Comments on: Need old dial phones

Question: Need old dial phones

AstroGuy — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:33:16 -0800

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).

By: wsg

wsg — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:40:35 -0800

There's always ebay, but the era may not fit exactly.

By: clarahamster

clarahamster — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:40:38 -0800

my brother got one on ebay.

By: Triode

Triode — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:41:40 -0800

Does it need to be an Automatic Electric Model 40? You may have better luck looking for a Western Electric Model 302 or 500.

By: grumblebee

grumblebee — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:45:08 -0800

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.

By: chiababe

chiababe — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 14:48:54 -0800

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.

By: adamrice

adamrice — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 15:01:19 -0800

I know this is going to seem obvious, but...oldphones.com.

By: jdroth

jdroth — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 15:21:55 -0800

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.

By: eschatfische

eschatfische — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:12:47 -0800

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.

By: AstroGuy

AstroGuy — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:58:09 -0800

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.

By: tozturk

tozturk — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 20:34:37 -0800

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.