Obtaining an item that has been tops on the want list is a real emotional roller coaster, even more so if it has been on the list for a long time and has been driving you nuts, seemingly forever. For me, the AUTOVON Card Dialer fits that category to a tee. I had been searching for one of these elusive phones for literally more than 40 years. Came close once or twice in the past, but never managed to score until last year. When it finally happened, I could hardly believe it, even as it stared directly at me from across the table. The number of these phones that I positively know exist can be counted on just one hand. Truly a rarity. I'm still in awe of the amazing set of events that led me to it (and the large dent it made in my bank account). But now that some time has passed, it feels like "just another phone in the collection", and I'm ready to obsess about something else (my avatar, e.g.).
Let's see, what could possibly be next? Hmmm.... How about a clear 302, pink 2565 Keyset or Card Dialer, mahogany 554 or AE 34. For every item we manage to cross off the list, two or three more are sure to get added. Nope, we'll never get bored.
My holy grails are a little bit more contemporary. I'd love to own an older-button-style rotary dial Western Electric Call Director. If it was red, then I could die happy. Someday, I'd also like to own a Western Electric card dialer, and a Western Electric 16-button autovon phone.
Dave, here's one I dug up just a couple of months ago. Not red, but still a winner! PS: Card Dialers appear frequently on eBay. Unless you are waiting for a rare color, you shouldn't have a huge problem crossing that off your list.
Dave F.