EARLY COIN OPERATED HOTEL PAY PHONE CIRCA 1899-1919 GRAY & WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY

IN PERFECT CONDITION AND READY TO PLUG INTO TELEPHONE CO MODULAR RJ11 JACK AND USEALL ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR NEW CLOTH RECEIVER, AND MODULAR LINE CORDRESTORED IN MY SHOPS. OVER 50 YEARS RESTORING ANTIQUE TELEPHONES
CONSTRUCTION: SOLID BRASS, STEEL AND HARD RUBBER
WESTERN ELECTRIC EARLY #4 DIAL SERVICED AND CALIBRATED ON DIGITAL EQUIPMENT

ALL SOLID BRASS POLISHED TO A MIRROR FINISH ON PROFESSIONAL MACHINES

COIN DRAWER HAS TWO MATCHING KEYS WITH NUMBERS SAME AS LOCK

EACH COIN MAKES DISTINCTIVE SOUND WHEN COIN IS DEPOSITED

INTERNAL BRASS RINGER PRODUCES PLEASANT SOUND WHEN CALLED

DIALS OUT, RINGS WHEN CALLED AND RECEIVES LIKE A MODERN TELEPHONE

SOUND FIDELITY RIVALS QUALITY MODERN TELEPHONE

The Gray Manufacturing Co was located in Hartford Ct. near the end of the 1800's. They developed the first successful and widely used coin collectors for public telephones. The Automatic Electric Co acquired the Gray Mfg Co and dominated the pay telephone industry. 

The instruction plate directs user not to deposit coins until the operator tells you to. There was no way to return coins at that early time. These collectors were used with non dial candlestick telephones. I attached a later dial type which is much more costly and allows it to make calls.

The nickel strikes a solid brass bell making a single ding sound when passing through the coin chute. A dime strikes the same bell and then pass to the other side and strikes it again making a ding ding sound. Quarter passes through another chute striking a spiral wire making a gong sound like some clocks use. Operators were trained to listen to the sounds and timing to determine the amount of money deposited.

Many variations of collectors were made and attached to different telephones. I think this one is the most interesting. This type was often used in hotels at the desk. It has a handle so the clerk could place it on the desk for guests to use. It was kept out of sight so it could not be stolen to get the coins.  Upscale dining rooms could bring the telephone to your table and plug it in.  A big deal at that time.

The solid brass dial candlestick telephone was originally painted black. Only important people like movie stars were provided a polished brass one. When I supplied over 60 phones for the Untouchable's a picture of Al Capone appeared showing him talking on a polished brass dial  candlestick. I sent one for the production. I can imagine the fate of a telephone representative telling Al he could not have one. This telephone has the pat dates on the right side of the bottom ending in 1918. It is an early production. Most have the dates in front ending 1920 & 1921.

The dial is an early #4 which makes a loud clicking sound that collectors like. The solid brass finger wheel is a special and very hard to find type that has a cut out for cleaning the porcelain number plate. An important feature for sanitizing a public telephone. 

You can own a rare historical telephone that will interest your guests, family, and friends. It is fun to demonstrate and explain the operation of this early instrument.

You are welcome to contact for more information. This is a serious investment so do not be reluctant to find out more. Call anytime: 714 582 2886   I am in my workshops most all of the time 7 days.

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