Need old dial phones

September 20, 2005 2:33 PM

Where can I find old dial telephones like these? They don't need to work at all (play props for The Front Page) and they need to be really cheap (~$20).
posted by AstroGuy to grab bag (10 comments total)

There's always ebay, but the era may not fit exactly.
posted by wsg at 2:40 PM on September 20, 2005

my brother got one on ebay.
posted by clarahamster at 2:40 PM on September 20, 2005

Does it need to be an Automatic Electric Model 40? You may have better luck looking for a Western Electric Model 302 or 500.
posted by Triode at 2:41 PM on September 20, 2005

AstroGuy, I don't have a specific answer to your question but I've found odd props for plays before by Googling. I enter searches like "old phones collection" or "'my collection' telephones." On the web, it's easy to find someone who collects ANYTHING. Once you find the person, email him and tell him you're trying to find phones for your play. See if he'll loan them to you.

A total stranger recently loaned me an antique toy for a play. I put his name in the program (I sent him a copy) and took a photo with the actors standing around his toy -- and he was THRILLED!

Morals: people love it when someone values their collection. People like helping out with theatre productions.
posted by grumblebee at 2:45 PM on September 20, 2005

I've seen similar phones at local antique stores for next to nothing. Or try hitting up some yard sales or flea markets on Saturday.
posted by chiababe at 2:48 PM on September 20, 2005

I know this is going to seem obvious, but...oldphones.com.
posted by adamrice at 3:01 PM on September 20, 2005

If you actually want to buy old phones like these, though, you may be in trouble. When we moved into a c1900 house last summer, I made it a quest to find a nice old phone. They're easy to find (the best source is antique stores — they're all over antique stores), but they're not as cheap as you need. (Unlike chiababe, I haven't seen them for "next to nothing".) You can get one for maybe $50 if you look long and hard. I'm sure there are other places that might have them cheaper: junk shops and the like.

But grumblebee's idea is brilliant. Try that route first.
posted by jdroth at 3:21 PM on September 20, 2005

It never hurts to check the local thrift stores for cheap old telephones -- while slightly newer than what would be appropriate for The Front Page, Western Electric 500 rotaries can often be found under $20 at thrifts, and you might even be able to find something older.
posted by eschatfische at 4:12 PM on September 20, 2005

Thanks for all the replies. The link provided was just an example of the era. All they need to be is black, rotary desk phones that look old. A WE Model 500 is probably a bit more modern looking than the director wants, but we could get by with them.
posted by AstroGuy at 7:58 PM on September 20, 2005

If you're still looking for them..

My parents have about 5 and still use them..

If you're still looking for them and are willing to cover shipping costs, I'll send them your way.

Just e-mail me.
posted by tozturk at 8:34 PM on September 20, 2005