RARE 501, 9/52 BELL SYSTEM WESTERN ELCTRIC TELEPHONE

[Doug Rose]

For the 500 challenged, what is a 501. Dated 9/52...Doug


http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-501-9-52-BELL-SYSTEM-WESTERN-ELCTRIC-TELEPHONE-/320639861488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa7a002f0

[Dennis Markham]

Doug, did you add the colors or is it just my monitor that makes this look like something from the late 1960's?

You can see the 500 variations, including the 501 on Paul's site here:

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm

[paul-f]

...and from a discussion in another topic (perhaps when discussing Dan's early 500 set), it was pointed out that we can learn a lot by looking at the bottom plate.

In this case, note the hex head on the left side of the photo (opposite the handset cord entry).  It holds the bracket for the tube mentioned in the chart.

(Often these were removed if sets were converted to 500Ds.  Then we usually see some scraping to the paint around the hole, telling us the tube had previously been there.)

[added second photo]

[Doug Rose]

Doug, did you add the colors or is it just my monitor that makes this look like something from the late 1960's?

You can see the 500 variations, including the 501 on Paul's site here:

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm

Dennis....photos are fine on my desk top and get colorized in up loading. I just tried to modify them twice. Far out!!

[Dennis Markham]

Paul, regarding your photos I see penciled initials.  I often see pencil marks either on the bottom or inside the phone.  Maybe at check-points made by the installer.  Do you know if in fact that's why those marks were put on some of these phones?  I see initials or check marks on the backs of dials, the bells and even on the chassis, inside and out.  (I know it's off topic from the discussion of the 501).

[jsowers]

I've seen those grease pencil marks too, and especially on the older 554s near the date stamp. See the attached picture.

And I like Doug's psychadelic colors, man. Like peacock feathers.

[HarrySmith]

I also have seen that on many phones. I never paid much attention to them but like you assumed it was the installer or refurbishers way of marking his work.

[Kenny C]

I had a mark on my 11-55 set it was a sloppy "A"

[Dennis Markham]

That opens up a whole new world of telephone collecting.  Try and see how many sets one can accumulate with the same installer/assembler's initials.

[JorgeAmely]

That opens up a whole new world of telephone collecting.  Try and see how many sets one can accumulate with the same installer/assembler's initials.

Ok Dennis. In my next life ....

PS: Unless I come back as a rock.

[paul-f]

I've seen them too, but have not yet found a BSP that mentions them! 

[AE_Collector]

Doug, did you add the colors or is it just my monitor that makes this look like something from the late 1960's?

The Colors...The Colours (Canadian Spelling)...

Telephone Art apparently. The background of the second picture looks like a watercolor.

Terry

[Tribune]

Dennis....photos are fine on my desk top and get colorized in up loading. I just tried to modify them twice. Far out!!

And there was me thinking it was the brownies I just ate. . .  I'll just go back to listening to Hendrix

[Kenny C]

I found another mark on my 1959 Gray 500