My Dad's 40 Years with Illinois Bell and his "Collection"

[Dave F]

<snip>...What do the autovon cards look like? Just curious, you never know if I come across it.
Thanks
Maureen

Hi Maureen,

Thanks for asking.  Boy, wouldn't that be something if you found some of those!  Not too likely, as these were only used by the military -- unless your dad also did telco work on military bases.

The phone is called an AUTOVON Card Dialer, similar to more common commercial Card Dialers made by WECo, but it uses different cards.  The special AUTOVON cards (see pic below) are made from white-colored plastic, are about the size of playing cards, and have letters and a star (as well as numbers) printed on them.  As far as I can tell, none have ever been found, and the picture below has been Photoshopped to show what they look like.

FYI, AUTOVON is an acronym for AUTOmatic VOice Network, a 1960s-70s military communication system.  While not as rare as Picturephones, all AUTOVON relics are very difficult to find and are highly prized by those of us who collect them.

It was very nice of you to ask -- Thanks again!

Dave

[MagicMo]

Hello All,
I got a few small things I found that I think are cool. I have not gone through everything yet. Still trucking along though. Check out the strike posters! One is cloth one is cardboard. I love the Snoopy bumper sticker!!!
~Maureen

[MagicMo]

more pics

[MagicMo]

more

[david@london]

amazing photos maureen.......... you really have got a great collection there.

what's the big bell system wooden thing ?
looks to me like a yacht's rudder handle.

[Russ Kirk]

amazing photos maureen.......... you really have got a great collection there.

what's the big bell system wooden thing ?
looks to me like a yacht's rudder handle.

It is a tool to shape and bend  lead sheath cables for outside plant.  They are used on work on pole and in manholes.

[MagicMo]

Miscellaneous pics:

[MagicMo]

I have boxes full of street guides, directories, magazines and books. Here are just a few:
Thanks
~Maureen

[MagicMo]

Found this phone with a jack thingy on it.
Anyone know about it?
Thanks,
Mo

[Phonesrfun]

Looks like a headset jack for a 52 headset.

[Dave F]

Found this phone with a jack thingy on it.
Anyone know about it?
Thanks,
Mo

It's a jack/controller for a 1980s vintage Plantronics StarSet lightweight headset. There is (at least) one on eBay right now.  Click Here to see it.

DF

[MagicMo]

Found this phone with a jack thingy on it.
Anyone know about it?
Thanks,
Mo

It's a jack/controller for a 1980s vintage Plantronics StarSet lightweight headset. There is (at least) one on eBay right now.  Click Here to see it.

DF

Thanks! It's ugly, that's for sure.

[Greg G.]

Found this phone with a jack thingy on it.
Anyone know about it?
Thanks,
Mo

It's a jack/controller for a 1980s vintage Plantronics StarSet lightweight headset. There is (at least) one on eBay right now.  Click Here to see it.

DF

Thanks! It's ugly, that's for sure.

Be careful, you'll hurt it's feelings! 

[Dan/Panther]

Maureen;
They sell 1 inch thick pieces of those cables on eBay. I think they get a decent price for them.
D/P

[MagicMo]

Maureen;
They sell 1 inch thick pieces of those cables on eBay. I think they get a decent price for them.
D/P

Hi Dan,
I saw that. I thought about asking  my local deli to use their lunch meat slicer. LOL
Maureen