MONOPHONE 1928 DIAL TELEPHONE " A BRASS & BLACK GEM!" 80 years old never looked so Gorgeous, USA Made-CHICAGO Start Price USD 9.00 Current Price USD 234.50 Time Left - Bid Count 13 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, August 23, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Location BOSTON, MA See more about 'MONOPHONE 1928 DIAL TELEPHONE " A BRASS & BLACK GEM!"' Description Here at The OLDE BOSTON TELEPHONE COMPANY WE Are Again Proud to be offering for auction This 80 Year Old , Award wining for its design during its time. The Is a MONOPHONE , Probably THEE most attractive of any telephone ever made.  This Model telephone did indeed win perhaps more awards foor it styling at County fairs , State Fairs, National Exhibitions ans Even World Fair  than any other telephone ever produced!  A little History! Automatic Electric, The largest of all Independent producers or telephones and related equipment in the 1900's , Got it early start in the late 1800's .  Mr . Strowger invented the  Rotary dial  and the Company with Mr. Strowger invention became as  The Automatic Electric became then the Company inventing the rotary dial. Automatic Electric because no One just needed to pick up the receiver and need no operator and get their part "automatically" Well in those days not always and only in Large Urban Centers Like Chicago, NYC, or Boston..AS years went on an switching equipment became more popular other cities and regions could use a Dial Telephone . Ofcourse before that , folks had to pick up the receiver , Hi Sarah, Sally or whomever the local operator get me Mr or Mrs X. Please!  Yes ,for sure the 1920's In large Urban areas was a great time for the Telephones , as It went From Both Candlestick To Cradle  Styles  Urban Areas From NON-Dial To DIAL!  You will see on occasion on re-runs of the Great Show " Andy of Mayberry , Their Non-dial candlestick phones , yet you see the cars of the 50's outside. In rural area Switching  equipment wasn't ready to service small villages and rural communities . It took time from place like Chicago to the charming ( we believe ) town of  Mayberry.  NOW for the name "Monephone" Came  From This Model Type design , although there were a few variations. Prior to this Cradle type telephone there was the Old Candlestick phone where the Receiver ( ear Piece) and transmitter (Piece to speak into) were in two different places. Noe For the First time esp. in America The RECEIVER & TRANSMITTER WE TOGETHER in "ONE" easy  ( albeit in todays standards heavy) To hold  PIECE!  They called it a "handset" .. Ok enough history.  About this Gem Piece. There might be shadows in the Photos , Bts thats all there are , There is not a Crack or Chip to be found anywhere on This Most Vintage of Pieces!  And further more Please look at all photos , The Phone is made of Brass, Bakelite and Metal. Very Solid!  Lets start with the handset . MOST Beautiful!! The old horned-style mouthpiece with  Original Brass Rings around  both end , (originally most these were painted) They were brought Down to the brass For a beautiful contrast  as they were special ordered in many case!   Both Elements , the original transmitter % transmitter are inside , intact  in very good condition and will work if you want the Phone to. Secondly the DIAL, The invention of this maker, Is in Fantastic  condition, ( well I think A.E. made these dial too last 250 years?? It dials smoothly and reracts just as Smoothly , Notice the Automatic LOGO dial center , and the Original Older version Porcelain  (numbers Only) dial plate!. thirdly, and not to forgotten is The important switch mechanism which is both simple m but bery needed. as One places the handset dowm to effect a Cut in the Circuit so a Call could come in , Then Pick up the handset effecting a Completion of the circuit so your phone conversation can be had! .Notice the Original Wiring diagram ,a Bit of water stained but stillin Nice original  Form . , This Phone can definately be made to work as all componant are there as is the diagram , However No ringer, a simple one could be had for $10-15 more!  We had this Phone working  Out west ,  but changed external plug system m so need new plug and should work, if not we can get it done or let you know where to get the simple rewire for it! ....This is a Museum  quality piece if you EVER wanted to own own , The last Of the round base Models! After these model came the rectangular phones that many of us grow up with in the 60' thru 80's. So Not so much and Antique , we would say.  The is An All-AMERICAN BEAUTY made in CHICAGO in  the roaring Twenties , Never will happen again! ... We start the bidding at this low  ( ridiculous Amount ) NO reserve at all since it will be exposed on Ebay and Worldwide For a FULL TEN DAYS! If you Must have it OK!  Buy it Now  only $850.  But somehow it more of an auction with Bids ,, So good luck to All!  Place a Bid!