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Lot 74:
Description
A wall mounted telephone of British General Post Office style featuring a tiered wooden cabinet and backboard. The unit is fitted with twin external brass ringer gongs at the top. The front panel includes a fixed transmitter with a brass housing and a black composition funnel shaped mouthpiece. Below the transmitter is a rotary dial with a brass toned finger plate and white numerical inserts. The centre of the dial contains a paper insert with printed instructions stating IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY DIAL 0 and FOR OTHER INFORMATION SEE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY. A separate handheld receiver with a wooden handle and brass fittings rests on a metal hook switch and is connected to the main body by a brown braided fabric cord. The brass plate behind the mouthpiece is stamped with the characters S-25 and 400/No.
Condition report:
The wooden cabinet and backboard show visible signs of age including surface scratches, abrasions, and wear to the finish with noticeable crazing to the varnish. The lower section of the backboard exhibits filled holes and surface scarring from previous mounting. The brass components including the bells, transmitter housing, and dial plate show a heavy aged patina with areas of oxidation and minor surface pitting. The braided fabric cord remains intact but shows fraying consistent with age. The internal mechanisms are untested and the item is sold as a historical collectible.
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