Auction 97: Walnut Automatic Electric 1A Monophone

[TelePlay]

Here's something a bit different for several reasons. It's a rare walnut AE 1A Monophone in both good and physically distressed condition (see listing and pictures) and it is the first walnut 1A in an auction contest.

It's a ten day auction with no reserve that started at one buck. It had 4 quick bids pushing it up to $3.25 so it seems the winner of this contest will most likely guess somewhere between $4 and $4,000. So, who knows the best guess on this one?

Seller listed it as a "Very Rare Automatic Electric Monophone AE 1A Phone - Walnut Color - NO RESERVE" and claims "The phone is as found condition. I have only superficial cleaned it. The overall condition is as seen in the photos. The body and Handset is in very good condition with no chips or cracks. The cradle is badly damaged. One of the wings is broken. It also has the bottom cover missing. The dial turns smoothly. The inside has the original cloth wires wiring. Please take look at the photos. I took several photos to see its condition. Please ask any question before bidding. The phone is sold "AS IS". "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321187909964

Shipping is a bit high at $66 but it is coming from Argentina from an established seller with a 100% Positive feedback rating.


S C O R E B O A R D

$222.00 - Doug Rose  ( 8 )
$300.00 - wds  ( 11 )
$350.00 - Kenton K  ( 10 )
$450.00 - AE40FAN  ( 2 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $430.00
$490.90 - K1WI  ( 13 )
$556.45 - TelePlay  ( 14 )
$622.00 - MagicMo  ( 4 )
$715.00 - AE_Collector  ( 1 )
$775.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 6 )
$832.00 - tallguy58  ( 5 )
$973.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 9 )
$1,025.00 - Russ Kirk  ( 7 )
$1,150.00 - southernphoneman  ( 3 )
$2,001.01 - HarrySmith  ( 12 )



Early Morning Auction Status Changes

8-17-13  Listed $1.00
8-18-13  4 bids $3.25
8-19-13  5 bids $26.00
8-20-13  6 bids $34.00
8-21-13  14 bids $102.50
8-22-13  15 bids $123.50 , ,
8-25-13  20 bids $160.50 ,
8-27-13  21 bids $160.50
8-27-13  8 bidders, 27 bids $430.00  Ended 14:30:48 PDT

[AE_Collector]

Looks like someone used a pipe wrench on the base of the cradle!

$715.00

Terry

[AE40FAN]

Looks like they will have to find a base and swap the cradle out.  Maybe swap it with a chrome one?  My guess is 450.00 and that's just a guess...

[AE_Collector]

Yes a chromed metal replacement cradle is the fix for this one. I know of a walnut 1A  that had the original bakelite cradle broken and it was replaced with a chrome cradle many years ago. Likely when these parts were still available from AE. Only screw up is that it is a gold trim 1A and now has a chrome cradle. Someone messed up when ordering or maybe a repair guy just happened to have a chrome one but not a gold one.

Terry

[southernphoneman]

$1150.00

[MagicMo]

$622 just a blind guess.

[AE_Collector]

and that's just a guess...

just a blind guess.

Not me...my entry IS the final selling price! No one take me seriously (as usual).

Terry

[tallguy58]

$832

[kleinkaliber]

I'll take a shot in the dark... $775.00.

[Russ Kirk]

$1025

[WesternElectricBen]

Can I do 999 or is their not a big enough gap?
Ben

[AE_Collector]

Ben:  Yes you need a bit bigger space between your guess and russ's guess. Minimum of 5% so at least $50(ish) lower than $1025.

Terry

[TelePlay]

Ben:  Yes you need a bit bigger space between your guess and russ's guess. Minimum of 5% so at least $50(ish) lower than $1025.

Terry

Ben, Terry is correct. You can guess anywhere between $873 and $973 and be at least 5% away from Russ Kirk in at $1,025 and tallguy58 in at $832, or some other amount 5% away from entered guesses. $999 is only 2.5% below Russ Kirk. Hope that helps.

[Doug Rose]

Beautiful phone, displays wonderfully, BUT it is missing a "wing." Such a shame

$222

[WesternElectricBen]

Okay thanks! Put me at 973.00
Ben