FOR SALE: Huge Collection of Mid-century Phones, Parts, and Networking Equipment

[travelrobb]

My dad was a longtime collector of Bell phones, parts, and associated hardware from his home in central Iowa. I believe he began collecting in the '50s and continued through at least the '80s or '90s. He had a special interest in commercial and industrial applications so he ended up with a lot of key systems, exchange gear, and a lot of the associated infrastructure, in addition to scores of mid-century phones — 500s, wall phones, Princesses, Trimlines and more. I think he secretly wanted to be in the supply business so that's how he collected: in addition to disassembling many of his phones, he also managed to acquire various spare parts, many of which are still in their original boxes.

Please feel free to take a look at the catalog, with links to pictures here. I still haven't settled exactly on how to sell this collection. My preference is a single transaction for everything. However, I'm open to parting out the collection by box or boxes if that makes economic and logistical sense. In most cases – unless this somehow works out to a series of smaller sales – the buyer(s) will be responsible for picking up the equipment in central Iowa. (I think selling individual pieces would be impossible.)

So with that in mind, feel free to get in touch with offers and suggestions. And feel free to share this catalog liberally. Again, if anyone here can recommend dealers who'd have the wherewithal to buy the whole collection, please let me know.

Moderators, apologies if this is in the wrong forum. Feel free to move it.

[MMikeJBenN27]

The best way to sell these, as far as I know, is through E-Bay.  You might be able to sell an entire box as a lot, but I don't think you can sell all of these at once.  Not that many people can afford to spend that much all at once.

Mike

[HarrySmith]

The best way to sell all this would be to auction it. Phone collectors may find some of it very useful. One of the members of the phone clubs has an auction house. He specializes in selling phone collections. His name is Barry. Here is the info:

Freeland Auction Services, LLC
(989) 878-3308
Alternate: (989) 878-2487
5868 Midland Rd
Freeland, MI 48623