminating attachment.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181129857304

$190 BIN plus $25 shipping in a brand new 7 day auction.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on April 25, 2013, 08:45:21 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on April 25, 2013, 08:34:43 PM
Want to make the seller cry? Tell him what this would be worth without the illuminating attachment.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181129857304

$190 BIN plus $25 shipping in a brand new 7 day auction.

I just saw that phone/lamp and I almost cried :'(

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Mr. Bones on April 25, 2013, 09:53:28 PM
     Maybe the only way we can stop the madness, is to buy all the antique, rare, minty lamps we can find, convert them to telephones, and flood ePay ,etc. with them?

Best regards!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on April 25, 2013, 10:14:59 PM
I think I missed it buy a minute or two, was pretty sure it was still for sale when i was looking at it but when I hit the BIN button it was "no longer available". Right in my back yard too and that NEVER happens (to/for me)! It would have looked good in between my two black 40 lamps.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 12, 2013, 08:47:30 PM
Well, it's different, almost human, but, still a waste . . .  :-\

Insides of this 315H look good, as does the wood not bored out for legs and the lamp. Expensive parts lamp phone.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321125036988

7 day auction starting at $99 plus $17.50 shipping.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on May 12, 2013, 10:32:33 PM
Almost looks as though it could be used to make butter!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on May 13, 2013, 06:58:36 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on May 12, 2013, 10:32:33 PM
Almost looks as though it could be used to make butter!

Terry

Don't give them any more ideas on how to wreck more phones!!! :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Rokumoncat on May 13, 2013, 07:29:54 AM
Does anyone here remember the seller on e-bay that had a beautiful three slot pay station from the late forties that some numbskull had put a cheesy lamp on on top of? That particular monstrosity really made me feel sick when I saw it as I yet to obtain my first paystation, let alone a truly vintage three slot unit.

A true waste.

R. Cat
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 26, 2013, 07:46:57 AM
The auction ended and this phone sold for $199.99 plus $37.99 shipping and it got 3 bids.

Nice shade, nice phone, mount damage not too bad, but is it worth $237? Must have been the shade. Or was it the AT&T faceplate?  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251276875247
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dsk on May 26, 2013, 07:51:29 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 12, 2013, 08:47:30 PM
Well, it's different, almost human, but, still a waste . . .  :-\

Insides of this 315H look good, as does the wood not bored out for legs and the lamp. Expensive parts lamp phone.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321125036988

7 day auction starting at $99 plus $17.50 shipping.
(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=52152;image)
Probably a noisy lamp, but when you get power-outs, its only to make your own power.  :D

dsk
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 26, 2013, 09:06:22 AM
Quote from: dsk on May 26, 2013, 07:51:29 AM
. . . to make your own power

I'd like to see that work, for more than a few seconds.

Went from "Item condition: Used "Old wiring is untested. Recommend rewiring." starting at $99.99 plus $17.39 shipping in the origninal ended auction TO a relisted BIN 25 day auction at $199.00 plus $17.39 shipping. Yeah, that will sell it . . .  :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190843471437
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on June 04, 2013, 04:15:31 PM
A nice AE lamp >:(

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370828171877
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 04, 2013, 05:29:07 PM
I like the Seller....on toast.  Porknbean!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 04, 2013, 06:55:22 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on June 04, 2013, 04:15:31 PM
A nice AE lamp >:(

I saw that lamp phone shortly after it was listed but not being familiar with older AE phones, didn't know if the base was indeed a desk set, so didn't post it here. Glad you did if it really was a phone once.

The handset certainly look old and original but the base, the bottom pads and the shape of the base was something I'd never seen before.

How much would that phone have gotten on eBay if it were not a lamp?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 05, 2013, 03:06:11 AM
I get that one mixed up all the time. AE 7 or AE 8?...Stub?

Probably only $60 to $80 tops without the lamp!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: zaphod01 on June 23, 2013, 08:38:15 AM
Here's a new one for you WE500 fans...

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 24, 2013, 01:41:07 AM
 I think those ebay items pretty much started this thread didn't they?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on June 24, 2013, 02:01:10 AM
Terry,
          It could be a AE-7 for central battery or a AE-19 for magneto service.  Some people should be :o ASHAMED :o of what they do to a poor old telephone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 24, 2013, 06:10:22 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on June 24, 2013, 01:41:07 AMI think those eBay items pretty much started this thread didn't they?

Terry, back from vacation?  :D or  :'(

Yes, that popular destructive version has been around this thread a few times. There is a black one on page 11, a spotted one on page 13, a white one on page 14 and a black one on page 16. And, a multi-line 565 on page 19.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 25, 2013, 02:00:55 AM
I am back now. Off the ship by 8 AM this morning and home at 9:15. Okay, these "phone lamps" didn't start this thread then. I didn't take the time to thoroughly research my comment as Internet on cruise ships is similar in price to Colored AE 40's and 50's!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 29, 2013, 08:30:29 PM
Here's a new variation on an old theme - sans transmitter this time.

Seller says: "VINTAGE CANDLESTICK PHONE LAMP AUTHENTIC WESTERN ELECTRIC KOOL !!!! "
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 29, 2013, 08:48:13 PM
Could be a "Statutory Bronze" lamp with a bit more work!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 04, 2013, 05:59:09 PM
This could have been worth the asking price what it not been lobotomized. This phone's exterior is in great condition. Who knows what's been done to the coin chute, et. al. inside.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141010204816

Seller says: "You are bidding on a Vintage Western Electric Bell Company 3-Slot Pay Phone Lamp, Circa 1950's.  This is truly a unique piece of history converted into a working Lamp.  It would look great in a mid century style home or in a Den or Game Room.  This is an authentic pay phone with all the original parts.  It is marked "Bell System Property" Not For Sale  Western Electric.  Shade not included due to the excessive phone weight during shipping, (the phone would crush the shade).   I do not have keys to the lock.  The pay phone weighs 31 pounds.   FREE SHIPPING."

Auction opening bid requested: $348.88 with FREE SHIPPING
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on July 04, 2013, 10:48:53 PM
For the price I suspect that it is going to continue to look great IN HIS:

mid century style home or in a Den or Game Room.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 21, 2013, 06:43:59 PM
This phone, according to the seller, is "Used" and it has been "Restored into a light." Looking at the first photo, it might be best to not plug it in, much less turn it on in its current condition.

The $200 asked starting bid is also shocking, IMHO.

Antique American Bell Company Candle Stick Phone, Restored Light Telephone 1900s

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231020129402
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on July 21, 2013, 07:34:41 PM
20B converted to a 20BC then into a lamp---still, they didn't mess with the perch so it could be unconverted. Not sure about the transmitter, though, or the hook switch contacts if they've switched 120VAC for the lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on August 09, 2013, 12:02:29 PM
And to think that I felt like I was destroying a phone by smearing Johnson Wax all over a freshly polished 500 shell :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 12:32:51 PM
This one makes my head hurt. The finger stop is strange but the dial seems legit. The colored caps are strange but the shell and handset look legit. Gnat bites to the plastic? Seems gutted since they say there is a light inside the shell (fire hazard?). No switch other than pulling the plug. Was/is this an ivory 302?

Seller says "This pink lamp is APPROXIMATELY 8 1/2" from base to top, and is meant for a little girl's room. It is plastic...and the cool thing about it is that it lights from both inside and on the top. Theres no on and off switch, so you must plug and unplug. The plastic is a bit faded with normal wear, no cracks, minor scratch on front near the dial and a few very minor gnat bites to the edge in the back."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231055112659

Seller wants at least $9.99 with $9.15 shipping.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 12:49:28 PM
BIN for $64.99 with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221281872706

Seller says "The rotary dial still moves smoothly. The handset is marked "Bell Systems". I believe this is a 202 black telephone which has been painted white. The light does work. The handset moves up and down on the pole.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 15, 2013, 02:07:12 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 12:32:51 PM
This one makes my head hurt. The finger stop is strange but the dial seems legit. The colored caps are strange but the shell and handset look legit. Gnat bites to the plastic? Seems gutted since they say there is a light inside the shell (fire hazard?). No switch other than pulling the plug. Was/is this an ivory 302?

Seller says "This pink lamp is APPROXIMATELY 8 1/2" from base to top, and is meant for a little girl's room. It is plastic...and the cool thing about it is that it lights from both inside and on the top. Theres no on and off switch, so you must plug and unplug. The plastic is a bit faded with normal wear, no cracks, minor scratch on front near the dial and a few very minor gnat bites to the edge in the back."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231055112659

Seller wants at least $9.99 with $9.15 shipping.

Look at the feet.  This is probably a 302 replica toy.  I have seen similar things, without the lamp part, at the flea market.  There is another listed now (item 390651262496).

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 02:41:23 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on September 15, 2013, 02:07:12 PMLook at the feet.  This is probably a 302 replica toy.  I have seen similar things, without the lamp part, at the flea market.  There is another listed now (item 390651262496).

Thanks, Larry.

Missed the one you saw. This one is in better shape by a long shot. So, what did they do, put a real number plate and finger wheel on a toy? The seller could have put up more photos that better described the phone, sorry, lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 15, 2013, 03:20:16 PM
I think that the entire dial is part of the toy.  The second one looks like its dial parts have fallen off.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 07:44:14 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on September 15, 2013, 02:07:12 PMLook at the feet.  This is probably a 302 replica toy.  I have seen similar things, without the lamp part, at the flea market.  There is another listed now (item 390651262496).

The seller responded to a request I made for a picture of the bottom and inside. Yes, it is just a lamp about 3/4 the size of a 302. Actually, if it didn't have that thing sticking up through the handset, this would make a nice night lamp, if it had an inline switch (easy to install). It was so close to a real 302 in design, it fooled me with the limited pictures first listed, but now I know and the seller has put up more pictures.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 15, 2013, 11:30:50 PM
Would be nice if all those creative minds would find an old bowling ball at the local thrift store to get that strong desire to drill something out of their systems . . .  :(

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121177117694

BIN for $32.99 plus $10.12 shipping.

Seller says "2. It has been 95% cleaned, but needs a detailed cleaning. 4. Antique telephone has been converted to a table lamp, the lamp works but the telephone part doesn't. 5. Phone is in overall very nice condition. Has maybe 7 or so specks of white paint on it, probably from when someone was painting their house. The dial still works. Phone slight signs of age and the paint isn't as shiney as it would have been when it was new."

CRPF Bumper sticker #1: "Drill a Bowling Ball, not a Phone!"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: baldopeacock on September 16, 2013, 12:24:10 PM
Do clock phones count?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-RETRO-TRIMLINE-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-Orange-Blue-PHONE-DIGITAL-CLOCK-Rare-/00/s/OTIwWDE1OTc=/z/1LgAAMXQ4YtSM8b4/$T2eC16JHJHMFHBNVZpWwBSM8b3nDcw~~60_57.JPG)

http://tinyurl.com/ppr2b8m (http://tinyurl.com/ppr2b8m)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 16, 2013, 04:22:45 PM
Quote from: baldopeacock on September 16, 2013, 12:24:10 PM
Do clock phones count?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-RETRO-TRIMLINE-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-Orange-Blue-PHONE-DIGITAL-CLOCK-Rare-/00/s/OTIwWDE1OTc=/z/1LgAAMXQ4YtSM8b4/$T2eC16JHJHMFHBNVZpWwBSM8b3nDcw~~60_57.JPG)

http://tinyurl.com/ppr2b8m (http://tinyurl.com/ppr2b8m)

I was JUST going to post that yesterday, but I thought it was off topic, so I moved on.  >:(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on September 16, 2013, 04:29:07 PM
Well this particular clock does produce light so I vote YES! Not an overly convenient clock arrangement though.

<edit> I take that back about being somewhat inconvenient. i assumed it was just posed like that for pictures and that it hung up like a normal trimline. Having looked at the listing I suspect it is glued in that "pose" so it is easier to see what time it is though taking a phone call might be a bit "inconvenient"!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 16, 2013, 04:37:38 PM
Are they supplying 120 VAC through the flat line cord :o  I wouldn't want that clock plugged in in my house.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 16, 2013, 07:15:00 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on September 16, 2013, 04:22:45 PMI was JUST going to post that yesterday, but I thought it was off topic, so I moved on.  >:(

There are a variety of items converted into lamps and other types of stuff in this topic. Since some of the "lamp phones" reappear, are re-listed, it gets confusing as to what has been and what hasn't been posted in the topic. People who own these atrocities keep trying to sell them, over and over and over. To that end, one of each of all of the "lamp phone" pictures from this topic have been compiled and can be seen at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/mydkrkh

Non-lamp phone pictures were not included in the compilation but always welcome in the topic.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on September 16, 2013, 09:19:15 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on September 16, 2013, 04:37:38 PM
Are they supplying 120 VAC through the flat line cord :o  I wouldn't want that clock plugged in in my house.

Larry

Larry: Nothing runs on AC power anymore! My guess is you have to open it up every couple of years to change the battery but that is only a guess. Therefore, if it were modified carefully by someone who knew wha the was doing, it could also be used as a phone for answering calls in the misle of the night as well. Oh wait a minute...no one has landlines anymore either...

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: baldopeacock on September 17, 2013, 07:20:32 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on September 16, 2013, 07:15:00 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on September 16, 2013, 04:22:45 PMI was JUST going to post that yesterday, but I thought it was off topic, so I moved on.  >:(

There are a variety of items converted into lamps and other types of stuff in this topic. Since some of the "lamp phones" reappear, are re-listed, it gets confusing as to what has been and what hasn't been posted in the topic. People who own these atrocities keep trying to sell them, over and over and over. To that end, one of each of all of the "lamp phone" pictures from this topic have been compiled and can be seen at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/mydkrkh

Non-lamp phone pictures were not included in the compilation but always welcome in the topic.

Oh, sweet Jesus.  #8 in the first set of pics.   Is that a murdered blue 302?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 17, 2013, 08:48:08 PM
Quote from: baldopeacock on September 17, 2013, 07:20:32 PMOh, sweet Jesus.  #8 in the first set of pics.   Is that a murdered blue 302?

The phone is cropped out of the original photo, which it and a close up are here:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg12326#msg12326

Yes, and with " LOVE "
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: baldopeacock on September 17, 2013, 09:20:19 PM
Makes a person wish they could find the assassin who perpetrated that atrocity, and show 'em what that blue 302 was worth before they mutilated the poor thing.

The look on their face would be some consolation.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 20, 2013, 11:13:12 PM
NOW IM MAD! >:(

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181219094189
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 21, 2013, 08:13:31 AM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on September 20, 2013, 11:13:12 PM
NOW IM MAD! >:(

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181219094189

They say it's an "Antique Genuine Phone". Well, it was...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Haf on September 23, 2013, 02:17:09 PM
A payphone lamp, first one I've seen. Originally it seems to be a WE 233 QF.

http://tinyurl.com/qfoqesj

Haf
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 23, 2013, 07:45:20 PM
There were two AE payphone lamps and only one WE payphone lamp already posted in this topic.

You can see them here

http://tinyurl.com/mydkrkh

as #'s 58, 61 and 67.

This one, now #72, makes it two WE spiked payphones.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8792.0
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 23, 2013, 07:47:20 PM
If it's any consolation, I have seen lamps made from antique electric toasters as well.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on September 23, 2013, 11:45:25 PM
I have a lamp here somewhere that I am going to turn into a phone!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Haf on September 24, 2013, 04:10:21 AM
It's a bad habit all over the world, they do it here too :(

http://tinyurl.com/qzdy8z4

AE-Collector wants to make new friends amongst lamp collectors, they love it when rare lamps are turned into phones ;)

Haf
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on September 24, 2013, 11:17:00 AM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on September 16, 2013, 04:37:38 PM
Are they supplying 120 VAC through the flat line cord :o  I wouldn't want that clock plugged in in my house.

Larry

No, Larry, you must be thinking of a Starlite!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on September 24, 2013, 03:41:22 PM
Do you guys mean something like this antique floor lamp turned into a phone?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=141065411943&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160#ht_3624wt_650

UPDATE:
This Rare phone was relisted, now at only $3,000.00 :o

Just learned on the lists that this was stolen from the phone collector who built it in 2003 along with some radios and tools. The member who knew the builder also knows the seller. It was purchased at a flea market close to where the builder lives.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on September 24, 2013, 06:49:34 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on September 24, 2013, 03:41:22 PM
Do you guys mean something like this antique floor lamp turned into a phone?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=141065411943&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:3160#ht_3624wt_650

That should teach them ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 12, 2013, 11:06:26 PM
Seller says it's a "Western Electric Cream-Colored 202 Non-Dial Telephone e/w LAMP." Being spiked, I don't think it can be called a telephone anymore.

$19.99 isn't bad for a painted parts phone, but the $25 shipping is a bit much. Wonder if asking the seller to cut the lamp off just above the handset would reduce the box size and shipping to about $12.00? 7 days to think about it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360764188521
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on October 13, 2013, 06:01:58 AM
Cut the lamp off, but keep the incandescent bulb, they'll be worth something in the next 10 years... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Andre91 on October 20, 2013, 09:53:05 PM
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTk5WDUwMA==/z/LTwAAMXQXTZRfFuQ/$%28KGrHqF,!rEFEKC,NhHkBRfFuP3,Cg~~60_57.JPG)

This thing is currently on eBay for $199...

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vtg-Antique-Western-Electric-Wood-Crank-Telephone-Lamp-Magneto-Ringer-Bell-Oak-/321147577759?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac5e3259f
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 20, 2013, 09:57:16 PM
What! That beauty hasn't sold yet?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 20, 2013, 10:13:24 PM
Quote from: Andre91 on October 20, 2013, 09:53:05 PM
This thing is currently on eBay for $199...

. . . for at least the 3rd, may be 4th time. It's been around for some time but for some reason never sells.  ;)

It's #063 in the -> Lamp Phone Atrocities <- (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/media/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities/049%20-%20072/064_zps50b37ab0.jpg.html?sort=4&o=14) gallery.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 21, 2013, 12:10:35 AM
Sad...just sad :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on October 21, 2013, 04:25:00 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on October 20, 2013, 09:57:16 PM
What! That beauty hasn't sold yet?
So, I guess it doesn't pay to put a lamp on a subset and stick some broomsticks in its adze! Go figure! Does that symbolize "The Rape of Ma Bell"?

There you go, its a piece of interpretive art! And it can't even call out for help.   :o

Dave
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on October 22, 2013, 06:31:35 PM
Quote from: DavePEI on October 21, 2013, 04:25:00 AMSo, I guess it doesn't pay to put a lamp on a subset and stick some broomsticks in its adze!

There's a type of small hatchet used for cutting and shaping wood inside that subset??? :o







(I learned that one (adze) from Home Improvement, not all american sitcoms are solely about the humour!! :D )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 22, 2013, 07:26:30 PM
Well, if anyone's interested, they could buy this item and turn it into a "just like it" lamp or buy the lamp above and turn it into a "just like it" magneto ringer subset . . .  ::)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281192072115
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on October 22, 2013, 07:31:35 PM
Now here's a thought, wire up the magneto to the lamp holder and there you have yourself a free energy device, you just have to keep turning it to keep it lit up... :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on October 27, 2013, 02:16:46 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on October 22, 2013, 07:26:30 PM
Well, if anyone's interested, they could buy this item and turn it into a "just like it" lamp or buy the lamp above and turn it into a "just like it" magneto ringer subset . . .  ::)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281192072115


Nothing else with this item TelePlay ?..
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 27, 2013, 03:19:04 PM
Quote from: Contempra on October 27, 2013, 02:16:46 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on October 22, 2013, 07:26:30 PM
Well, if anyone's interested, they could buy this item and turn it into a "just like it" lamp or buy the lamp above and turn it into a "just like it" magneto ringer subset . . .  ::)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281192072115

Nothing else with this item TelePlay ?..

That is the "before" phone item to this "after" lamp.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg109840#msg109840
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 02, 2013, 09:12:17 PM
While I don't post sticks that have the socket attached with a bracket (easily removed) and at a fair price (and there have been about 6 or so over the past month), this stick seems to have an altered cup mount with the price, well, a bit high even without the fixture at $399 BIN, even with free shipping in this just listed 30 day auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380761129103

You can see all the lamp phones posted in this topic -> Here <- (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities?sort=4&page=1)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 03, 2013, 09:43:38 AM
Another one coming to an end, a "Handmade Working Vintage Rotary Phone and Table Lamp" for a reasonable $115.95 BIN with Free Shipping. Seller states "A functional rotary phone as well as a lamp would be a great addition to a nightstand or table . Both style and function are married in this mid-century piece. This item is also great in an emergency, as the rotary phone will still work even if the power goes out in your home."

Okay, first, I wonder how that lamp pole is mounted. I don't think the plastic alone is sufficient to take the weight over time (could break out). No inside or bottom pictures provided. Second, you're on the phone talking to someone with a 120 VAC 10A unlimited service source less than an inch away from everything else phone related.  :-\

Looked like a nice mid-50s 500 before being drilled.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181117746919
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on November 03, 2013, 10:15:48 AM
Yes that will be handy when your VOIP box gives up in the power failure. I don't see the usual disclaimer if your service provider no longer accepts Dial Pulse either! Not a serious old phone reseller at all :)

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 10, 2013, 12:35:23 PM
This time a black 202 got drilled. Listing photos show nothing inside the base other than the electrical set up. Cheap parts phone, or a "unique" lamp for the show room.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301009350671
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on November 10, 2013, 03:13:31 PM
If you can get past the fact that it likely was converted to a lamp years ago and that is what saved it from the recycling back then, when nicely done they are a way to display another phone or two in rooms that "phones" are banned from. I have 2 AE40 lamps, an AE 50 lamp and an AE 1A lamp..so far...

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on November 10, 2013, 03:34:25 PM
Maybe you can just replace the drilled F-1 and find the innards for a nice manual
202. I have seen lots with the cradles snapped off, cheap parts phones. The body looks in good shape & a nice dial card in it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 10, 2013, 06:25:10 PM
It is mine. There is paint missing and no bottom. Got it with a group of 202s. I just couldn't throw it out. The dial card is quite cool. I'll stick it in the corner of the phone room if it does not sell. You know you want it!!!,,,,Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on November 10, 2013, 08:29:03 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on November 10, 2013, 03:34:25 PM
Maybe you can just replace the drilled F-1 and find the innards for a nice manual
202. I have seen lots with the cradles snapped off, cheap parts phones. The body looks in good shape & a nice dial card in it!

I may have asked before, but has anyone found a source for the 2 bushings (originally phenol) that guide the plunger, one at the top and one at the bottom?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 14, 2013, 03:14:47 PM
Here's a lamp that looks and works like a real WE 60's payphone! And at a payphone price to boot: $499 opening bid or BIN at $675 (shade not included and shipping is $78.50).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111216492191  EDIT: link dead as of 3-13-14

Okay, so if "THE FRONT COVER FOR THE COIN BOX IS MISSING," then why didn't the current owner drop a dime to see if the chute worked? The vault is open!  :-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on November 14, 2013, 03:44:39 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on November 14, 2013, 03:14:47 PM
Here's a lamp that looks and works like a real WE 60's payphone! And at a payphone price to boot: $499 opening bid or BIN at $675 (shade not included and shipping is $78.50).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111216492191

Okay, so if "THE FRONT COVER FOR THE COIN BOX IS MISSING," then why didn't the current owner drop a dime to see if the chute worked? The vault is open!  :-\
Well, the vendor states "1960'S ROTARY DIAL 3 SLOT COIN PAY PHONE LAMP WESTERN ELECTRIC BELL SYSTEM------IS IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION,HAS BEEN TESTED AND WORKS GREAT,HAS OLD TIME RINGER SOUND," therefore a ringer has been added - chances are extremely likely it has been installed in the location of the coin relay.

Dave
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 15, 2013, 08:17:42 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on November 10, 2013, 08:29:03 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on November 10, 2013, 03:34:25 PM
Maybe you can just replace the drilled F-1 and find the innards for a nice manual
202. I have seen lots with the cradles snapped off, cheap parts phones. The body looks in good shape & a nice dial card in it!

I may have asked before, but has anyone found a source for the 2 bushings (originally phenol) that guide the plunger, one at the top and one at the bottom?

Just in case anyone reads this first and has the same question or need, here are the two links you found to both the bushings and the insertion/removal tool. Thanks, poplar1.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10515.msg111690;topicseen#new


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: flhusa1 on November 19, 2013, 04:45:58 PM
i am thinking about finding a expensive antique tiffany lamp and installing phone parts in it. maybe make the light flash when it rings.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Matilo Telephones on November 19, 2013, 04:58:04 PM
 :D :D :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 07, 2013, 11:29:15 AM
This drilled stick just sold on eBay for $54 plus $11 shipping. The perch was untouched. The modification used to make it a lamp was to drill a hole in the top of the transmitter cup. This "WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY BRASS CANDLESTICK" was listed at $53, 2 bidders.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200996407222
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on December 07, 2013, 01:59:19 PM
$54 for this atrocity ! .. just the telephone okay but  for the lamp..... never mind !. ;). I would never buy it. of course this is my opinion

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 30, 2013, 01:41:41 PM
After the make-over (I had poor lighting conditions when taking the photo but you get the idea . . .)

Before: http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg111319#msg111319

It really is a FrankenLampPhone now but my wife likes it and it looks good on the desk. And being a "restored" lamp phone, it really isn't an atrocity anymore, is it?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on December 30, 2013, 01:56:18 PM
John...it came fantastic especially considering the condition it was in. What became of the Junior achievement WE dial card??....Great job....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 30, 2013, 02:03:09 PM
Quote from: Doug Rose on December 30, 2013, 01:56:18 PMWhat became of the Junior achievement WE dial card??

Doug, still have them. Repainted the blank and it would be on the phone if I hadn't come across that AE dial for cheap. When I decided to leave the base unpainted, that dial caught my eye. I may still put the blank with the JA card back on it some day to see which looks better, the black blank or the light dial. the D1 base is the cast metal, with a little polish on it. Fits the dial well be just looking at it now, I know the black blank would look just as good.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 31, 2013, 12:00:23 PM
Looks great John! But then I sort of like a lamp phone or two around the house.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 31, 2013, 01:48:34 PM
This is the first "Celebrity" to be reported in this topic. It's a mid to late 70s WE Design Line 940 "Celebrity" with D41-Gold trim (scroll down in this page from paul-f's (http://www.paul-f.com/weDesignLine.html) web site to see it without the lamp addition) on eBay right now at the BIN price of $49.99 plus $13.40 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281231469545

Seller says "This is truly a one of a kind phone. There was never one made like this. Somebody has added this cool desk lamp and it kinda makes me wonder why Western electric never did it!" Yeah, I wonder why?  ??? But the phone works and the seller is up front about the lamp saying "The phone itself works great and has nice sound. The lamp on the other hand was added by somebody and it should be considered non functional. I didn't wire it, There is no switch, and don't know that it was done correctly."

The base has a sticker which states the user only owns the housing and WE owns everything else as stated at paul-f's site was printed in the user manual: "The customer buys the housing and handset from the telephone company and the telephone company retains ownership of the transmission and signaling components."

This rotary phone is in great shape, except for the lamp modifications, and was I wondering how much of an "atrocity" do we see here. How rare is the "Celebrity" and what would it be worth unmodified in its condition?

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on December 31, 2013, 02:54:12 PM
Personally I do not consider any of the Design Line phones to be "Rare". I had  2 of that type I got for free during a Craigslist purchase. One had a trashed case and the other did not work. I harvested some parts from them and trashed both. Neither had the lamp option ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 01, 2014, 12:56:21 AM
Well, Harry, I guess it's unanimous. Turning a Design Line phone into a lamp is not an atrocity. Got to destroy something of rarity and/or value to be a legitimate atrocity. I'll put it into the lot of prior converted phones just because of the add on but as I suspected, no great loss, maybe even a gain, in that conversion . . .  ;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: the phone house on January 04, 2014, 07:22:55 PM
What else can they do? It has a Brown Trimline inside so the door will not close.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 04, 2014, 09:13:54 PM
It's going into the  --> collection <-- (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities) like this and I think the door won't close because the handset cord is hanging down. Looks like it would fit otherwise. Someone needs to buy it and report back . . .  ;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 26, 2014, 04:24:56 PM
Something different, twin bulbs on a stick. BIN $185 plus $23 shipping.

And the receiver has a noted defect.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281253629959

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on January 29, 2014, 06:41:19 PM
This one:ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301083872597) should not escape mention :o

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: old_stuff_hound on January 29, 2014, 09:29:23 PM
Poor Galion!

EDIT: just clicked the ebay link. $179?!?!?! And it used to have a straight-line ringer. What a shame.....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on January 29, 2014, 10:46:05 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on January 29, 2014, 06:41:19 PM
This one:ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301083872597) should not escape mention :o

Larry


:'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on February 12, 2014, 01:26:11 PM
I recently sold a Kellogg Ashtray phone, and the buyer converted it to a lamp.  Here's a before and after picture.  List price for the lamp is $400, which is about $360 more than the phone cost, so not a bad profit for the guy.  Actually doesn't look too bad.  The phone had a small chip, and no internals, so this isn't a horrible use for the phone.

http://www.jssculptures.com/

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 12, 2014, 01:28:34 PM
Quote from: wds on February 12, 2014, 01:26:11 PM
I recently sold a Kellogg Ashtray phone, and the buyer converted it to a lamp.  Here's a before and after picture.  List price for the lamp is $400, which is about $360 more than the phone cost, so not a bad profit for the guy.  Actually doesn't look too bad.  The phone had a small chip, and no internals, so this isn't a horrible use for the phone.

http://www.jssculptures.com/


Apparently no object is safe from this guy.

Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on February 12, 2014, 02:09:21 PM
wonder if he could turn my x-wife into a lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: LarryInMichigan on February 12, 2014, 02:24:28 PM
I used to know another guy with the same name also in Chicago, but he was in software, not "art".

Quote from: wds on February 12, 2014, 02:09:21 PM
wonder if he could turn my x-wife into a lamp.
Why don't you list her on ebay and see ;D


Larry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on February 12, 2014, 03:36:19 PM
Anyway we cannot say that this phone lamp is art at my sens.. noooo !! .. A phone is a phone and it serves for that. what is the interest in this guy? nothing otherwise to turn a phone into a lamp. My opinon?, it's a sacrilege  It is a sacrilege to the same title to upholster a phone..It is true that it takes to suit all tastes and for all kinds of people.  :-[



Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on February 12, 2014, 09:11:07 PM
Quote from: wds on February 12, 2014, 01:26:11 PMList price for the lamp is $400, which is about $360 more than the phone cost, so not a bad profit for the guy.

It's just a guesstimate but he may have around $100 in lamp parts in the creation but still a nice profit margin for his time, enough to pay his bail if ever arrested for creating that atrocity.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: mentalstampede on February 27, 2014, 11:02:44 AM
Wow! Some of the stuff in this thread really hurts my soul!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 19, 2014, 11:59:18 PM
Yet another drilled D1 to light up the world . . .  :(

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131171257357

The seller wants $185 BIN plus $16 shipping and said loudly of the phone: "UP FOR SALE IS THE REALLY COOL ANTIQUE WESTERN ELECTRIC DESK PHONE LAMP, THE GENTLEMAN WHO MADE THIS BACK IN THE DAY ACTUALLY WORK FOR THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.  THE LAMP IS WORKING CONDITION. THE PART THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULB NEEDS TO BE TIGHTEN. THE PHONE IS IN VERY NICE CONDITION. THE SHADE IS NOT ORIGINAL I ADDED IT AND IT COULD ALSO USE A LITTLE CLEANING. THE BACK OF THE PHONE STATES WESTERN ELECTRIC AND THERE IS A NUMBER ON IT AND THE BEST I CAN MAKE OUT IS D1.  A VERY NICE TELEPHONE LAMP."
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: BDM on May 05, 2014, 12:29:01 PM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on February 12, 2014, 01:28:34 PM
Quote from: wds on February 12, 2014, 01:26:11 PM
I recently sold a Kellogg Ashtray phone, and the buyer converted it to a lamp.  Here's a before and after picture.  List price for the lamp is $400, which is about $360 more than the phone cost, so not a bad profit for the guy.  Actually doesn't look too bad.  The phone had a small chip, and no internals, so this isn't a horrible use for the phone.

http://www.jssculptures.com/



Apparently no object is safe from this guy.

Larry

LOL... Guess not. He even has an engine timing gun lamp
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on May 05, 2014, 05:18:37 PM
Ugghhh, how about this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEAT-VINTAGE-COLLECTABLE-ROTARY-PAY-PHONE-AND-LAMP-LIGHT-IN-ONE-/261472778817?pt=Lamps_US&hash=item3ce0fdfa41
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: BDM on May 05, 2014, 05:28:43 PM
SACRILEGE! For us that cherish the telephone in all it's shapes sizes colors and sounds.................................................
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 22, 2014, 04:01:57 AM
Did they really have to put the RS toggle switch there?

And, it looks like this was a mouse hole punched upgrade, before the enlightening conversion.

Two people have bid it up to $6.49, started at $0.99, after 5 days in a 7 day auction.

Vintage-Green-Rotary-Bell-System-Phone-by-Western-Electric-Working-Lamp-Phone (http://www.ebay.com/itm/321526848615)

UPDATE - Sold with 6 bids for $23.88
Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 27, 2014, 05:08:30 PM
Currently on eBay, with 6 days left of a 7 day action, at an asked opening bid of $80 plus $12 shipping is this very nice, gold lamp (http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-BRIGHT-GOLD-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-PHONE-500-C-D-TELEPHONE-/131307348068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e92872064) someone converted to a telephone. Seller claims it is "From the estate of a long retired phone man , a nice but by no means perfect GOLD telephone. Please check out all photos in listing. Sold AS-IS. Handset and base have had holes drilled apparently for a lock of some sort or display mounting." so the seller must have picked it up after the conversion.

What's interesting is the converter seems to have put a ringer (with one gong, maybe?) into the phone and swapped out the power cord for a Silver Satin line cord. The black plug on the top of the handset was a nice touch matches the bezel and the handset cord. Great condition, the gold that is, but I wonder what's on the end of the line cord, a power or modular plug?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on September 27, 2014, 05:22:10 PM
That has been listed before, I remember looking at it a while ago. I thought about purchasing it just because the gold is so nice but I had the same reservation you did, I wonder whats inside? I like the plungers too.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 13, 2014, 07:25:07 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on September 27, 2014, 05:22:10 PM
That has been listed before, I remember looking at it a while ago. I thought about purchasing it just because the gold is so nice but I had the same reservation you did, I wonder whats inside? I like the plungers too.

It didn't sell at $80 plus $12 shipping so the seller re-listed it at $99.96 plus $12 shipping. That should do it, right?

RARE-BRIGHT-GOLD-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-PHONE-500-C-D-TELEPHONE (http://www.ebay.com/itm/131321461130)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 22, 2014, 11:25:00 PM
Can't beat this one as a true atrocity . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351203524243

This Lamp Phone is also the subject of a Special Auction Contest (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=12898.0), a contest just for fun, of course.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 04, 2014, 08:30:29 PM
Just when we, or at least I, thought we had seen all variants, this one pops up on eBay.

ANTIQUE TELEPHONE LAMP (http://www.ebay.com/itm/311160806959)

Listed at $9.95 plus $11.85 shipping in a 7 day auction.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WesternElectricBen on November 04, 2014, 10:20:27 PM
When ugly and terrible lives in perfect harmony... lol

Ben
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JimH on November 04, 2014, 11:56:27 PM
I think we should counter with making telephones out of lamps. ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 19, 2014, 07:42:14 AM
And this entry comes at the expense of what appeared to be a very nice 5302 . . .  :-\

BIN for just $75.00, including a brand new bulb.

Seller described it as "This is a vintage western electric telephone that has been turned into a lamp.  This is a really cool piece that is perfect for an office or den!  The lamp works as it should and does come with a brand new bulb!!! The insides of the phone are still in the phone so if someone wanted they may be able to get the phone to work as well, however I am not positive.  The phone does need a cleaning but I learned a long time ago if you don't know what you are doing don't touch it, so you will get it exactly as it looks in the picture. "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Western-Electric-Telephone-Lamp-Works-/111521858515
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on November 19, 2014, 07:49:29 AM
I'm definitely not a buyer for this kind of atrocity....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: JimH on November 21, 2014, 11:22:41 PM
Is this clever, or what?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on November 22, 2014, 12:14:53 AM
Hmmm.  Definitely interesting.  I have never seen one quite like it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 23, 2014, 07:41:21 AM
Seems no phone of any age is exempt from a "lite" conversion to a lamp phone.

<Automatic Electric 80E made from 1975 through about 1986>

Seller listed it as "GTE TELEPHONE W/LIGHT *PUSH BUTTON*" and said in the description, "THIS HAS NOT BEEN TESTED OR USED FOR OVER 10 YEARS! THIS HAD WORKED LAST TIME IT WAS USED."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171553466017

BIN for $14.99 plus $8.95 for wait for the auction to end and maybe get it for $8.99, for parts?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 27, 2014, 01:13:41 AM
Another shining example of a drilled upper, and a light tent. And, both the light and the dial work.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bell-System-Electric-3-Slot-Payphone-Lamp-With-Working-Dial-/161536603389

Starting at $79.95 plus $16 shipping.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on December 27, 2014, 10:55:00 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 27, 2014, 01:13:41 AM
Another shining example of a drilled upper, and a light tent. And, both the light and the dial work.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bell-System-Electric-3-Slot-Payphone-Lamp-With-Working-Dial-/161536603389

Starting at $79.95 plus $16 shipping.

Another atrocity.. mes ailleux !...Hello Teleplay ;).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 10:55:39 AM
Know what would be really bad? A mushroom phone with a light added. Think about it, :)

Ben
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on December 27, 2014, 11:02:28 AM
Quote from: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 10:55:39 AM
Know what would be really bad? A mushroom phone with a light added. Think about it, :)

Ben

From what you say, a mushroom phone with a light added is so different Ben,, this kind of phone is factored with a light. but the phone that teleplay shows, is an atrocity. ugly for me anyway :P... but I understand your view point . ;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 11:14:42 AM
Quote from: Contempra on December 27, 2014, 11:02:28 AM
Quote from: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 10:55:39 AM
Know what would be really bad? A mushroom phone with a light added. Think about it, :)

Ben

From what you say, a mushroom phone with a light added is so different Ben,, this kind of phone is factored with a light. but the phone that teleplay shows, is an atrocity. ugly for me anyway :P... but I understand your view point . ;)

Hi Denis,

Yes, the post was not intended as a reply, merely a thought.

Ben
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 27, 2014, 11:41:28 AM
Haven't posted this link for a few pages so if anyone wants to see all of the 94 phones posted above in this topic to date in all their shining glory, check out this link, which has now been updated.

Lamp Phone Atrocities (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on December 27, 2014, 01:53:09 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 27, 2014, 11:41:28 AM
Haven't posted this link for a few pages so if anyone wants to see all of the 94 phones posted above in this topic to date in all their shining glory, check out this link, which has now been updated.

Lamp Phone Atrocities (http://s1000.photobucket.com/user/CRPF/library/Lamp%20Phone%20Atrocities)


hmmmmmm!...I would give some of them in their original condition ..
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on December 27, 2014, 01:57:29 PM
Quote from: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 11:14:42 AM

Hi Denis,

Yes, the post was not intended as a reply, merely a thought.

Ben



No worries Ben ;). have a nice PM.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 27, 2014, 05:08:44 PM
Quote from: WesternElectricBen on December 27, 2014, 10:55:39 AM
Know what would be really bad? A mushroom phone with a light added. Think about it, :)

Ben

Wouldnt a mushroom phone with the mushroom light removed and discarded and a flexible gooseneck lamp say with a big bright halogen lamp in it attached where the mushroom lamp had been, be a big modern improvement?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on December 27, 2014, 05:24:49 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on December 27, 2014, 05:08:44 PM

Wouldnt a mushroom phone with the mushroom light removed and discarded and a flexible gooseneck lamp say with a big bright halogen lamp in it attached where the mushroom lamp had been, be a big modern improvement?

Terry
That's perhaps the first constructive idea in this thread.  :-* ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on February 10, 2015, 01:09:54 AM
Here's a very sad addition to this collection.

A white washed amputee that's been lobotomized and gutted, sad indeed.

RIP 233 which would have been 52 this coming fall (III-63).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221686743525
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on February 10, 2015, 08:01:37 AM
Hi Teleplay...This kind of pay phone is not my cup of tea but then to turn lamp, there are people who really do not know what to do with an old phone. That's why it's called atrocités..I never buy that kind of thing..;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NorthernElectric on March 08, 2015, 07:26:10 PM
 :'(

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on March 13, 2015, 12:14:51 PM
Quote from: NorthernElectric on March 08, 2015, 07:26:10 PM
:'(


Ugh, a 20-B at that!

How sad...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on March 28, 2015, 07:55:35 PM
Just listed at $50 with a BIN of $75 plus $15 shipping. 9 views and 1 watcher in the first hour, and it's still there.

Looks like a #2 dial with a notched number plate. Drilled bulldog among other issues with this stick. No shade, no bulb, few photos, shaby paint and who knows what else ? ? ? .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-telephone-light-/251896487795

Probably won't last long, then again . . .

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on March 28, 2015, 10:11:48 PM
SOLD!

Someone neededa #2 dial (wasn't me)

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on March 28, 2015, 10:23:58 PM
That went fast...

In reality, the only thing that was damaged was the transmitter cup, and that's easily fixable. The only other thing could be the Bulldog transmitter, and that's replaceable for $10.00.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on March 29, 2015, 02:10:54 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on March 28, 2015, 10:11:48 PM
SOLD!

Someone neededa #2 dial (wasn't me)

Terry
How much would a working #2 dial be worth? (Just curious.)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on March 29, 2015, 02:22:06 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on March 29, 2015, 02:10:54 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on March 28, 2015, 10:11:48 PM
SOLD!

Someone neededa #2 dial (wasn't me)

Terry
How much would a working #2 dial be worth? (Just curious.)
They go for around $100 in decent shape.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: paul-f on April 05, 2015, 08:31:33 PM
Here's a great bedside phone for a collector.   :o

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161662986816 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161662986816)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on April 25, 2015, 07:29:40 AM
Quote from: LarryInMichigan on January 29, 2014, 06:41:19 PM
This one:ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301083872597) should not escape mention :o

Larry

This one appears to be back on the market...

Jim

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: savageje on April 25, 2015, 11:28:04 AM
This thread is always rough on me. But I can't resist opening it up every time I see a new post....

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on April 27, 2015, 11:29:11 AM
Quote from: paul-f on April 05, 2015, 08:31:33 PM
Here's a great bedside phone for a collector.   :o

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161662986816 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161662986816)
I've been thinking about this phone. How cool would it be to install a '30s era light fixture to a candlestick scissors mount, but a candlestick wouldn't be attached at the same time? It would be interesting to mount a painted pipe to the clamp (or in this case, the four screws that attach to the phone stem), and mount the light to that!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on April 27, 2015, 02:24:37 PM
Quote from: savageje on April 25, 2015, 11:28:04 AM
This thread is always rough on me. But I can't resist opening it up every time I see a new post....


Me too When i see this kind of atrocities !. :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on May 13, 2015, 10:50:23 PM
Even the Three Stooges can't look at it.

http://tinyurl.com/kwtjjk3

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NorthernElectric on May 13, 2015, 11:19:53 PM
I almost p*ssed myself laughing when I saw that photo.  Thanks for that Fabius.  The phone is bad enough but the real atrocity here is the busts of Curly, Larry, and Moe.   ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 15, 2015, 06:22:24 PM
Nice phone, could be restored but at $200 BIN?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-CANDLESTICK-PHONE-CON-TO-LAMP-L403-/171790822990
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on May 15, 2015, 06:59:14 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 15, 2015, 06:22:24 PM
Nice phone, could be restored but at $200 BIN?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-CANDLESTICK-PHONE-CON-TO-LAMP-L403-/171790822990

At $200 bucks it should at least have a LED bulb.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on May 21, 2015, 10:42:41 AM
Telephones made into lamps are so much in demand and with the prices skyrocketing they are now making reproduction telephone lamps. So when you're buying your next telephone lamp be carefully.

http://tinyurl.com/lea8vz8

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on May 21, 2015, 10:49:35 AM
Quote from: Fabius on May 21, 2015, 10:42:41 AM
Telephones made into lamps are so much in demand and with the prices skyrocketing they are now making reproduction telephone lamps. So when you're buying you next telephone lamp be carefully.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/lea8vz8


That's weird looking!

BTW, your link isn't working.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 21, 2015, 06:31:44 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on May 21, 2015, 10:49:35 AM
BTW, your link isn't working.

It worked for me, took me to the eBay listing, which is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-12in-Wall-Mount-Wood-Phone-Lamp-and-Shade-/151688428255

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on May 21, 2015, 08:53:14 PM
No danger for me, i will not buy this kind atrocities even a reproduction.. yarkkkkkk !.. :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 06, 2015, 02:24:29 PM
Quote from: Fabius on May 21, 2015, 10:42:41 AM
Telephones made into lamps are so much in demand and with the prices skyrocketing they are now making reproduction telephone lamps. So when you're buying your next telephone lamp be carefully.

Well, it's still out there, for sale, in case you thought you might have missed it. But the seller seems confused. Original listing was $35 plus $15 shipping. First re-list was at $25 plus $15. Second re-list was at $25 plus 15. But the 4th re-list is a BIN at $45 plus $15 shipping or Best Offer.  :-\

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-12in-Wall-Mount-Wood-Phone-Lamp-and-Shade-/161726504519?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on June 06, 2015, 10:49:54 PM
QuoteWell, it's still out there, for sale, in case you thought you might have missed it. But the seller seems confused. Original listing was $35 plus $15 shipping. First re-list was at $25 plus $15. Second re-list was at $25 plus 15. But the 4th re-list is a BIN at $45 plus $15 shipping or Best Offer.  :-\


The seller just realized that the item is older now then when he first posted it and thus more valuable.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 08, 2015, 07:42:27 AM
Value must be in the unique bulb . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-rotary-phone-desk-table-lamp-w-retro-steampunk-Edison-bulb-mid-century-/301656509925
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on June 09, 2015, 07:07:16 PM
You could be right.  The long skinny shape of the bulb plus the way the filament is shaped does make it different from the other lamps.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 07, 2015, 12:08:29 AM
Haven't gone through the eBay listing for some time. Was surprised, well, not really, to have found 4 new, unique atrocities. Here's the first of four.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171785675913
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 07, 2015, 12:11:05 AM
The second.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311390664763

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 07, 2015, 12:13:53 AM
The third.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251939196132

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on July 07, 2015, 12:16:10 AM
The last of the four.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TELEPHONE-LAMP-Anthropologie-Vintage-Antique-Phone-Rare-Table-Lighting-/111705475516

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: DavePEI on July 07, 2015, 08:16:13 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on July 07, 2015, 12:16:10 AM
The last of the four.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TELEPHONE-LAMP-Anthropologie-Vintage-Antique-Phone-Rare-Table-Lighting-/111705475516 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TELEPHONE-LAMP-Anthropologie-Vintage-Antique-Phone-Rare-Table-Lighting-/111705475516)
Ohhh... I want one!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Ktownphoneco on August 07, 2015, 03:48:59 PM
We've all seen phones made into lamps, but this one is a new twist.    The subscriber set "porch light".    Link to list :  http://r.ebay.com/SznGtg
Item description says it needs rewiring because if it's plugged in it will give the person a "shock".     Can't understand why that would happen.

Jeff Lamb
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on August 07, 2015, 04:55:23 PM
Quote from: Ktownphoneco on August 07, 2015, 03:48:59 PM
We've all seen phones made into lamps, but this one is a new twist.    The subscriber set "porch light".    Link to list :  http://r.ebay.com/SznGtg
Item description says it needs rewiring because if it's plugged in it will give the person a "shock".     Can't understand why that would happen.

Jeff Lamb

I am sure some people will be shocked even without any electricity. :o :o
;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on August 07, 2015, 11:38:07 PM
My thoughts exactly. I found it shocking just looking at the picture on my iPad and it isn't my iPad at fault.....it runs on 5VDC.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RotarDad on August 08, 2015, 12:57:53 AM
This is clearly a very early version of a mushroom phone.  There was no dial to illuminate, so the entire part of the room near the phone was lit instead...... ;)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on August 08, 2015, 07:45:51 PM
Be careful what you say.  Someone might actually believe it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on September 14, 2015, 12:04:37 AM
I haven't added to this thread for a while, so here's one I came across.  That area code is for Portland, OR.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 14, 2015, 07:47:32 AM
Quote from: Ktownphoneco on August 07, 2015, 03:48:59 PM
We've all seen phones made into lamps, but this one is a new twist.    The subscriber set "porch light".

It sold for a whopping $0.99 with one bid plus $25 for shipping. I'm not sure the parts are worth that much, maybe.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 14, 2015, 08:15:59 AM
Quote from: Brinybay on September 14, 2015, 12:04:37 AM
I haven't added to this thread for a while, so here's one I came across.  That area code is for Portland, OR.
Ugh, it isn't even drilled on straight!!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on September 14, 2015, 01:32:56 PM
I wish someone would gift these artists some sticks and a pocket knife apiece.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: oyang on September 21, 2015, 11:57:27 PM
How about this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-CLOWN-CANDLESTICK-TELEPHONE-LAMP-LIGHT-/391258763898

Seller Description:  "GORGEOUS ANTIQUE ELECTRIC LAMP -- ANTIQUE VINTAGE CLOWN CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE LAMP LIGHT -- LIFT OFF THE HANDLE TO TURN ON LIGHT -- MADE FROM A TURN OF THE CENTURY CANDLE STICK / CANDLESTICK OLD FASHION PHONE TELEPHONE -- Sooooooo Cool -- BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE COLONIAL PRIMITIVE ARTS & CRAFT STYLE HAND PAINTED CLOWN ELECTRIC LIGHT / LAMP -- MADE FROM AN OLD WESTERN ELECTRIC TELEPHONE WHICH IS MARKED: -- WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY PAT. IN USA AUG. 16. 04  SEPT. 13. 04 JAN, 25 15 -- SHOW FANTASTIC WITH TOUCHES OF WEAR TO THE PAINT  -- ADDED LOTS OF PHOTOS TO SHOW HOW WONDERFUL THIS IS -- SUCH A RARE FIND! -- EDWARDIAN VICTORIAN STYLE PRIMITIVE PIECE -- LAMP MEASURES 7" x 5 3/4" x 23 1/4" TO THE TOP OF FINIAL -- 14 1/2" TALL TO TOP OF SOCKET -- 74" CORD -- REMOVE HAND SET FROM THE LEVER TO TURN ON ..PLACE IT BACK ON "HANG - UP" TO TURN OFF...JUST TOO CUTE!!! -- WORKS GREAT! -- NO BULB INCLUDED. -- TAKES REGULAR SOCKET SIZE BULB"

-----------------------------

EDIT:  Link shortened. Seller description and images added for long term forum posterity
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on September 22, 2015, 12:02:39 AM
 ???
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on September 22, 2015, 12:20:55 AM
Quote from: oyang on September 21, 2015, 11:57:27 PM
How about this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-CLOWN-CANDLESTICK-TELEPHONE-LAMP-LIGHT-/391258763898?hash=item5b18d6f27a
That's pretty creepy.

What scares me even more is what gruesome, horrifying throughts must be going through the head of whoever painted that thing!!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: oyang on September 22, 2015, 01:13:40 AM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on September 22, 2015, 12:20:55 AM
Quote from: oyang on September 21, 2015, 11:57:27 PM
How about this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-CLOWN-CANDLESTICK-TELEPHONE-LAMP-LIGHT-/391258763898?hash=item5b18d6f27a
That's pretty creepy.

What scares me even more is what gruesome, horrifying throughts must be going through the head of whoever painted that thing!!

What about the poor child haunted by it? Looks like something out of Twilight Zone. By the way I've been noticing a lot of classic phones on that show....:
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 22, 2015, 07:53:39 AM
Quote from: oyang on September 21, 2015, 11:57:27 PM
How about this:

This clown lamp phone was listed on eBay in December of 2012 but that link is now dead so I don't know what the BIN price was. From the link below, it was stated that the phone was selling BIN for $190 including shipping. So, same phone, same seller, same description and same images.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg90278#msg90278

Could be that this phone could give the pink mushroom a run for its money as being on eBay the longest, if the mushroom ever sold.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on September 26, 2015, 09:04:55 AM
Something new, but in use, of limited value (when mounted on a wall) and could harm the wall as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Wall-Kitchen-Phone-Repurposed-To-A-Wall-Accent-lamp-Md-Century-/161838696375

Seller description"Vintage wall or kitchen phone handmade repurposed into a lamp. The earpiece lamp handle is flexible and can be adjusted to desire position. The electric cord is in purposed noticeable to simulate the telephone cord line, like it was back in the day. Include the light bulb. Also have  a on and off switch on the electric cord.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on September 26, 2015, 09:26:59 AM
Looks like each of those bulbs would melt the handset ends and at least make a nice mess if not a fire hazard. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 05, 2015, 02:18:29 AM
Looks like a painted shell and an over engineered industrial strength bulb socket in the receiver. I think this is the first 2500 I've seen converted, but I may be wrong on that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-REAL-phone-desk-table-lamp-w-retro-steampunk-Edison-bulb-mid-century-/252111571858
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 10, 2015, 10:42:56 PM
Another variation on a recurrent theme.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281824111167

Is this a repro, or not? Seller states it is an "American Tel & Tel candlestick phone lamp; model 337.  Lamp on and off by removing ear piece from hook.  20 inches tall.  Phone cord is frayed but intact.   Overall very good condition."

Starting bid was set at $50, with a reserve set by the seller . . . ?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 10, 2015, 10:55:57 PM
This poor phone could have been a nice restoration project.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301763637511

Seller describes it as "OLD 1907 WALL MOUNT WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. TELEPHONE~TYPE 293A OAK BOX~CONVERTED TO LAMP"

A lot more photos on eBay.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on October 11, 2015, 11:13:13 AM
This may not be a recent conversion.  How long has it been since lamps had cloth covered electrical cords?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 11, 2015, 12:19:15 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on October 11, 2015, 11:13:13 AM
This may not be a recent conversion.  How long has it been since lamps had cloth covered electrical cords?

Probably not, based on the lamp part's corrosion, but cloth covered lamp power/line cords are readily available from many sources in many braid styles, fabrics, patterns, colors and wire gauges (in 1, 2 or 3 conductor versions). Here's one site, for example

http://www.sundialwire.com/

People do restore lamps, make new lamps and need cloth covered wire for other reasons, more uses for these than phone line and handset cords (which the power cord wired most likely would not work, be too stiff and be the wrong diameter). However, they do offer free samples if anyone want to check it out.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on October 11, 2015, 12:24:38 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on October 11, 2015, 11:13:13 AM
This may not be a recent conversion.  How long has it been since lamps had cloth covered electrical cords?

Good observation.  However, I would say that many or most conversions perhaps happened not terribly recently anyways, because these boxes have not exactly been plentiful to most for some time, unlike some decades ago when the phone companies used bull dozers and other heavy equipment on their yards to move dismantled installations into freight trains and trucks to the dumps, smelters, or furnaces.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on October 13, 2015, 10:08:34 AM
One more...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301570413520

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 20, 2015, 07:53:21 PM
Here's another wall phone lamp, and I really wonder how useful, practical and safe this one would be.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1907-WALL-MOUNT-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-CO-TELEPHONE-TYPE-293A-OAK-BOX-CONVERTED-2-LAMP-/291595054641

Finding a lamp shade would be a challenge and the wall side would be so close to the wall that a 60 watt bulb would damage the wall, if not char it to smoking. I suppose a very small wattage bulb with a unique shade might work but as what, a night light? I just don't get these wall phone lamps.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 27, 2015, 11:49:52 PM
Another one (two in a row),  but a nicer one,  but a more expensive one - even for a parts phone.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Kellogg-Chicago-Oak-Crank-Wall-Mount-Telephone-Lamp-Early-1900s-/171980127166

At least this one is made to stand on a table top rather than burn the wall. But, seems this would have been  better left as a phone than a lamp, which won't easily tip with the 4 bar magneto still in it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 31, 2015, 07:25:42 PM
Another 302 goes up in light . . .

That's one heck of a lamp shade, a bit large or out of proportion to the phone. Wonder if they put lead weights in the base or if that is a metal shell?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1940s-or-50s-UPCYCLED-ROTARY-TELEPHONE-DESK-LAMP-BLUE-FREE-SHIPPING-/191727632676

A bit high in price even for " . . .  one cool phone."
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on October 31, 2015, 07:50:35 PM
Take a nice phone, modify it to be worth $5, then hawk it for $179.  Chutzpah is not a design essential.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on October 31, 2015, 10:01:44 PM
Many of the 302 lamp sets were Jr Achievement projects .The guts were left inside but coils were destroyed with a sharp object.The dial sometimes actuated a push button  switch to turn the lamp off or on
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on November 01, 2015, 11:48:18 AM
The shade must be really big.  The seller is shipping it in a separate box!    Worst case, one of the boxes will get lost and the buyer will end up with a very expensive lampshade!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 09, 2015, 08:45:31 AM
Something different, or a variation a theme.

It's starting at only $0.99, with a reserve price . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Style-Steampunk-Desk-Lamp-Antique-Telephone-Artist-Marlow-Yancey-/181922729904
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 09, 2015, 10:28:34 AM
I'll wager the reserve won't be realized.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NorthernElectric on December 16, 2015, 03:54:53 PM
Here's one on ebay ending in 2 days.  Added lamp paraphernalia has been removed but the ground perch and gutted transmitter testify to it's lamp heritage.  It has 26 bids and was up to $76 with 2 days left to go at the time of this post.  I hope the successful bidder knows what they are buying.

ANTIQUE 1918 NORTHERN ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/381486965499)

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on January 08, 2016, 01:40:49 PM
Found this one online, they want $125.00 USD for it.

The info they gave.

Soviet Rotary Phone Lamp

Rather than let vintage rotary phones collect dust, we like to rescue them from estate sales and flea markets, wire them up, and turn them into slick little lamps.

In this case, you're looking at a Soviet-era phone that we bought from an antique collector in Ukraine. We're not totally sure how old it is, but estimate that it is a late 70s, early 80s model. We took out the phone's innards, installed two 25w bulbs in the handset, and added an on/off switch to the cord to transform it into a quirky little accent light.

This is a great piece of history—and it looks completely different than any of the American phones that come out of the same era.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Buzby on January 08, 2016, 08:08:46 PM
Quote from: Autonut on January 08, 2016, 01:40:49 PM
Rather than let vintage rotary phones collect dust, we like to rescue them from estate sales and flea markets, wire them up, and turn them into slick little lamps.

How is that rescuing a phone?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on January 09, 2016, 12:44:08 PM
Obviously, those who create the lamp phones believe that by turning a phone into a lamp they are keeping it out of the landfill and therefore are rescuing it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on January 09, 2016, 01:51:09 PM
Yet again another telephone lamp for sale.

antique-telephone-art (http://www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectibles/oakville-halton-region/antique-telephone-art/1060207003)

Doug

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 09, 2016, 01:55:51 PM
Someone needs to make a lamp into a telephone.  That would drive 'em crazy.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on January 09, 2016, 11:30:19 PM
Quote from: Autonut on January 09, 2016, 01:51:09 PM
Yet again another telephone lamp for sale.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectibles/oakville-halton-region/antique-telephone-art/1060207003?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true (http://www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectibles/oakville-halton-region/antique-telephone-art/1060207003?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true)

Doug

Finally a lamp capable of producing its own AC power!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Buzby on January 09, 2016, 11:46:44 PM
I'll take the handset cord for $15
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on January 10, 2016, 03:42:18 PM
A lamp phone with a working magneto could indeed produce its own power!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: oyang on January 11, 2016, 10:50:45 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on January 09, 2016, 01:55:51 PM
Someone needs to make a lamp into a telephone.  That would drive 'em crazy.

I found this dusty old lamp and saved it by removing its innards, drilling some holes in the base and shade, and turning it into a working phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Phonesrfun on January 11, 2016, 11:18:15 PM
That's a pretty shady deal, if you ask me.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 11, 2016, 11:18:44 PM
Lovely! ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on January 12, 2016, 01:55:09 AM
You would make the Tiffany and Co proud........ :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: oyang on January 12, 2016, 02:34:28 AM
Quote from: Autonut on January 12, 2016, 01:55:09 AM
You would make the Tiffany and Co proud........ :)

Or make them recoil in horror...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Babybearjs on January 12, 2016, 04:14:51 AM
YUCK! a stained glass phone lamp....how horrid!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 15, 2016, 07:53:45 AM
Something different . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1913-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-353W-CANDLESTICK-PHONE-W-RINGER-BOX-MADE-INTO-LAMP-/201503867896

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Buzby on January 15, 2016, 09:31:37 AM
Why ruin one thing when you can ruin two?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Buzby on January 19, 2016, 06:46:00 PM
Here's a sunken Galion for only $179.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Folk-Art-North-Electric-Co-Bakelite-Phone-Light-B0-/301083872597
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RotarDad on January 19, 2016, 10:56:47 PM
Just found this on Ebay - new lamp conversions are still being promoted by at least one seller.........

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291660138279

The seller's description includes the following:

"Vintage Bell System 60's Western Electric payphone...for a table top....bar top...or make a lamp out of it..."
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on January 20, 2016, 04:39:49 PM
The last thing the lamp phone people need is encouragement!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 20, 2016, 04:54:42 PM
A person can make a lamp from a Frito and an alligator clip and a match.  Why do they have to drag a telephone into it?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 20, 2016, 08:08:27 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on January 20, 2016, 04:54:42 PM
A person can make a lamp from a Frito and an alligator clip and a match.  Why do they have to drag a telephone into it?

. . . and a few other things as well. On a recent visit to an antique mall, I spotted these 3 gems . . .

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NorthernElectric on January 20, 2016, 11:01:20 PM
I especially like the jar-o-buttons lamp.  I guess they picked all the good buttons out of it before they lamped it because it's only half full.   ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 22, 2016, 07:44:54 PM
A first for this topic - another something different and the on/off switch is in the transmitter's mouthpiece. But, it seems to need a bit of work.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-1906-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-HAND-CRANK-TELEPHONE-LAMP-COPPER-BRASS-/231822741166
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Nick in Manitou on January 22, 2016, 09:32:40 PM
A stake through the heart! :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Greg G. on January 24, 2016, 10:48:00 PM
Hmm, well, it's just parts, and I'm going to be nice and say it was probably a scout project of some sort.  It'll be interesting to see if it sells.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on January 25, 2016, 03:12:35 PM
Not a project somebody built but there was a company that built these along with transparent sets.Built with ITT parts.The missing lamp globe might have said "Bar"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 25, 2016, 03:18:36 PM
Found one!  I'm on my phone, so a link

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Candlestick-Telephone-Lamp-Light-Working-Western-Electric-Bell-Phone-/291663981010?nav=SEARCH
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on January 25, 2016, 05:32:39 PM
But that is a lamp that somewhat resembles a telephone.Nothing Western Electric here.Bad case of key word spamming
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on January 25, 2016, 06:04:15 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on January 25, 2016, 03:18:36 PM
Found one!  I'm on my phone, so a link

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Candlestick-Telephone-Lamp-Light-Working-Western-Electric-Bell-Phone-/291663981010?nav=SEARCH

I have owned some of these lamps in the past 2 black and 1 white).They had been part of a collection of real phones and I had 2 of them in an antique mall and 1 @ home. The lamp got so hot that I checked the others and decided it was a design flaw. I ended up cutting off the power cords and threw all 3 lamps away.  I feel they are a fire/burn hazard. They get very, very hot.

Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 25, 2016, 06:54:50 PM
Sorry about that.  Those postage stamp size pics cross me up. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 25, 2016, 11:45:56 PM
Another lobotomy. Was a nice phone . . . , might be a good price for parts, maybe.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RED-TELEPHONE-LAMP-/121875843889
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on January 26, 2016, 09:48:09 PM
The little flower over the dial card is a nice touch!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 26, 2016, 09:51:05 PM
Piqua, Ohio is the birthplace of Buster Keaton.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: jsowers on January 26, 2016, 10:04:54 PM
Did anyone notice the shade is sitting right on the light socket? So does the bulb go above the shade or does the shade sit precariously on top of the bulb? Maybe it would work OK if you used a flame shaped bulb? Very odd.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 26, 2016, 10:58:38 PM
Quote from: jsowers on January 26, 2016, 10:04:54 PM
Did anyone notice the shade is sitting right on the light socket? So does the bulb go above the shade or does the shade sit precariously on top of the bulb? Maybe it would work OK if you used a flame shaped bulb? Very odd.

Could it be the shade as shown is upside down so in correct use, the bulb would be inside the up turned white shade? Might be the seller's error when taking the picture. I did a quick mock up of the shade in the up position. This way the on-off switch on the socket would be accessible.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Buzby on January 27, 2016, 06:42:13 PM
"If ye want to kill a phone, ye need to stab it right through the transmitter"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kellogg-Candlestick-Telephone-FOR-Parts-OR-FIX-UP-1901-/371537276548

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kellogg-Candlestick-Telephone-FOR-Parts-OR-FIX-UP-1901-/371537276548?hash=item568158ee84:g:Io8AAOSw5dNWoCBZ)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 27, 2016, 07:27:16 PM
I like your picture titles!  :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on January 27, 2016, 08:14:12 PM
That "Kellogg " stick in the last auction is a Chicago/Montgomery W/ Sears stick with a Late SC capsule rec.The cup can be replaced or turned hole down to hide it
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 27, 2016, 09:21:03 PM
Quote from: rdelius on January 27, 2016, 08:14:12 PM
That "Kellogg " stick in the last auction is a Chicago/Montgomery W/ Sears stick with a Late SC capsule rec.The cup can be replaced or turned hole down to hide it

Was it worth $52 ($45 plus shipping) and if so, what parts are of value?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on January 28, 2016, 01:37:15 PM
I would think it was worth it but just barely.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on February 01, 2016, 10:35:48 PM
Quote from: jsowers on January 26, 2016, 10:04:54 PM
Did anyone notice the shade is sitting right on the light socket? So does the bulb go above the shade or does the shade sit precariously on top of the bulb? Maybe it would work OK if you used a flame shaped bulb? Very odd.

Yes, the shade in that eBay listing was placed on the bulb socket upside down. But when placed on the socket correctly, it shows the harp attachment just below the socket meaning the opal milk glass shade shown was not the shade ever used or even intended to be used with that lamp. Interesting.

BTW, the phone was gutted, except for the dial. Even the network was taken out. Here is the before photo.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on February 16, 2016, 05:17:41 PM
Abuse is wide spread. Telephone aren't the only ones abused.

http://tinyurl.com/hvqyolt
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 03, 2016, 04:10:27 AM
Something a bit different in that both old phone and old phonograph collectors can cry over this "lamp" thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steampunk-Lamp-Industrial-antique-telephone-victrola-lighting-Wall-Sconce-/331815733302

But maybe some are getting the message, through these posts or other ways, as noted in the last line of the seller's description.

"Steampunk / Retrotech Wall Sconce. By "Professor Wolff". Unique , one of a kind,  No others like it . Every Professor Wolff creation is different Made from rare antique parts from victorola phonograph, antique telephone ,and other parts Reproduction Edison bulbs. Reproduction antique twisted AC cord. Antique plug. Sockets will take regular or 3 way bulbs Incandescent only. Built in dimmer. Faucet type valve handle on side controls brightness. NO antiques were destroyed making this item. Parts were found as parts, or salvaged from non restorable pieces"
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on April 03, 2016, 08:30:40 AM
It astounds me that there are people who find these things appealing enough to cobble them together or even more amazing want to have them in their house.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on April 04, 2016, 05:19:04 PM
I think that "Professor Wolff" needs to invest in some basic tools such as a ruler to use when laying out his creations. No matter what sort of ill-conceived idea it is, I think having things centered and evenly spaced allways gives something a professional look as opposed to a DIY Look by someone who appears to not have a clue what they are doing.

The thing just looks rediculous. One arm facing up and one down. Says "Incandescent Bulbs Only" and "Built in Dimmer". Yet, aren't those the "new fangled" LED bulbs that look Old?

Now let's talk electrical code. NO phone lamps would likely be "approved" since not inspected and tested by UL/CSA but the two AE40 Lamps that I use have been rewired with 3 conductor grounded AC cords that ground the dial frame, baseplate and hookswich frame. Judging by the looks of this (insert name of whatever it is here), I doubt any of the metal is grounded and who even knows if it has a polarized plug and if so, is it wired correctly.

I think I would be afraid to sell something like this claiming to be the creator in the listing. One electrocution and the seller might be more than "Out of Business". Just my random thoughts...

-----------------

Here is My FrankenLamp. I bought it on eBay quite a few years ago for something in the $50-$75 range. I kind of like some of the lamps and I liked the fibreglass shade that came with this one.

I think it is all AE except for the dial, a 2 something or other dial I guess. Notched number plate though and an unmarked outside mounted finger stop. I guess the brass housing could be WECo as well? To me these brass bases for AE and WE look pretty similar to each other. It does have the brass bushing around the cord exit hole which might be more WECo than AECo and it has a base plate that seems more WECo than AECo to me with the snap ring inside to hold the felt in place rather than a rubber ring like AE's usually have.

It is interesting that someone put holes into both of the AE 38 handset transmitter and receiver rings, maybe so the tool for WECo E handsets could be used to help remove the rings?

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on April 04, 2016, 09:54:49 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on April 04, 2016, 05:19:04 PM

I think it is all AE except for the dial, a 2 something or other dial I guess. Notched number plate though and an unmarked outside mounted finger stop. I guess the brass housing could be WECo as well? To me these brass bases for AE and WE look pretty similar to each other. It does have the brass bushing around the cord exit hole which might be more WECo than AECo and it has a base plate that seems more WECo than AECo to me with the snap ring inside to hold the felt in place rather than a rubber ring like AE's usually have.


WE dial bases have patent dates on the rim -- usually on the front, but sometimes on either side or on the back. Also, the angle of the dial on WE bases is smaller, making it perhaps more difficult to use, compared to the AE and NE bases.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on April 05, 2016, 12:30:02 AM
Ahhh, yes now that you mention it, I think it does have patent dates around the bottom edge. I Should have thought of that, AE bases never had that. I will have to take another look at it. Makes sense as it seems to be a WECo base plate as well. So they used an AE cradle and handset for some reason. I always assumed it was all AE except for the dial which the person who put this together may have used because he just happened to have a WECo brass cased dial on hand.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on April 05, 2016, 12:48:50 AM
Terry, it looks more like an AE base in the photos -- taller and fatter than WE.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 14, 2016, 10:34:10 AM
Here's a #6 dial and 4 rough condition 302 feet for $145, but with free shipping . . .

Had a nice shell and handset at some point in time.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 14, 2016, 11:40:20 AM
And then there is this waste of what once was a very nice D1 with an E1 handset . . .
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 14, 2016, 11:59:13 AM
I dislike telephone lamps ,however, I do buy them if cheap and use them in my phone room as...lamps. I will rewire them if  they are dangerous (original cord as the lamp cord, 110 thru the hookswitch ect.). I prefer a 3 way socket with a turn switch on the socket when I use them. I also use lighted payphone signs for lighting.
Jim S.

As far as the recent D1 w E1 I noticed it has a white house dial center.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 14, 2016, 03:38:39 PM
Quote from: Jim S. on May 14, 2016, 11:59:13 AM
I dislike telephone lamps ,however, I do buy them if cheap and use them in my phone room as...lamps.

I agree!

I will never make a lamp phone but will buy them cheap if I think they will look good after stripping paint, all new electrics with a switched socket and polarized power cord and a new shade. Here are two sitting on my desk (the one on the right now has a dial and the one of the left now has a base plate).

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6020.0;attach=137341;image)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on May 14, 2016, 08:57:32 PM
I also have a three candlestick lamps in my phone room. I did not make them lamps, but they serve the purpose. You have to see the phones in the room when the sun goes down....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on May 31, 2016, 03:41:34 PM
Now here is an odd take on the phone/lamp melding. A cell phone built to be a lamp.....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on June 09, 2016, 11:58:35 AM
Ran across this one on eBay...

To quote the seller: THIS ITEM IS ONE OF A KIND MULTI LINE TELEPHONE LAMP IN  GOOD WORKING CONDITION

My response is: Wrong! I somehow bet that it won't work as a 5 line 10A2 phone any more...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on June 09, 2016, 05:50:32 PM
He may only be making that claim because it has a compact flourescent bulb!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on June 11, 2016, 12:55:04 AM
Quote from: compubit on June 09, 2016, 11:58:35 AM
My response is: Wrong! I somehow bet that it won't work as a 5 line 10A2 phone any more...

Well, it never was an (AE) 10A2 phone but point taken and I agree, chances are pretty good that it no longer works properly as a phone. It is (was) an early AE 87 3 line / 3 hold phone with all clear buttons. The only give away that it is Not an AE 86 10A1/2 AKT phone is the signal key that was supplied only on 87 sets.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 11, 2016, 09:31:17 AM
Another Junior Achievement masterpiece . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Telephone-Phone-Lamp-Rare-A-Junior-Achievement-Co-Bell-System-Western-/122012270551

     . . . and it appears to be a metal shell on top of that. Not much achievement here.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on June 11, 2016, 03:41:56 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on June 11, 2016, 12:55:04 AM
Well, it never was an (AE) 10A2 phone but point taken and I agree, chances are pretty good that it no longer works properly as a phone. It is (was) an early AE 87 3 line / 3 hold phone with all clear buttons. The only give away that it is Not an AE 86 10A1/2 AKT phone is the signal key that was supplied only on 87 sets.

Terry
Thanks for clearing up the model number - I hadn't seen one without the red buttons (until this weekend in Lancaster). Still sadness...

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: EdTel on July 03, 2016, 12:10:29 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 14, 2016, 11:40:20 AM
And then there is this waste of what once was a very nice D1 with an E1 handset . . .
Good grief, that's just sad..
(//)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 06, 2016, 01:56:23 PM
Quote from: EdTel on July 03, 2016, 12:10:29 AM
Good grief, that's just sad..


. . . and on that theme, of just so sad . . .

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=144479;image)

. . . there is this one on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Western-Electric-202-Rotary-Telephone-Repurposed-Lamp-One-of-a-Kind-/131900481401

Now, if the seller just restored an existing atrocity, I'd have to say nice job. A bit high in the asking price but a nice looking phone and shade.

But, if it was the seller who drilled the handset and most likely stripped the inside, they should be charged . . . and committed.

One less D1/E1 in the world, either way.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on August 07, 2016, 12:24:20 AM
Even worse is the new Bell logo... At least put the correct logo for the time period of the phone!

Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on August 07, 2016, 12:54:45 AM
I hope it retains it's title as one of a kind.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 07, 2016, 08:22:01 AM
Quote from: 19and41 on August 07, 2016, 12:54:45 AM
I hope it retains it's title as one of a kind.

. . .  while that specific creation is a one of a kind, as a group it is at least four of a kind, unfortunately  . . . and never any more, we hope.

A quick run through this topic's pages for D1/E1 creations show these two from page 40 of this topic

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=141927;image)

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=145795;image)

and these two from page 16

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=82223;image)

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=75054;image)

and the D1/E1 distant cousins from pages 24 and 39

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=73104;image)

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=73407;image)

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=139857;image)

. . . sad, very sad indeed, Number One.

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1000.0;attach=144479;image)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on August 07, 2016, 08:58:08 AM
It seems such a waste when you consider that one could make a lamp on a small pedestal where a phone could be placed as a display, even in a working state.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on August 07, 2016, 12:30:03 PM
That Ivory type 34 makes me feel sick...

I once saw someone trying to sell a 'refurbished' type 34 that was PAINTED WHITE! They thought they would increase the value by painting it instead of keeping it that 'boring ol' black'! >:(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on August 29, 2016, 12:40:12 AM
Here's and Automatic Electric step base candlestick from a local estate sale.  I bought the other of the matching pair, but it hadn't been painted white yet, though it had a hold drilled through the transmitter to mount the socket, and some of the wiring replaced with lamp cord.  I should be able to turn it back into a phone.  If these hadn't been converted into lamps, they probably would have ended up as scrap metal.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 27, 2016, 05:07:00 PM
What a waste! Someone drilled a solid ivory F1 handset, to make a lamp. What were they thinking?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222173765406

Gutted D1 with a drilled handset . . .  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on October 27, 2016, 06:17:28 PM
Every Phone room needs a lamp!! Or two....just saying!....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on October 27, 2016, 07:59:48 PM
It would not surprise me that the WE sets were Jr Achevement projects.Bell got rid of old sets and they were not useable as telephones anymore
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on October 27, 2016, 08:28:46 PM
Nothing like a collectible phone in otherwise great shape with a hole drilled through the most valuable part...


I remember back in 7th grade, my friend and I were going through boxes of parts in a classroom after school while we waited to be picked up. Our grade was participating in "Take Apart Art" projects, where groups of kids would take apart one donated appliance (computers, TVs, radios, clocks, etc) and use the parts to make a piece of artwork. The point of the project was learning how thinks worked, as well as being creative.

The boxes we were looking through were the remains of donated appliances after 7th graders went through them, before they were turned into art projects. I reached into one box, and pulled out a solid-center fingerwheel. This was 2 years before I became interested in the hobby, so I didn't rifle through the rest of the boxes to find the rest of the phone, but the possibilities of what it could have been were endless. I suspect it was probably a late-model ITT, but it could have even been an early Princess, Kellogg Mushroom, or even a rare phone that fingerwheel didn't belong on.

I guess we'll never know...  ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on November 06, 2016, 08:22:53 PM
Another example to remind us that telephones are not the only suffers of abuse.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on November 06, 2016, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: rdelius on October 27, 2016, 07:59:48 PM
It would not surprise me that the WE sets were Jr Achevement projects.Bell got rid of old sets and they were not useable as telephones anymore

The "Telephone Pioneers" were responsible for most of the Imperial Lamps. JA did make some (thru the Telephone Pioneers).
The compleated lamps were sold as fund raisers. Many working telephone folks supported the "Telephone Pioneers" fundraisers.

JMO,
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 27, 2016, 10:57:12 PM
This is a new look for a lamp phone, at least new to my eyes, and it's not really hideous as most lamp phones go.

This steam punk metal pipe creation is actually appealing, at least to me, and I don't think the phone was harmed in any way. IIRC, there is a pipe fitting on these phones which if so, was used to attach the appropriately scuffed black pipe.

While not hideous, I think but I may be wrong, it is posted here for posterity. It is a bit pricey, though . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Industrial-Black-Iron-Pipe-Table-Lamp-Vintage-Steampunk-Military-telephone-Light-/222313923243
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 27, 2016, 11:05:40 PM
The TA-312/PT has no pipe fitting, nor any openings in the case on that side.  Hate to see one go like that.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on November 27, 2016, 11:07:41 PM
Thanks, don't know those phones very well.

I was thinking of those ship phones that do have a pipe fitting. Yes, if the fitting was created, then it is indeed, a hideous lamp phone.

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 06, 2016, 10:17:06 AM
This lamp phone initially listed on November 11 of 2016 at $38 plus $35 shipping was relisted at $26 plus $35 shipping (from Kansas to Wisconsin, a very short distance) and finally sold December 5th when the seller reduced the shipping to $12. An interesting lamp phone, unfortunately, a phone destroyed to make a lamp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-TELEPHONE-BAKELITE-TURNED-INTO-A-PHONE-LAMP-/112227580893
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 07, 2016, 11:59:54 PM
Pourme purchased the previous "Atrocity" (AE 1A) on eBay and when much discussion ensued I split it out to its own topic so that discussion can continue there.

Here is the new topic:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=17227.0

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on December 08, 2016, 06:09:31 PM
Here's one that will make you scratch your head.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-oeuvre-d-art/gatineau/lampe-telephone/1207661567?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on December 08, 2016, 06:11:19 PM
Quote from: Autonut on December 08, 2016, 06:09:31 PM
Here's one that will make you scratch your head.

Steam Punk! Or is it steam puck?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 08, 2016, 06:22:27 PM
It's like looking at an optical illusion trying to figure out what they saw in that hotch potch.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 08, 2016, 07:34:35 PM
Quote from: Autonut on December 08, 2016, 06:09:31 PM
Here's one that will make you scratch your head.

Literary Genre gone Borg . . .
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on December 08, 2016, 07:40:05 PM
It will be assimulated.  Resistance is futile!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on December 08, 2016, 07:43:37 PM
If it had a dial it could become  the CRPF mascot.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on December 12, 2016, 12:03:16 AM
The more I look at it, the more I am unsure of what it actually does...... :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 12, 2016, 12:10:42 AM
Quote from: AL_as_needed on December 12, 2016, 12:03:16 AM
The more I look at it, the more I am unsure of what it actually does...... :o

Read this, I guarantee it will answer your question.

http://www.steampunk.com/what-is-steampunk/



In short, exist . . .    Longer, for whatever purpose was in the mind of its creator.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 16, 2016, 10:45:53 AM
Another example of literary genre gone Borg.

Perfectly good oak cabinet drilled 5 times, 2 mounting screws, lamp power cord, chassis power cord and switch. For what purpose? To exist for one person's satisfaction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steampunk-OOAK-Lamp-Industrial-Telephone-Switchboard-Table-Desk-Light-/142213625189

And, then, what was it before it was assimilated?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 16, 2016, 11:14:25 AM
And this one is just plain ugly. Very strange design but at least the perch or cup wasn't drilled.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antq-Style-Brass-Candlestick-Phone-Lamp-Stained-Glass-Shade-Works-Great-HTF-/201741324809

Only 5 hours left in the auction so it may sell, or maybe not. No one is watching this item.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on December 16, 2016, 11:15:12 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 16, 2016, 10:45:53 AM
And, then, what was it before it was assimilated?

Looks like a small dispatch board, perhaps plant security or public safety, etc.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 16, 2016, 01:03:24 PM
As opposed to a page of fatuous descriptions for "steampunk", why not just the hallmarks: stark, ugly and destructive.  I'm sure someone out there is making something in keeping with it that would be something a sane person would be proud of, or use. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: unbeldi on December 16, 2016, 01:46:40 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on December 16, 2016, 01:03:24 PM
As opposed to a page of fatuous descriptions for "steampunk", why not just the hallmarks: stark, ugly and destructive.  I'm sure someone out there is making something in keeping with it that would be something a sane person would be proud of, or use.
Why do you presume those that don't agree, as not ''sane''.  The idea of re-using what is considered junk at any given time to make works of "art", using that term without prejudice, has always been popular.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 16, 2016, 03:01:16 PM
You said it, "art".   :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 16, 2016, 03:53:58 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on December 16, 2016, 03:01:16 PM
You said it, "art".   :D

Did you read the link in reply #623? (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1000.msg177938#msg177938)

It's a good essay on what the SP people think and are doing, like it or not. Some of the stuff they come up with using parts of non-phone stuff is almost ingenious. I'd even think the ever advancing capabilities and internal design of the TARDIS could be called the contemporary SP physical representation of that literary genre. It's just unfortunate that they could not use their faculties to determine the loss of value to what would have been a rare and expensive item before harming and sometimes destroying it. Art is at times in the eyes of the destroyer.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 16, 2016, 03:59:37 PM
Yes I did, That what inspired me to write #627.  :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on December 16, 2016, 05:19:28 PM
The stick in the auction was a reproduction,somebody lost money on it
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on December 17, 2016, 10:36:12 AM
I'm not going to stop someone from doing what they enjoy or making something "pretty" in their eyes (I mean look at us, we are an odd bunch for sure) but in the case of SP-ing things, at least get parts and build it in a manner that actually compliment the original design. Like the dispatch board, dont take a new galvanized housing and jamb it on and call it a day....not hard to find something period correct that might actually look kinda nice there.

If your going to botch something, botch it well (oxymoronic i know...)....ok, off the soap box
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Stan S on December 17, 2016, 10:57:27 AM
http://tinyurl.com/jhtygvm (http://tinyurl.com/jhtygvm)

Stan S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on December 17, 2016, 12:19:17 PM
Quote from: Stan S on December 17, 2016, 10:57:27 AM
http://tinyurl.com/jhtygvm (http://tinyurl.com/jhtygvm)

Stan S.

That was awesome and it hit the nail on the head. LOL :) Thanks for posting it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Stan S on December 18, 2016, 12:12:49 AM
Doug
You're welcome.

Emailing that link to anyone who uses the term STEAMPUNK in their auction is the second favorite thing I do on Ebay.
I stopped counting the number of times I was told to do something that is physically impossible to do by the recipients of that link.

My most favorite thing is figuring out 'work arounds' to Ebay's ban on the 'autostart' html command for background music.
They will not allow any auction to be posted that has background music that starts and stops automatically. It is absolutely forbidden!!! Seems they don't like background music.

They employ the finest code writers money can buy. They have absolutely made it impossible to do!

http://tinyurl.com/hksssmo (http://tinyurl.com/hksssmo)

Have A Happy Holiday!
Stan S.


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 18, 2016, 08:28:23 AM
 :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RotarDad on January 21, 2017, 09:19:12 PM
This one is hard to look at.  A '57 Moss Green 500 with a nice gray handset cord...... For $135, it can be yours...... 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/492275194
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on January 21, 2017, 10:18:48 PM
That is extremely sad....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on January 21, 2017, 11:54:08 PM
Short Circuit comes to mind, not the movie but the wiring in who ever did that's head.

How sad. And it had a gray handset cord, which is still good but not worth the price.

Someone turned a jewel into junk, at best, a parts phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on January 22, 2017, 08:22:58 AM
Are these sorts of things even popular?

Outside of these tragic images, I have not see these "vintage phone lamps" in person, and I deal with some fruity people on a regular basis.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 09, 2017, 07:08:47 PM
Double your lumens, double your sun with doublebulb, doublebulb, doublebulb fun.

Okay, not the best variation on that theme but it's the best I could come up with in a few seconds. This phone reminds me of a scene from the original "War of the Worlds." And only $100 plus $30 in shipping.

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-real-rotary-telephone-made-into-lamp-/192176130575
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on May 09, 2017, 09:26:26 PM
I would not buy such atrocities, no ...:(  .. It's really ugly
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 18, 2017, 12:53:11 PM
Another interesting contraption based on a more interesting phone.

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Telephone-Lamp-ONE-OF-A-KIND-About-20-inches-tall-Brown-wood-/222514077560
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on May 18, 2017, 12:55:59 PM
Brown wood.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2017, 03:21:52 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 18, 2017, 12:53:11 PM
Another interesting contraption based on a more interesting phone.

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Telephone-Lamp-ONE-OF-A-KIND-About-20-inches-tall-Brown-wood-/222514077560

I have one of these. It is missing the watchcase receiver and the stand/lamp kit.
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Ktownphoneco on May 23, 2017, 01:59:43 PM
In 25 years of collecting and restoring telephones, this is the first time I've seen this.      Where else - eBay : http://bit.ly/2rxvxiO     The seller calls it a "Litterlamp", and goes on to say "give it to someone special".     Oh right !     Give it to a psychiatrist so the he / she will get the help they so desperately need.    He / she says it's a 1943 Northern.    What a "WASTE" !

Jeff Lamb     
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 23, 2017, 03:35:09 PM
Quote from: Ktownphoneco on May 23, 2017, 01:59:43 PM
What a "WASTE" !

Seller complete description:  "Litterlamps is an attempt to upcycle vintage collectibles, keepsakes, or even that item that was destined for the tip. We turn trash into shabby chic treasure. If you like steam punk these lamps are for you. -- This litterlamp is named "Lights Calling." It is a one of a kind desk lamp made out of a 1943 Northern Electric rotary phone. The rotary still spins and the receiver is still removable. If this WW2 era phone could talk, oh the stories it would tell. The screws holding the original leather feet were replaced with wooden sewing spools from around the same era. They are complete with the original thread which has been secured in place by a plastic weld. The bulb (included) is an LED with candelabra base light (night light). You can replace the bulb with any color you want. The plug and socket are a USA 110 and not intended for any other plug. This is perfect for the dorm or even the upscale office. Make this the one of a kind gift for that special person in your life. -- The last picture is the patent stamp of 1943. -- I build litterlamps from almost anything. If you have a keepsake that you would like to be repurposed and renamed for that special someone, send me a message and we will see what can be done. "

Seller admits drilling out the ringer, adding the lamp and wasting 12 good spools of thread.

One ugly contraction that was a waste of a phone, some thread and a lot time. Needs to install a litterlamp to see the light of his folly.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 04, 2017, 04:51:36 AM
Almost everything except the socket and chain could be be salvaged, it seems. Would be a major project to turn this barn fresh "lamp-phone" into a fully working candlestick with subset . . .

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Candlestick-Phone-Lamp-/182605618897
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Fabius on June 11, 2017, 12:02:32 PM
http://tinyurl.com/y8xumxob

Magneto crank an interesting touch. If it was cheap I'd buy it for the North transmitter and cup.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 11, 2017, 08:58:41 PM
Internally stripped so without the magneto and ringer the only parts there are the receiver (probably empty, very short cord on it) and the transmitter (could also be empty) cup/face plate, mouthpiece, the gongs with clapper guard, the crank and a few other small parts. All not worth the asking price.

Was that dial (blank now) mount original for added by someone. Can't tell by the inside cut marks. The cut out hole looks quite even and the finish matches.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: poplar1 on June 11, 2017, 09:31:38 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on June 11, 2017, 08:58:41 PM
Internally stripped so without the magneto...[snip]

I don't think it ever had a hand generator (magneto), as the primitive switch hook is in the same space that would be needed for the GEN....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on June 27, 2017, 06:45:14 AM
Another amazing creation . . .       with issues.

     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-1920s-Candlestick-Phone-Lamp-/201960469969

Pictures are worth a gazillion words on this lamp phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on June 27, 2017, 03:29:24 PM
Looks like the stick was an Autelco (AE) rebuild of a WE stick before it got turned into a lamp
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ThePillenwerfer on August 11, 2017, 05:42:26 PM
This is not only an act of vandalism but a useless lamp. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253075603676
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on August 11, 2017, 10:18:37 PM
My actual face :  :o

It is neither a functional phone or a lamp....it's like they made it just to laugh at us...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on August 12, 2017, 10:28:05 AM
Personally I do not like this kind of thing that does not honor the old phones. It is very far from being pretty .
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on August 12, 2017, 11:45:35 AM
Do people actually buy this stuff?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on August 12, 2017, 02:00:35 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on August 12, 2017, 11:45:35 AM
Do people actually buy this stuff?

If there are sellers, I imagine there are buyers..
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 16, 2017, 03:39:43 PM
While not a phone, nor an antique or a desirable lantern, there is still something totally wrong with this lobotomy.

It's just wrong in so many ways.

And I'd like to see what low profile bulb is used to clear the bail.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on October 16, 2017, 04:19:24 PM
I found something similar last year, only it was missing the handle:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16405.msg169916#msg169916
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on October 16, 2017, 05:08:30 PM
Ranch Craft.  Is that like steampunk?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Nick in Manitou on October 16, 2017, 10:24:17 PM
Making a lamp out of a lamp...?

It seems that if they were going to mess with it, they should have made a phone out of a lamp!

Nick

(P.S. Are any of the forum folks that are into lanterns into carbide lamps?  I have a few I picked up as a result of being a caver.)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 16, 2017, 10:39:49 PM
Quote from: Nick in Manitou on October 16, 2017, 10:24:17 PM
(P.S. Are any of the forum folks that are into lanterns into carbide lamps?  I have a few I picked up as a result of being a caver.)

Al_as_needed has ventured into that area of lamp collecting. Topic here on his first carbide:

     http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=18984.0

They look interesting. I understand how they work. Someone said the best part was the little pop they make when they are turned off: the point at which the acetylene mixture with the oxygen in the air becomes an explosive mixture and as such, the pop. Same with acetylene torches IIRC.

I took a count of mine and with 21 1/2, my wife gives me "the look" when she catches me browsing any type of lanterns or lamps on eBay.  So, not for me but I'm sure Al will post when he gets back onto the forum.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on October 20, 2017, 01:58:44 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on October 16, 2017, 03:39:43 PM
While not a phone, nor an antique or a desirable lantern, there is still something totally wrong with this lobotomy.

It's just wrong in so many ways.

And I'd like to see what low profile bulb is used to clear the bail.


They really went about it in such a way that was more effort than needed.... Most put the bulb socket inside the globe.... Or easiest thing of all; Fill with oil, light, adjust wick as needed and enjoy.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on October 21, 2017, 06:43:13 PM
Why in the heck do people want to do things like this?  There is plenty of nice lamps around without turning phones into lamps!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on October 31, 2017, 10:44:13 PM
Here's a really pretty chrome plated North.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Telephone-Lamp-Rotary-Dial-Silver-Black-Mid-Centuty-Modern/282716015032

?hash=item41d33009b8:g:DFwAAOSwWHBZ-Rus
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 01, 2017, 04:22:56 AM
Here is a another candlestick lamp listing.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/565430453 (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/565430453)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: magicbrain on November 16, 2017, 11:29:09 AM
Ok - not lamps, but still an atrocity? Two Ericofon shells filled with concrete for bookends - imagine someone doing this to a pair of colored soft plastic 500s or small plunger 300s, etc.

https://tinyurl.com/yauqe7gx (https://tinyurl.com/yauqe7gx)

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on November 16, 2017, 11:36:22 AM
Not that any of us would have been very impressed but the "artist" could have filled them with concrete and then reinstalled the base with dial so they still had a rubber gasket and were much more of a conversation piece.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 16, 2017, 01:30:37 PM
Lump phone atrocities.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on November 16, 2017, 08:21:59 PM
Quote from: SUnset2 on October 31, 2017, 10:44:13 PM
Here's a really pretty chrome plated North.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Telephone-Lamp-Rotary-Dial-Silver-Black-Mid-Centuty-Modern/282716015032

?hash=item41d33009b8:g:DFwAAOSwWHBZ-Rus

I agree, and I offered $25.00+ shipping and it now sits on my in table!  :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 16, 2017, 08:39:20 PM
Quote from: Pourme on November 16, 2017, 08:21:59 PM
I agree, and I offered $25.00+ shipping and it now sits on my in table!  :D

Nice, Pourme and lucky you. :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on November 16, 2017, 08:48:30 PM
Thanks Duffy. I'd rather have it as a fully functional phone but, it DOES make a extremely cool lamp!

Benny
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on November 18, 2017, 09:03:41 PM
What goes through a person's mind that convinces them "I'm going to take working phone with an award winning design, gut the thing, and fill it with cement......and call it art (!?!)" Its even more useless than if where just a broken phone, cement cant be fixed....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 30, 2017, 05:21:05 PM
This isn't a lamp, but a phone atrocity just the same.

They say it's a 1942 phone bird house.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on November 30, 2017, 06:06:43 PM
Quote from: Duffy on November 30, 2017, 05:21:05 PM
They say it's a 1942 phone bird house.

It must have been made during that pesky Birdhouse shortage during the war... ::)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Haf on December 08, 2017, 03:43:38 PM
Defenitly one of the worst I've ever seen....how can you do that to a phone???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Pay-Phone-Industrial-Lamp-steampunk/272973701215?hash=item3f8e80205f:g:8oYAAOSwh1haKgHr

Reminds me to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA

Just glue some gears on it an call it steampunk.

Haf
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on December 08, 2017, 03:49:25 PM
Well at least they did no harm to the phone.  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 08, 2017, 04:59:25 PM
Quote from: Duffy on December 08, 2017, 03:49:25 PM
Well at least they did harm the phone.  :o

Think you meant "  . . . didn't harm . . . "

Seem to be mounted on a back board and the plumbing attached to the board, not the phone. Still a bit high for the phone itself.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on December 09, 2017, 07:09:10 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on December 08, 2017, 04:59:25 PM
Think you meant "  . . . didn't harm . . . "

Seem to be mounted on a back board and the plumbing attached to the board, not the phone. Still a bit high for the phone itself.

Yes, you are right John. I fixed it. I must of had a senior moment and forgot what I was typing.  ;) 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on December 09, 2017, 08:54:44 AM
After seeing this Steampunk pay phone lamp I was wondering if this stuff sells. Apparently it does, I found this parking meter lamp that sold for $800.00!! Plus over $100.00 shipping!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202069886789
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on December 09, 2017, 10:15:41 AM
I have one and I love it. It works with coins and the meter runs the lamp for the duration of the coin used. Great ticking sound as it runs. One of my favorite lamps in my phone room as my lamps are not conventional lamps!!

I guess I am "steampunk" although I am not quite sure what it means  ;D I have been called worse  8)....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on December 09, 2017, 10:38:56 AM
Quote from: Doug Rose on December 09, 2017, 10:15:41 AM
I guess I am "steampunk" although I am not quite sure what it means . . .

As someone else defined it:  steampunk is a genre AND a design aesthetic AND a philosophy (http://www.steampunk.com/what-is-steampunk/)


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on December 09, 2017, 10:42:06 AM
far out man
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on December 09, 2017, 11:00:28 AM
I have a parking meter, I've been wondering what to do with it...Taking mental notes!

Benny
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on December 10, 2017, 07:29:05 PM
...so this is why Lowes is always out of 1/2 inch black pipe fittings.....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on December 18, 2017, 05:24:43 PM
Do you have to keep putting change in the meter to keep the light on?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on December 18, 2017, 06:09:30 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on December 18, 2017, 05:24:43 PM
Do you have to keep putting change in the meter to keep the light on?
Yes....its very cool as a quarter gets you and hour ..etc. When its stops ticking the light goes out. ....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on December 23, 2017, 10:57:20 PM
I don't mind some of the nicely done lamps made from phones but now they've gone too far...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on December 23, 2017, 11:30:42 PM
~

Oh my!

~
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on December 24, 2017, 09:05:27 AM
Is that the pose the "boss" makes when she sees you brought home another payphone?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on January 02, 2018, 05:11:39 PM
This guy not only destroys phones as he did with this nice color Pink AE 90 wall phone. Check his other items!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/122892936071
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 02, 2018, 07:43:21 PM
I hope these artistes have a limited number of these tragedies to make before their creative juices go dry.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on January 02, 2018, 08:35:53 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 02, 2018, 05:11:39 PM
This guy not only destroys phones as he did with this nice color Pink AE 90 wall phone. Check his other items!

Do I have to? I'd really rather not...if that's okay with everyone......

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: kleenax on February 08, 2018, 12:59:51 PM
Here's a CRAZY lamp/phone that I found in Lancaster, PA antique shop in 2005! I didn't want it, so Jon Katz bought it - $85 for a WE#10 lamp! And yes, those are both original AE 1A/31B colored sets that I restored for Katz after finding them in the bowels of an ancient Pullman car, in the middle of a field in rural OHIO!  And, although I found them in a bonafide EARLY, all-wood Pullman car, there was NO rails in site! Just sitting in the middle of a field behind a farmhouse.....but that's another story! ;-)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on February 20, 2018, 07:49:26 AM
There's a bloke in the UK who does these ugly conversions too. This one for sale on fleabay at the time of writing.
It is really is sad to see what he has done to it.

A genuine GPO Candlestick. Prior to converting, UK value roughly £400 - £450. Now stripped out, no doubt drilled, and turned into an awful £75 lamp.

You can even just about make out the GPO stamp at the top of the stem. I hope beyond hope that it is merely a good replica, although even the listing says 'GPO'...

I wonder, has nobody ever kindly advised him to check what he has in his hands before he destroys them?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: stub on March 02, 2018, 08:19:21 PM
It's happened again !!!!!!!!!!!!  :'(      stub
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on March 02, 2018, 08:22:02 PM
That's about the sadist I have seen in a very long time!....It's worth a rescue!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on March 02, 2018, 08:34:20 PM
Although a very common phone, this 746 doesn't deserve to be butchered like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142670506462
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on March 02, 2018, 08:48:33 PM
that one looks like it would great fun to take a driver and do some driving on that bulb!  Lit!  Snap crackle and pop!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Babybearjs on March 02, 2018, 10:38:12 PM
 >:( Eek gads! They even do that over in Europe? Ouch! I would have at least used a 1 Meter pipe on that socket to be able to put a shade on it.... sad....so sad....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: oldguy on March 02, 2018, 11:38:10 PM
Stub, that is disgusting. I really like those AE50s.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on March 03, 2018, 02:53:25 AM
Note the number card on the red 50....Junior Achievment. They made lots of lamps from old phones with the Telcos help. Is that one on eBay currently? Would be interesting to see what it goes for.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 03, 2018, 08:47:25 AM
That poor old 746, and it's not even thoughtfully converted (if such a thing were possible with these things). Yuk.

That AE50 is a nice looking phone, and a bad looking lamp.  :(

Here's another:

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on March 03, 2018, 11:18:43 AM
That was too far a nice phone to waste like that.  Bet they broke the receiver drilling it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 04, 2018, 10:02:02 AM
A REGULAR MEMBER POST

After four days of oxi, finally a regular member post  8)

Words cannot describe my  thoughts. Yes....it is real

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232684944107?rmvSB=true
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: wds on March 04, 2018, 10:04:32 AM
Wow, sad.  And judging from the dial card this looks like it was a class project?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 04, 2018, 10:06:42 AM
Weren't there enough black ones hanging around! Ouch! If someone gets luck enough to win this, I have Some Big AE decals that should cover the hole. These are the decals that were on the tops of 35s and 50s....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Gary Z on March 09, 2018, 01:18:32 AM
Stromberg Coffee Grinder

This should go in the atrocities folder, but I couldn't find it. It looks as close as it can get to being a total disaster, but there still seems to be some value in it. It does still have the egg shaped bells that has been discussed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/152937507904
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on March 09, 2018, 06:42:21 PM
The Chinese Red / Gold Trim AE 50 lamp phone a few posts back has sold today on eBay for $525. I was hoping to be the lucky winner but not today.

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 09, 2018, 08:38:51 PM
Quote from: AE_Collector on March 09, 2018, 06:42:21 PM
The Chinese Red / Gold Trim AE 50 lamp phone a few posts back has sold today on eBay for $525. I was hoping to be the lucky winner but not today.

Terry
To bad Terry,

It could still be a find of the month if the winner admits it. $525 is a nice price.
Just My Opinion,
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on March 11, 2018, 11:08:27 AM
Quote from: Roody on March 09, 2018, 01:18:32 AM
Stromberg Coffee Grinder

This should go in the atrocities folder, but I couldn't find it. It looks as close as it can get to being a total disaster, but there still seems to be some value in it. It does still have the egg shaped bells that has been discussed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/152937507904

Does not even look like it would work as a lamp.  ???
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 11, 2018, 11:53:54 AM
Does anyone have a picture of how  SC "Coffe Grinder" is supposed to look. Form the pics, I can't see spending $300 for it, unless the decimal point was moved a couple of zeros over to the right.....Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Gary Z on March 11, 2018, 01:26:23 PM
It is one of the strangest models I have ever seen
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on March 11, 2018, 02:13:59 PM
Thanks Gary.....now I can visualize it......Doug
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on March 11, 2018, 02:32:16 PM
Had me scared there a moment,  It looked like someone had destroyed a BC-611 to make a steampunk poopyscope.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on March 11, 2018, 03:02:35 PM
Whoever bought that got one great deal if it can be de-lamped successfully! There was a discussion on the list not long ago about these, very few out there and they command big dollars!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 15, 2018, 06:30:05 AM
Just my opinion, but, yuk.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: twocvbloke on March 15, 2018, 03:56:04 PM
Quote from: FabPhones on March 15, 2018, 06:30:05 AM
Just my opinion, but, yuk.


My opinion too, and somewhat morbid aswell with that disembodied hand loosely holding the gutted handset... :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andy1702 on March 22, 2018, 11:45:33 AM
The truth is a candlestick phone is not worth anything like £400 here in the UK. Just the candlestick bit is about £80 untested. £120-£140 if you want it complete with the bell box.

He's still wated his time though if he's trying to sell it for £75. The value is proabbly more like about £15 after conversion. Should be possible to convert it back though, as someone did a while ago, if only I could find that thread.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on May 10, 2018, 09:24:13 PM
~

This seller has not one but SIX lamp phones offered on EBAY, your choice, only $139.00.

I believe he/she has gone into mass production!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on May 10, 2018, 11:15:46 PM
Some enterprising individual should manufacture mock up telephones for the master blasters to destroy in pursuit of their "art".
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NikeTelephone on May 11, 2018, 02:42:54 AM
    Here is my Entry to this Topic!!   She is in the Process of being De-Lamped!! :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 11, 2018, 03:17:54 AM
Quote from: Pourme on May 10, 2018, 09:24:13 PM
~

This seller has not one but SIX lamp phones offered on EBAY, your choice, only $139.00.

I believe he/she has gone into mass production!

So many! Now that really does make me see red. And blue, and green.....  >:(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on May 15, 2018, 06:12:35 AM
Never understood why making a phone inoperable and stuffing a bulb socket on it makes it worth 100$ more than when it was a new phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 15, 2018, 06:27:15 AM
Quote from: AL_as_needed on May 15, 2018, 06:12:35 AM
Never understood why making a phone inoperable and stuffing a bulb socket on it makes it worth 100$ more than when it was a new phone.

The really bizarre thing is the phones that are worth good money untouched, which are then totally devalued havng been made into a lamp - which is then priced for sale at less than the phone was originally worth.  ::)

I do wish these people would do a bit of research first.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: NikeTelephone on May 27, 2018, 06:57:52 AM
  Here i go again, found another Lamp Atrocitie!! she needs alot of loving, and had wrong head set with it too.. have the proper one on order!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on May 27, 2018, 07:48:12 AM
That is a Rail Road phone. Here is what mine from the Canadian Pacific Rail Road looks like.
This is what it should look like without the lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on June 04, 2018, 03:52:31 AM
Another. Butt I don't like it.  :D

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on June 11, 2018, 05:58:04 PM
Not a lamp phone but a real atrocity none the less! A real waste of a phone!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/192565775083
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on June 11, 2018, 08:46:31 PM
It would have never even thought of doing that....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on June 11, 2018, 09:08:12 PM
They were probably trying to figure something they could do with it after gluing the phone together.   Saw it in half.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on July 17, 2018, 05:33:53 AM
A nice lamp, a really nice phone, a bad lamp-phone.   :(


Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on July 20, 2018, 12:11:43 PM
This is a nice Gold D mount but a waste of a nice Ivery F handset. Made by WE for a retirement gift?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302811496612
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on July 20, 2018, 02:32:20 PM
The pioneers made a lot of the Imperial lamps as fundraisers. I have heard that Junior Achievement  made them as well.
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on July 20, 2018, 02:50:43 PM
Yes, I have heard that too. Seems to be the major consensus on them. Would either one of them make one for a WE retiree?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on July 20, 2018, 07:07:52 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on July 20, 2018, 02:50:43 PM
Yes, I have heard that too. Seems to be the major consensus on them. Would either one of them make one for a WE retiree?


I have a working step switch lamp that was made by WE as a retirement gift. I got it from the guy who spearheaded the project. they made 10-15 of them. JKL museunmn
had a  newer version of it as well.
I also have a shiny gold 2500 lamp  (Bell) that seems most likely  a retirement gift.

That lamp may of been previous to  the Pioneer lamp project.
Just a guess,
Jim S.

The retirement imperial lamps could of been the start of the pioneers imperial lamp project
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Butch Harlow on July 29, 2018, 10:16:04 AM
Ruined 553 (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273378075036)

Somebody buy this poor thing and save it. How sad, and ugly. Of course they drilled a hole in the transmitter cup.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on August 05, 2018, 11:27:01 AM
Ruined 553

I think this one gets a prize for least amount of effort. The socket alone (never minding the fact its jammed into the transmitter) looks shoddy....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on August 05, 2018, 12:55:01 PM
Transmitter cups can be replaced and not hard to find to fix lamps back .In candlesticks this is the easiest to fix.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on August 05, 2018, 02:33:52 PM
Did someone here put it out of it's misery?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on August 16, 2018, 09:59:30 PM
WE Handset lamp.  :o

Description
Vtg Western Electric 70's Plastic Phone LAMP Orange White WORKS 14" No shade
****Made at the plant on Polk Avenue Western Electric Nashville TN
****Possibly the early 80's but was told it was 70's (not 100%sure)
****Not logo TN Vols but was made for me and it was their colors
Color:  Orange White
Condition:  Vintage Condition shows some wear

FLAWS:

Spot of orange on the grip has come off - 1/4 diameter
Little dirty in spots
Chord has a few small scuffs see pictures
Does not have a shade or bulb - only what is in picture

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vtg-Western-Electric-70s-Plastic-Phone-LAMP-Orange-White-WORKS-14-No-shade-ATT/132490412379 (https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vtg-Western-Electric-70s-Plastic-Phone-LAMP-Orange-White-WORKS-14-No-shade-ATT/132490412379)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on August 16, 2018, 11:00:13 PM
JA is Junior Achievement.
The parts were probably furnished by a local operating company or Pioneers as well as some volunteers. they helped kids make and sell various products and learn about business..
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Portilious on September 03, 2018, 12:07:35 PM
Wow, this is just ugly.
Zero effort doing the lamp too, they could at least use the handset as the plug for the light bulb instead of just adding the lamp pole in the phone.
Like these atrocities below...  :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on September 03, 2018, 04:47:31 PM
What kind of phones were those before they were "arted" around with?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Portilious on September 03, 2018, 04:56:48 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on September 03, 2018, 04:47:31 PM
What kind of phones were those before they were arted around with?
The first, second and the last are Siemens s62.
The fourth is an italian desk phone Safnat Milano 2+7,
I have the very same model on my collection. Ditto for the Siemens s62 said above.
The third, I guess it's a FeTAp? Looks like I reposted the same picture from the OP, whoops.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on September 08, 2018, 06:33:22 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on September 03, 2018, 04:47:31 PM
...they were arted around with...

My new favorite way of politely talking about poor quality work   :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on September 08, 2018, 09:51:00 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on September 03, 2018, 04:47:31 PM
What kind of phones were those before they were "arted" around with?
Did you mistake a "word' on your proofread?
Or not?
JimS.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on September 08, 2018, 10:10:29 PM
I put it that way because they think they are creating art.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Partyline4 on September 23, 2018, 09:44:35 PM
I think it looks pretty good, actually....I've read how others feel about telephone lamps, and I am usually in agreement with not destroying candlesticks. These 500 sets, as many as there are - let a few go as a lamp, fine by me.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163274980560
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on September 25, 2018, 05:55:27 PM
Why is it that you never see a 500 set with a dial blank made into a lamp?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on September 25, 2018, 06:08:08 PM
How about a subset lamp?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232922548106
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on September 25, 2018, 06:11:26 PM
Maybe a handset lamp?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132490412379
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on September 25, 2018, 06:12:43 PM
People will stop at nothing to make a buck, amazing, just Amazing.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: andre_janew on September 25, 2018, 06:19:03 PM
I'm amazed that there is even a market for this stuff!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on September 25, 2018, 07:38:39 PM
Exactly, who wants a handset lamp... Desperado, someone has been out mending feces for so long, there loosing touch with reality.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on September 25, 2018, 08:35:21 PM
Quote from: Key2871 on September 25, 2018, 07:38:39 PM
Exactly, who wants a handset lamp... Desperado, someone has been out mending feces for so long, there loosing touch with reality.
Looks like a Junior Achievement project to me. The kids made them and sold them as a business project. They had a sponsor that helped create the project and got them the parts.
I think the Telephone Pioneers sponsored this project.
Just my guess,
Jim S.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on September 25, 2018, 08:39:53 PM
Quote from: Key2871 on September 25, 2018, 07:38:39 PM
Exactly, who wants a handset lamp... Desperado, someone has been out mending feces for so long, there loosing touch with reality.

Mending feces? Sounds like a smelly job!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RotarDad on September 25, 2018, 11:12:58 PM
That reference to the Eagles song Desperado was highjacked by the auto fill- I dislike that "feature" of modern tech.  Hurts more often than it helps imho.....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on September 26, 2018, 08:33:42 AM
The eagles, like old phones are classic. Anything done to take away from either is all done in bad taste.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on September 30, 2018, 04:15:49 PM
GPO phone lamp

Might as well ruin the dial because no one knows how to use them.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on September 30, 2018, 04:20:12 PM
Yuk. That one looks like it is blowing bubbles. And then the blue cord.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on September 30, 2018, 06:18:18 PM
And I thought the handset lamp was stupid and ugly.
I stand corrected...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AE_Collector on October 01, 2018, 12:16:22 AM
How hard woukd it be to find a brown base/lamp cord for this? Instead they find this "almost matching" bright blue cord!

Terry
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on October 01, 2018, 06:57:24 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on October 01, 2018, 12:16:22 AM
How hard woukd it be to find a brown base/lamp cord for this? Instead they find this "almost matching" bright blue cord!

     Regular Member Post (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=20151.msg206412#msg206412)

Not hard at all and only $1.40 a foot plus shipping. Whomever made that lamp phone, went out of their way to get that cord.

And many colors are available from Sundial, a major manufacturer of repro lamp power cords. This is the link to their twisted pair offerings.

     http://www.sundialwire.com/twistedpair.aspx

However, no cloth cords anywhere near to the cloth cords custom spun by OldPhoneWorks in Canada.

Here is the link to their main site showing all of the cords they make for lamp restoration enthusiasts.

     http://www.sundialwire.com/clothcoveredwire.aspx#category
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on February 05, 2019, 04:43:50 PM
Even 1980's/90's transparent phones can't escape.
No discrete LED illumination here, just a mismatched large black bayonet fitting and a whopping great big bulb  ;D
Not sure what the silver disk underneath is, probably to stop the whole thing falling over.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 05, 2019, 05:48:45 PM
Quote from: FABphones on February 05, 2019, 04:43:50 PM

Not sure what the silver disk underneath is, probably to stop the whole thing falling over.
It looks like they took a gooseneck desk lamp modified it into a phone lamp. I think I would of left  the phone base off.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on February 05, 2019, 07:18:48 PM
Exactly, what's the point of the base mounted to a ... Base?
It's bad enough that had to butcher a poor defenseless phone, but do it with a little more taste than that ridicules, hideous contrpation. Some people try so hard to be an artist, too bad that they just don't think before they destroy something useful. At least give it a good funeral if it doesn't work. Walk to the nearest trash can and drop it in.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on February 05, 2019, 11:44:09 PM
     Regular Member Post (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=20151.msg206412#msg206412)

Quote from: FABphones on February 05, 2019, 04:43:50 PM
Even 1980's/90's transparent phones can't escape.

That, by far, is the absolutely ugliest lamp phone I've ever seen. Simply a waste of everything.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Russ Kirk on February 06, 2019, 05:02:38 PM
Here is one I found for $265, what a shame!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on February 06, 2019, 05:19:31 PM
Quote from: Russ Kirk on February 06, 2019, 05:02:38 PM
Here is one I found for $265, what a shame!

Took me a few seconds but I've just worked out what it is was.  :(
It looks like it was all thrown up in the air and stuck together how it landed.

It must be that time of year. Here is another. Someone tell me this is a repro and has no value.
Yours for $149.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on February 06, 2019, 09:14:37 PM
Not a repro and could most likely fixed back
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on February 14, 2019, 03:50:19 PM
A matching pair of ugly lamps.
French PTT24 telephones. You can hardly tell they were once phones.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on February 14, 2019, 04:16:33 PM
Another creation from the "A funny thing happened on the way to the trash can" skool O' art.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on February 19, 2019, 06:56:10 PM
Here is a modern LED  302 lamp. It would match better on an Ivory 302.
$40.00 with free shipping
https://www.etsy.com/listing/494869060
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on February 19, 2019, 10:27:54 PM
And here I thought the trimline phone was stupid, well this one takes the cake. Why the heck didn't they just sell it with no LED puck.. they would have had a better chance at selling it than that.... Thing
Geese, I just am amazed that people are so hard up that they have to put a battery operated light on the phone..
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 12, 2019, 11:54:29 PM
A dual category contender. Hideous Telephones and Lamp Phone Atrocities.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: dsk on March 18, 2019, 01:44:53 PM
The first one I have seen in Norway.


Hang your coat on the hook-switch and the lamp lights up.


ad: https://goo.gl/Y6V1gS


dsk
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on March 18, 2019, 02:36:21 PM
I wish there some precious collectible these nihilists liked that I could ruin for them and put up a picture to grab as many of them as possible.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: magicbrain on July 03, 2019, 10:33:43 AM
"VINTAGE ROTARY TELEPHONE TABLE LAMP ONE of a KIND" - If only that were true :(
ebay listing

https://tinyurl.com/y5k4mmzu]https://tinyurl.com/y5k4mmzu
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on July 03, 2019, 11:04:52 AM
They killed it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on July 03, 2019, 12:31:43 PM
That seller also has a Contempra he ruined!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Butch Harlow on July 03, 2019, 02:13:07 PM
One can only hope it's one of a kind.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on July 03, 2019, 04:32:21 PM
Some people think a light bulb makes everything look better.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on July 03, 2019, 04:48:00 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on July 03, 2019, 12:31:43 PM
That seller also has a Contempra he ruined!

Thing is, I can't look at a Contempra now without wanting to check if it has the upside down logo on it like Duffy's...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on July 03, 2019, 06:16:17 PM
Quote from: FABphones on July 03, 2019, 04:48:00 PM
Thing is, I can't look at a Contempra now without wanting to check if it has the upside down logo on it like Duffy's...

I saw the auction and checked it against Duffy's post. It appears contempras are upside down on-hook and right-side up off-hook, while in-use................usually.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on July 06, 2019, 08:59:39 AM
I bought this Northern Electric Candlestick N50AL made into a lamp.
I converted it right back to to it's former glory. It was a good thing that the person that did this left everything intact.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=22740.msg228749#new (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=22740.msg228749#new)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on July 06, 2019, 10:41:39 AM
Nice work!  A breath of fresh air!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on July 27, 2019, 02:12:15 PM
 :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: CanadianGuy on July 28, 2019, 12:34:18 PM
Found this on Kijiji Winnipeg

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1443991294
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 20, 2019, 12:04:43 PM
Found this little chrome phone at a thrift shop for a dollar.

I decided to make a lamp out of it.  LOL  ;D

NOTICE
No actual harm was done to any original telephones in the making of this lamp!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities! Another F F F Faux Phone!
Post by: 19and41 on December 09, 2019, 04:30:27 PM
Hopefully these little gems should sate the destruction lust of the truly gifted.

https://www.sciplus.com/retro-led-telephone-alarm-clock-65366-p?trk_msg=AOFLEPQ3Q1J41EVCNCGG98LGFC&trk_contact=4CTE5RVU5UUSIN3QHI62KT25GK&trk_sid=5L5RUGFASVN74NP07TR35JTGI4&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Click+for+Details.&utm_campaign=Sale+items
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities! Another F F F Faux Phone!
Post by: FABphones on December 09, 2019, 05:25:34 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on December 09, 2019, 04:30:27 PM
Hopefully these little gems should sate the destruction lust of the truly gifted....
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on December 09, 2019, 06:01:56 PM
After looking at that "thing". I snooped around that site a little. Some pretty cool stuff. One thing I did find that might be useful is something that was discussed recently, lead free solder:

https://www.sciplus.com/109-leadfree-solder-64229-p
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on December 09, 2019, 06:13:03 PM
Get on their mailing list.  They always get interesting stuff.  I got a 1000 ML drinking beaker last summer to assist in my hydration. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Western Bell on December 12, 2019, 01:47:47 AM
"Vintage Wall Rotary Phone Tan Color hang up switch. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

WITH ANY UPCYCLE LAMPS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS USE LED BULBS AS THESE ITEMS WERE NOT INTENDED TO HANDLE THE HEAT OF INCANDESCENT BULBS"

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Wall-Rotary-Phone-Tan-Color-hang-up-switch/124007951534
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on December 13, 2019, 03:17:47 AM
Last year, I bought an NE Uniphone that had been turned into a lamp and I turned it back into a phone, and this past spring, I bought a WE 202 that had been turned into a lamp that I will be turning back into a phone.  That is the only way we can save these - buy them and turn them back into phones, just to reverse what those morons are doing.  Somebody called Cadillac-modela has some Stromberg-Carlson 1243s that they turned into those darn lamps.  I can't right now buy any more phones, I hope somebody else will, and turn those back into phones.

Mike
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on December 13, 2019, 03:59:39 AM
'Vintage Wall Rotary Phone Tan Color hang up switch. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail'.

All that effort destroying it turning it into a lamp, no effort at all cleaning it.

Also, made me think of this.
'The Invisible Man Returns (1940)'.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on January 27, 2020, 06:40:50 PM
:-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on January 27, 2020, 07:08:05 PM
I've seen some very... Interesting things, I think this takes a cake.. What in the world, really? Where's the shade for the bulb?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on January 27, 2020, 07:12:57 PM
Loft deco?  Is that art's younger sillier brother?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on March 03, 2020, 11:25:01 PM
Bookends, not a lamp, but harder to make than a lamp, and much harder to convert back to a telephone!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Bell-System-Western-Electric-202-Telephone-Phone-Bookends-POP-ART/254530542829?hash=item3b4333dced:g:2HoAAOSwnRxeXwKb
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on March 06, 2020, 07:20:18 PM
Quote from: SUnset2 on March 03, 2020, 11:25:01 PM
Bookends, not a lamp, but harder to make than a lamp, and much harder to convert back to a telephone!

Not the same phone but the same idea, spotted in 2018

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1351.0;attach=193382;image)

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1351.msg215681#msg215681
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on March 06, 2020, 08:18:09 PM
This is making me sick 😷...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on April 12, 2020, 05:15:08 AM
Payphone lamp atrocity.  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on April 14, 2020, 02:41:45 PM
Imperial lamp with drilled Ivory handset.  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on April 14, 2020, 03:31:46 PM
All lot of the Imperial lamps were made by the Telephone Pioneers. It was a fund raising project.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: countryman on April 14, 2020, 03:35:53 PM
I'm afraid they did not only drill the handset but also the cradle?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: rdelius on April 14, 2020, 06:02:20 PM
The plunger was removed and the cradle was drilled through the bottom so the lamp fitting will fit. You would need a spring,plunger and the hard rubber bushings. You also need a washer or something to reduce the hole size at the cradle casting bottom so the spring will work.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on April 17, 2020, 04:17:26 AM
Half a dozen candlestick telephones converted into lamps for your perusal.  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on April 17, 2020, 11:00:43 AM
Interesting style of telephone lamp. On etsy for only  $1,927.22 shipping is only $56.68 to Colorado
https://tinyurl.com/y7vmwu7s

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description:

A one of a kind designer object. Made in Italy during the 70s, now converted to a table lamp. A very time consuming and precise buildproces.

This is the only one in the world, so it's unique. Beautiful green marble with brass details.

Can be fitted with any type of powerplug and suited for any type of voltage 110/230/230.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: These marble phones usually don't ship well.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on April 17, 2020, 03:58:57 PM
That actually looks nice.  Won't see me writing that too often on this thread.  :D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on April 17, 2020, 04:46:59 PM
At least no "real" phone was sacrificed to build it!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on April 23, 2020, 10:20:03 AM
This is a clock made from  a payphone front plate. At least they only used a part vs the whole payphone.
https://tinyurl.com/ybt54yay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WEIRD-FIND-AT-T-Vintage-Bell-Rotary-PayPhone-CLOCK-OAK-TRIM-FACE-WIRED-CLOCK/223949757944
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on April 23, 2020, 08:17:21 PM
Quote from: Jim Stettler on April 23, 2020, 10:20:03 AM
This is a clock made from  a payphone front plate. At least they only used a part vs the whole payphone.
https://tinyurl.com/ybt54yay


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WEIRD-FIND-AT-T-Vintage-Bell-Rotary-PayPhone-CLOCK-OAK-TRIM-FACE-WIRED-CLOCK/223949757944

At least it looks good. :)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on April 23, 2020, 08:43:31 PM
I have to agree it looks kinda cool.
And I bet there's a few kicking around still.
But they did a nice job. As for the price, not feeling like I have to rush out and buy one though.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on May 24, 2020, 03:52:42 PM
This payphone turned in to a lamp on eBay.

Sellers description:
Bell South Pay Phone Converted Table Lamp  80s custom made  classic look touch tone table lamp.  low  profile 24 inches  tall

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283821722498 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/283821722498)
( dead link 05-10-21 )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on May 24, 2020, 05:03:42 PM
Wow, now their after payphones. When will these people stop. And the price, holy cow.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on May 24, 2020, 05:53:19 PM
Another eBay auction with another payphone converted!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Illinois-Bell-Pay-Phone-Converted-to-Steampunk-21-Table-Lamp-Bob-Steinmetz/223923427026 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Illinois-Bell-Pay-Phone-Converted-to-Steampunk-21-Table-Lamp-Bob-Steinmetz/223923427026)

Illinois Bell Pay Phone Converted to Steampunk 21" Table Lamp Bob Steinmetz

Sellers description:
This listing features a vintage and original Illinois Bell Public Push Button Pay Phone professionally Converted to Steampunk Table Lamp by Got a Light Custom Steampunk Lighting, Bob Steinmetz. Tested and lamp is in excellent working condition. Dimmer knob switch on back. Measures approximately 21" x 12" x 9". Made in USA.  Shows some wear from age, rare vintage piece.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 24, 2020, 06:12:28 PM
That last one reminds me of a One Armed Bandit machine, as for the one before - first thought was it looks like a Genie, then decided more like a Gumball machine.  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on May 24, 2020, 06:30:47 PM
Stupid comes to mind. The set is worth more with out the light on the side than it is on it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on May 24, 2020, 07:59:22 PM
Maybe they pay to turn the light on for ten minutes.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on May 24, 2020, 09:55:04 PM
And yet another one!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184053836736 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/184053836736)

Sellers description:
Vintage Automatic Electric Co Payphone 3 Coin Slot Rotary Dial Lamp RARE Tan. Condition is Used.
There is no key
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: compubit on May 24, 2020, 11:11:13 PM
Quote from: Duffy on May 24, 2020, 05:53:19 PM
Another eBay auction with another payphone converted!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Illinois-Bell-Pay-Phone-Converted-to-Steampunk-21-Table-Lamp-Bob-Steinmetz/223923427026 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Illinois-Bell-Pay-Phone-Converted-to-Steampunk-21-Table-Lamp-Bob-Steinmetz/223923427026)

Illinois Bell Pay Phone Converted to Steampunk 21" Table Lamp Bob Steinmetz

Sellers description:
This listing features a vintage and original Illinois Bell Public Push Button Pay Phone professionally Converted to Steampunk Table Lamp by Got a Light Custom Steampunk Lighting, Bob Steinmetz. Tested and lamp is in excellent working condition. Dimmer knob switch on back. Measures approximately 21" x 12" x 9". Made in USA.  Shows some wear from age, rare vintage piece.

At least on this one, it appears that they just used the existing lock hole for the lamp.

BTW, probably the only thing truly "Illinois Bell" about this phone is the vault cover... (Not a WE keypad, probably not a WE handset, or even the innards...), at which point I call fair game...

J
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on May 25, 2020, 10:08:18 AM
Here's an idea, take those cheap China plastic knockoffs and make a lamp out of those.
Leave the good old real phones alone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on June 16, 2020, 10:46:05 AM
As a phone in it's original condition I would have looked more closely at this, but as a lamp....  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: countryman on June 16, 2020, 12:48:52 PM
Auction link (https://www.ebay.de/itm/Telefon-als-Tischlampe-Bakelit-LED-5W-TOP/184329524265?hash=item2aeae55429:g:jiQAAOSwmGde18bL) ( dead link 05-15-21 )

The seller wants about 4 times the the going rate of a good, nice and fairly clean W48. A person must be in dire need of a lamp to consider this eyesore...

I have an ivory W48 if you were interested.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on June 16, 2020, 01:08:46 PM
Zerstört.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on August 09, 2020, 03:26:54 AM
Just bought a black 302 of off E-Bay that had been destroyed by turning it into a lamp.  Fortunately, they drilled the hole in the shell and not through the still shiny handset.  The same day it came, I turned to back into a working phone.  I can fix the shell with JB weld, so that is not a problem.  This phone has an aluminum, instead of steel, base plate, which is great.  It will never rust.  The 5H dial was missing the flat spring and the cloth/paper that go under the dial face, and a finger stop screw, a screw for the metal cover that goes over the gear train, and a screw for the gear train itself.   The handset was missing both capsules and the contacts and mounting screws.  Fortunately, I had all of the necessary parts in my piles of spares, including good cords, except for the bracket for the condenser, which I can fabricate, and the metal part that provides and anchor point for the cords, which I can't find.  When it I finish it, it will be on E-Bay as a PHONE, as it now works great and looks very good.
Title: WE Candlestick Phones Turned Into Actual Candlesticks
Post by: magicbrain on August 27, 2020, 11:40:03 AM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Nickel-Plated-Candlestick-Telephone-spring-loaded-candle-stick/264845448439?hash=item3daa04d4f7:g:q2QAAOSwmKdfRq7l (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Nickel-Plated-Candlestick-Telephone-spring-loaded-candle-stick/264845448439?hash=item3daa04d4f7:g:q2QAAOSwmKdfRq7l)

(//)

Better hurry, only 10 available @ $95.00 each or BO :o

It appears at least they only sacrificed WE bases to make these - Overall very crudely done.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on August 27, 2020, 01:15:45 PM
They could've made that out of a paper towel holder.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on August 27, 2020, 02:10:02 PM
As pointless projects go, that end product is up there with the best worst.

Quote from: 19and41 on August 27, 2020, 01:15:45 PM
They could've made that out of a paper towel holder.
;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: phonium on August 27, 2020, 02:28:19 PM
Read the description, I dont think this is a modern modification. It seems this was done by bell system in the 20s.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: magicbrain on August 27, 2020, 08:48:03 PM
Quote from: phonium on August 27, 2020, 02:28:19 PM
Read the description, I dont think this is a modern modification. It seems this was done by bell system in the 20s.
Despite what the seller states, anyone working for Bell Telephone/Western Electric back in the day would never have turned out work like this - I doubt any professional would have.

(//)
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on October 03, 2020, 05:01:51 AM
Found on Facebook Marketplace.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on October 15, 2020, 11:44:09 AM
And another nice candlestick becomes a 'talking point', this one has 'sympathetic brass', Awwww  ::).

Second screenshot below is the sellers description. Spot the inaccuracies.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on October 15, 2020, 01:28:05 PM
I've seen finger hooks for door handles made from bactericidal brass, but no sympathetic brass.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 03, 2020, 04:22:47 AM
A few more, these become progressively 'creative'.

That first one has the base back to front.
Anyone quick to spot the location of the on/off switch on that Cobra?

Actually, the third one is growing on me....   :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on November 11, 2020, 12:58:13 AM
Bringing the concept up to the modern era.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324367976238 ( dead link 03-14-21 )
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on November 11, 2020, 06:13:55 PM
Quote from: SUnset2 on November 11, 2020, 12:58:13 AM
Bringing the concept up to the modern era.


I like the lighted buttons. They probably gutted the phone and added a bulb.
I would pay $10-20 locally for such a unique lamp.
JMO,
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on November 11, 2020, 07:27:15 PM
I saw one of those in a yard sale, waaay back, for free. Snatched it right up, tbe guy laughed said thats a brick.
I said yes it is, but believe it or mot its worth a few bucks! He had a bummed look.
But to do that to one, geez.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on November 11, 2020, 07:40:41 PM
Quote from: Key2871 on November 11, 2020, 07:27:15 PM
I saw one of those in a yard sale, waaay back, for free. Snatched it right up, tbe guy laughed said thats a brick.
I said yes it is, but believe it or mot its worth a few bucks! He had a bummed look.
But to do that to one, geez.
I stopped at a yard sale, mentioned I collected phones. He gave ma an original big brick , It was from Hawaii with box and 2 batteries, and a very nice holster w/accessories. He said it was high dollar and air time  was $2.00 a minute.
It cost so much he kept it. He was very happy to give it to me. Last I checked that batteries would take a charge and the LEDS would light up. It is the same type phone that I had at work in 1994.


This lamp phone is a newer style brick.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 11, 2020, 07:49:32 PM
Never had a brick, but I had a Motorola Tough Talker.  The shoebox sized one with a mobile handset and half of it was the battery.  It was my first cell phone. 
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on November 11, 2020, 08:39:47 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on November 11, 2020, 07:49:32 PM
Never had a brick, but I had a Motorola Tough Talker.  The shoebox sized one with a mobile handset and half of it was the battery.  It was my first cell phone. 
At another yard sale I was offered at least 20-30 maybe closer to 40  "bag" phones that the guy had collected.
They were cheap around $5.00 each for all. It was a lot of money that day.
I didn't  have  space to store them for 20 years. They were various ages and brands, It was a very good cross example of "portable"  bag phones.

I still don't regret the space and time  they would of taken up in my life.  It would probably be worth good money sold by the piece on eBay today. It would of made a nice display for a phone museum.
Keep in mind this collection was all pre brick portable  phones. Pre brick portables were radio telephones and early cell phones. These were high dollar items when new.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 11, 2020, 09:11:30 PM
I still have a couple of MicroTac phones, a 3G Razr and a Razr 2.  I guess they ain't going to start working again.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 14, 2020, 06:10:28 AM
Found this one on Facebook Marketplace for $75.00 CDN.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 14, 2020, 07:38:12 AM
Was that even a real phone?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: ..... on November 14, 2020, 08:16:46 AM
Quote from: Doug Rose on November 14, 2020, 07:38:12 AM
Was that even a real phone?

The Lamp Collector Group (LCG) are ticked off because someone turned a lamp into a phone! LOL  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Doug Rose on November 14, 2020, 08:34:16 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 14, 2020, 08:43:14 AM
Here is what was a nice phone converted into a lamp. Check out that OTT shade, looks like it was done quite some time ago.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Pourme on November 15, 2020, 09:18:15 AM
Quote from: Duffy on November 14, 2020, 08:16:46 AM
The Lamp Collector Group (LCG) are ticked off because someone turned a lamp into a phone! LOL  :o

Makes me laugh every time I read it..... ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 18, 2020, 01:49:46 PM
The lampshade on this poor old converted telephone so large the seller couldn't fit it all in the photo.  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 18, 2020, 02:10:27 PM
The lampshades on those poor phones look as good as one on a partying drunk.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 18, 2020, 04:44:19 PM
Quote from: 19and41 on November 18, 2020, 02:10:27 PM
The lampshades on those poor phones look as good as one on a partying drunk.

;D ;D  Ha! Very good. I must remember that quip. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 21, 2020, 05:04:40 AM
Two more ugly Frankenlamps (my name for them ;D).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 21, 2020, 05:14:55 AM
 :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 21, 2020, 05:17:35 AM
This first one reminds me of the 'Mud Demon' (Chronicles of Riddick).  :o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 21, 2020, 07:51:04 AM
....and the award for ugliest Lamp Phone Attrocity of the week goes to...

FrankenLampMugPhone.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on April 30, 2021, 02:39:42 PM
A really nice ivory phone ruined.  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: countryman on April 30, 2021, 03:36:06 PM
Herr cusbas (https://www.ebay.de/usr/cusbas) and a handful of more phone destroyers found this "innovative" way to maximize their profits on a difficult market. "Cutaway models" are also their specialty (cut off chipped corners and call it a rare educational model).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 05, 2021, 03:58:44 AM
 :-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on May 05, 2021, 07:44:30 AM
Every time I see one of these ruinations, it makes me wonder how irretrievable the phone is and how much trouble it took to spoil it.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on June 08, 2021, 04:03:46 AM
Why throw paint over one phone when you can throw it over four.
Then turn them into lamps.
:o
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on June 08, 2021, 09:24:55 AM
 :P
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on October 07, 2021, 04:00:26 AM
 :(

...but we can take solace in that at least the last mismatched conversion (third image below) is a later copy.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on October 07, 2021, 12:23:20 PM
I'm guessing people stay awake at night thinking of these be hideous creations ?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on October 07, 2021, 01:28:21 PM
I hope they do.  They deserve to.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on October 07, 2021, 01:56:39 PM
Lol, yea your right!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Jim Stettler on October 07, 2021, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: FABphones on June 08, 2021, 04:03:46 AM
Why throw paint over one phone when you can throw it over four.
Then turn them into lamps.
:o


I may of bought these phones after the paint job, but before the conversion. Some folks don't know when to stop 'improving" things.
Jim
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on October 07, 2021, 10:26:43 PM
I have to say, I knew an old phone guy who appreciated old phones.
He had a old stick phone turned into a lamp by telephone pioneers, but it was done in such away that it could be changed back by un soldering the shade nipple from the top on the stick, and remove the lamp cord.
Every thing else was left in the phone, they added a switch to the shaft so the light would turn on the light when the receiver was taken off hook.

That's the one thing he was very happy about in that conversion.
He received it as an award for service I believe, it's been thirty years since, so my memory is not that sharp.
I would have loved to had that after he passed, but his son who also worked for the company got it.

So I have to wonder are these "creations" able to be returned for the most part back to the original phone.

I'd say frankly I doubt it, because they may find those parts are in the way.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on November 10, 2021, 07:23:11 AM
Here is another 'upcycle'. A French Violin Telephone dating from the early 1900's.
Lampshade not quite so old...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on November 10, 2021, 01:29:09 PM
Lamps like that have all the practicality of lighting one's cigar with a $100 bill.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MADhouseTelephone on November 13, 2021, 11:07:44 PM
I'll just put this here:
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on November 26, 2021, 07:30:50 AM
The height of stupidity.  There are plenty of classic lamps around.  Why do they love to destroy classic phones?

Mike
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on November 26, 2021, 09:38:18 AM
Ahhh! A chrome payphone!!??
The odasity, who in the world would want a chrome AE table lamp in their living room...
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on November 26, 2021, 12:57:28 PM
An oddball, probably a yuppie who doesn't appreciate anything that isn't new and Japanese.

Mike
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Key2871 on November 26, 2021, 01:19:32 PM
Or made in China.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 09, 2022, 03:40:52 AM
Beautiful phone. Really ugly lamp phone.  :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: 19and41 on March 09, 2022, 06:57:43 AM
It'd be interesting to see the other items destroyed by these "craftsmen and women".  Such talent can;t be wasted on just telephones.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on March 09, 2022, 10:01:14 AM
When ever I see that blue 302, I want to do something violent.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on April 16, 2022, 09:41:56 AM
Nothing lost here, it's an ITT phone. Housing looks painted. A bit pricey and ringer (maybe more of the internals) have been removed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294928819605
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on July 20, 2022, 12:22:19 AM
I saw this sell today on Ebay as a buy-it-now. 
Federal split shaft, converted into lamp.  It looks like the receiver and swichhook were removed, along with the innards of the transmitter.
A scarce early candlestick converted into a scarce early lamp.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204042796262
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RDPipes on July 20, 2022, 08:17:17 AM
Just makes ya wanna scream don't it? We'll at least there isn't a set of them.........that we know about.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: SUnset2 on August 24, 2022, 12:08:56 AM
How about a lamp made to look like a phone converted into a lamp?

No phones were harmed in the making of this lamp.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155131063994
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RDPipes on August 24, 2022, 06:30:20 AM
Not bad but, the shade is hideous, LOL!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Etienne on August 26, 2022, 12:16:23 PM
PTT 1924 with vomiting bulb.

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/154853937596
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 26, 2022, 01:44:41 PM
Quote from: RDPipes on August 24, 2022, 06:30:20 AMNot bad but, the shade is hideous, LOL!

I agree. I did a lot of lamp shade searching when restoring the lamp phones I acquired (each of which had a hideous lamp shade).

I found the most esthetically pleasing shade form is one where the bottom diameter is about the same as the handset length, the top diameter is about half the bottom diameter, the height of the lamp shade is about equal to the height of the phone itself, the lamp pipe holding the bulb and shade should put the bottom of the shade about an inch or two above the handset (no more than that) and the color of the shade should be dark grey with about 10-15% light transparency to best show off the phone and light the room and still illuminate the shade when doing so.

All that turns a hideous lamp phone into one with art deco class (BTW, I've never drilled out or turned a phone into a lamp, make lamp phones, I just buy the those ugly beasts and make them look a whole lot better than received - and they don't come up for sale much anymore).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on August 26, 2022, 05:49:29 PM
I quite like the one above, but I will add mine to this thread. One of two which I purchased that were already phone-lamps:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=25418

The other I returned to how it would have looked when issued, this one I tidied up, replaced the old plastic electrical cords with some more in keeping with it's design, salvaged the few parts which were good to save other phones, removed the incorrect parts, and used parts on this that would unlikely see a working phone again - but it hasn't grown on us.

Despite having no working interior and having been brassed out (not by me) the temptation is strong to remove it's silly hat and at the very least turn it into a display piece.

:-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on August 26, 2022, 07:17:47 PM
Yes, I posted a profile for putting a shade on a D1.

Your stick shade is perfect, follows my proportions. The bottom diameter is about the same as the base diameter, the height is about the height of the stick and it starts right at the top of the stick. The cylinder shade matches the stick's profile. Balanced it out nicely.

I think a tapered shade would look "funny" on top of that stick.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on August 26, 2022, 09:33:06 PM
Quote from: SUnset2 on August 24, 2022, 12:08:56 AMHow about a lamp made to look like a phone converted into a lamp?...
Way better than destroying a real phone.

Mike
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Etienne on January 24, 2023, 06:45:32 PM
Quote from: SUnset2 on August 24, 2022, 12:08:56 AMHow about a lamp made to look like a phone converted into a lamp?

Well, some actually did it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292483747900
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: RDPipes on January 24, 2023, 08:25:50 PM
That's worse looking then one really made out of a phone.
There's an old saying about buying two hats that relates to this lamp but, I won't go into details.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: MMikeJBenN27 on January 24, 2023, 10:14:09 PM
Messed up!  I am looking for another one of those!

Mike
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TransparentTrimline on January 25, 2023, 08:05:19 AM
Are these supposed to make me irrationally angry, but also make me want one just because its just horrid?
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on January 25, 2023, 08:59:45 AM
Welcome to the forum, Shane. for my part I would put this kind of atrocity back in the state it was before being transformed into a lamp .
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Robert Gift on January 27, 2023, 07:51:32 AM
I wouldo would do this if I can keep the payphone operational.

(http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=240174;image)

Am despoiling an AT&T desk phone. 

Have secured the lamp shafto shaft to the telephone's metal base.  (Just misses the ringer's clapper.)

Shaft continues up through the telephone case behind the cradle. 

Now trying to find a lightbulb socketo socket to attach to the top of the shaft.

The working telephone lamp will replace the desk lamp while also saving space!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Contempra on January 27, 2023, 08:57:26 AM
You know , these payphones sell for crazy prices very often! So , I would never turn a vintage phone into a lamp or a payphone knowing what it's worth .

If one day I buy this kind of atrocity , you know well that I would put it back in its original state or , at the very least , I would get rid of the pieces of lamps . instead of transforming this (s) jewel (s) into a lamp , he would sit on a beautiful little piece of furniture just for him . It hurts the eyes to see this kind of atrocity just as much as it does to see human atrocities in this world . It's just my personal opinion .
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Robert Gift on January 27, 2023, 04:33:50 PM
If there are many thousands of these payphones, I would try to run a lamp shaft up againsthe against the back. (Metal screws through the lamp shaft securing ito it to the back causing damage but as little damage as possible.)

Not drilling a hole in the top of the ITT desk phone I am working on.  (WE base and handset)

I would wanthe want the pay phone working.

Could it be made to require coins even though connected touresidentialine to our residential line?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 02, 2023, 01:51:47 AM
Complete with oversized Pina Colada umbrella. Yours for $1,150.00 (plus shipping).
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HowardPgh on March 02, 2023, 10:14:07 AM
RE:#901
You don't need to plug this in, just turn the crank for light. Ideal for blackouts.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Robert Gift on March 02, 2023, 10:01:02 PM
Quote from: HowardPgh on March 02, 2023, 10:14:07 AMRE:#901
You don't need to plug this in, just turn the crank for light. Ideal for blackouts.
I would not have damaged a rare telephone.
If the lamp extended from a plate on which the telephone rested, that would be fine.

Would be great if one could charge a battery through cranking and have an LED light for w while.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on March 09, 2023, 04:35:26 PM
Now that's a hat!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on March 09, 2023, 04:38:44 PM
I feel sorry for that poor phone  :'(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: AL_as_needed on April 26, 2023, 08:07:07 PM
Looks like one of the lady's in the back of church service left her hat on the phone  ;D
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 16, 2023, 05:39:22 PM
Not one but two.
 :(
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: TelePlay on May 16, 2023, 06:31:54 PM
Triple damage . . .

(phone, helmet liner & price)

and not attractive.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 16, 2023, 08:02:29 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on May 16, 2023, 06:31:54 PMTriple damage . . .
:o

Now that really is a Hideous Phone.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: FABphones on May 31, 2023, 10:32:25 AM
Another throw it down smash it up style phone to lamp conversation.
There goes another GPO No10 dial. It turns the light on and off now.
Sigh.
:-\
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Kellogg Kitt on June 01, 2023, 02:03:42 PM
At least that one is innovative, putting the lamps in the mouthpiece and earpiece.  I have never seen that before!  But I hate to see it anyway.  It is a shame to ruin a phone.

Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: allnumbedup on June 20, 2023, 09:24:47 AM
Here is a sort of reverse atrocity.  I found this lamp creation hiding behind a Kellogg partial stick in a box lot but did not expect much at all from it. Turns out that the base is a pretty nice SC stick with a nickel plated and patent dated base ring.  It also has a base cover and a fiber grommet for the cord exit hole on the base. The neat part is that the lamp socket is a fairly desirable Hubbell socket with an acorn pull. The bottom of the socket had it's stem cut off and the lower perch of the SC stick was jammed into it. This ruined the bottom of the socket but saved the SC parts from damage. It must have been an older conversion into a lamp because these two parts were held together with about a pound of solder layered inside to base of the lamp socket. I melted them apart with a heat gun to liquify the solder and intend to use parts for both phone and lamp restoration. (the stick was painted black over yellow over original nickel and black). Also of note is that an old and maybe original green cloth cord was wired to the socket to carry 120V to the lamp.
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: allnumbedup on June 20, 2023, 09:35:03 AM
Parts liberated from lamp phone purgatory
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: HarrySmith on June 20, 2023, 01:24:49 PM
Quite a mess. Good luck on the restoration. It is always good to see one brought back. Please keep updating us on the progress!
Title: Re: Lamp Phone Atrocities!
Post by: Westrex on March 11, 2024, 07:07:00 PM
Somebody turned an Automatic Electric Type 80 telephone into a light  :( . At least the rotary dial turns the light on though.

E-Bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/235397471140

Also, somebody turned a Kellogg 1000 into a lamp.

E-Bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/204519752670

And, someone turned a WE 500 into a lamp (probably the same person who did the AE 80)

E-Bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/235397475052