Rare 1920s Western Electric Candlestick 151 AL W/ Dial & Coin Box W/ Key
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:20573772 | Brand: Western Electric |
| Featured Refinements: Candlestick Telephone | Modified Item: No |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
A beautiful working Western Electric Candlestick phone with dial and coin box. The coin box comes with the key to remove the coins. The coin was not required for the phone to operate so it was an honor system to defray the cost for allowing phone use to the public. The original decal on the coin box is mostly readable, though the top line is obscured which stated: "Courtesy Pays". The readable part says: "Local Call 5c Courtesy Coin Box Co. Detroit, Mich. Patent Pending". The di...al also has its original label which states: "Telephone Travel-Fast-Economical" and "Call Long Distance". Since this was not a true coin operated phone one must presume that operator assisted long distance calls would be paid directly to proprietor who owned the phone or place the required amount in the coin box on the honor system.The phone is in excellent condition; no scratches, chips, dents or other damage on either the metal or bakelite components. The only very slight wear is to the black enamel on the post that holds the transmitter which shows the metal is brass. This would have been where people would have held onto the phone to pick it up or steady it. Other than that it is perfect. The dial works smoothly. The coin box has a little more wear and the paint is slightly chipped around the edges while the box and mounting bracket remain in good, solid condition. It sort of adds character to the phone rather than diminishing it. Though it does not have a ringer it has a mini-network installed so that it could be used today as an extension phone. Aside from the new cord lines, all the parts are original. Truly a great addition to a collection or a nice, unique conversation piece.
