My 1954 WE 500 in aqua Blue!

[markosjal]

I found this phone on craigslist for just $35.

It is dated 1954 and have not confirmed dates inside yet. I thought my `1957(?) Aqua Blue that I won here was the oldest colored phone I had seen. Now I have an older one!

Images from crasigslist post which is here (while it remains)
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/clt/d/portland-vintage-blue-dial-phone/7287642117.html ( dead link 04-06-21 )

[Stormcrash]

Very nice find! Color looks great too. I've noticed that on older sets like this the spiral on the spring cord goes the other way. Bell System movies and photos from the 50's have that too, does anyone know what year they changed the spiral direction?

[poplar1]

Craigslist link: "This posting has been deleted by its author."

Aqua blue was not introduced until late 1957, even if your base is dated 1954. Neoprene feet were introduced in 1958.

[Jim Stettler]

That is a nice find for a nice price.
You should put it in the April2021 Find of the Month.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=25071.0
JMO,
Jim

[oldguy]

Beautiful phone & great price, congratulations.

[markosjal]

BTW I found this open in a tab in my browser and was able to take a screenshot
(attached)

Base, inside plastic has stamped in red "10 10 59 3" which I assume means the date is 1959 and possibly 10/1959. The handset apparently has a 59 date as well.

What this means is that I now have TWO of this same color phone a 1958 and a 1959 (with 1954 components)


If anyone is interested in this one, make me an offer.

Mark

+1 503 489 7870 USA
+44 0207 855 2992 UK
2347131 NPSTN

[Babybearjs]

I love the blue.... still looking for a 564 in that color....

[MMikeJBenN27]

Color plastic phones came out during 1940 - officially 1941, but 1940 examples have been found, - and the 500 was offered in 4 colors starting in 53, ivory, green, red, and dark grey, 4 more in 54, dark blue, yellow, brown, and dark beige, for a total of 8 colors.  In 1957, aqua blue replaced dark blue, light grey replaced dark grey, and light beige replaced dark beige, and a little later, white replaced ivory.

Mike

[poplar1]

Both white (dash 58) and pink (-59) were available in 1957. I disagree that white replaced ivory.

[MMikeJBenN27]

Didn't they drop ivory shortly after introducing white?

[SUnset2]

As a few data points, I have both a white and an ivory 500 from 1957, another ivory 500 from 1964, and moving into Touch-tone a white 1500 from 1966 and an ivory 2500 from 1969.

[MMikeJBenN27]

Guess you learn something every day!