Lot 193: A Early 20th Century Wall Mounted Wooden Telephone
Sold for: £22
A wall mounted telephone featuring a rectangular wooden cabinet with a hinged lid and a shaped backboard. The device is fitted with a fixed black mouthpiece transmitter mounted on a metal bracket at the top, and a black handheld receiver earpiece resting on a metal hook switch to the left side. The lower section of the backboard supports a single large circular metal bell. A blank rectangular metal plate is affixed to the front of the wooden box with four screws. The unit includes several lengths of external wiring with textile and plastic insulation. No maker’s marks, signatures, or labels are visible on the item.
Height: 29 cm – 30.5 cm
Width: 14 cm
Depth: 15 cm – 18 cm.
Condition report:
The wooden cabinet shows significant wear to the finish, with multiple scuffs, scratches, and losses to the staining particularly evident along the edges and corners (photo 1). The metal bell and front plate exhibit heavy surface tarnish and patina throughout (photo 1). The transmitter bracket and receiver hook show surface oxidation and loss of original finish (photo 2). The external wiring is in poor condition, being frayed, cracked, and brittle with exposed inner conductors visible in several areas (photo 1). The internal components are untested.
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