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A few weeks
ago, John and I attended an Estate auction in
our small town of Milaca MN where we won this
fantastic old telephone. John worked for a time
with the man’s widow, but never knew her
husband had some nice old phones. This
gentleman worked for a small local telephone
company, and when he saw an "interesting
phone", he’d bring it home and put it in his
barn. Anyway, the hay rack was loaded with the
common Stromberg Carlson stick phones with bell
boxes. There was also a nickel WE stick (which
we also won.) Also, there were a few different
desk phones, such as WE 102, 202, 302, an AE40
and a few others. The wood phones were the
interesting ones, though. A Kellogg fiddle back
and a CTPFF marked "Hercules". Also many coin
boxes and glass insulators.
This wood
phone we won has a tag on the phone identifying
it as being "Manufactured by The National
Automatic Tel. Co. Chicago".
Not ever
hearing of this company, I went to Knappen’s
"History and Identification of Old Telephones"
and found it.
There is
a photo of an earlier model made in 1898, and
our model from 1901. In the ad for the earlier
model it says: "Automatic Telephone, Central
Exchange. We make 20 different styles of
telephones. They are easy to operate, require
no hello girls. Reliable and durable. You can
not afford to buy new equipment without first
consulting us. Example: To call 1592, remove
receiver, turn pointer to 1, and let it return,
then to 5, then to 6 and then to 2. Ring as
usual. The Bell will not ring on a BUSY LINE."
The ad picturing our phone says:"Do You Want a
service that is quick and true? To escape from
the dependence upon the pleasure of central
operator? The same speedy service by night and
by day? An investment that is safe and
profitable? Use the National Automatic
Telephone." In Knappen’s "Price Guide" it’s
quite interesting to see the value of the phone
at the time this book was published. Under the
column "How many exist" the answer is 2. I
suppose ours is the 3rd known to
exist. Knappen wrote the average value is $278,
and the highest imaginable bid would be $600!
This
phone has a little loss of stain and a crack in
the bottom box with a poor attempt at repair,
but otherwise it is in great shape. The OST
receiver’s only marking is the numbers on the
top "2874558". The transmitter arm has a great
pinstripe and knurled nut and is marked
"Patented Feb. 28 1892". The transmitter
faceplate is marked with the numbers "1964974"
and the back cup states "Property of the
American Bell Telephone Company NY" and"
Patented Feb.24.85. July 9.89. Nov. 17.91.
Nov.1.92. The phone has steer horn hooks. The
cords are in wonderful condition. Inside the
box there is a red 3 bar magneto, but there are
no identifying marks at all.
Does
anyone have any more information on this
telephone company, or any knowledge of this
phone? I’m a bit confused because the first
automatic dial was Strowger’s, I thought, yet
where does this one fit in? Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
John
and Val
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