Posted 8 years ago
Alchemy1949
(9 items)
My period phone speciality is 1930s-1950s British bakelite dial telephones. Therefore, can someone help identify this silvery (silver plated ? as no typical hallmarks) pair of presumably Edwardian or even Victorian intercom pieces ? Acquired when I lived in the UK, they look bespoke issue, such as for m'lady of the manor.
Miniature and elegant...only 7.5 inches....intricate floral engraving. None of the earcaps nor mouthcaps will budge for inner clues. However the end of one (seen here on hook) has an "E" etched...suggesting, yes, Ericsson. I'd be grateful if a knowledgeable telephone enthusiast in this intercom field can enlighten, thanks ! I'd love to know approx. date and purpose. By the way, thanks to the numerous admirers of my Chinese Red deco Siemens 1930s issue pyramid phone and pewter/bronze coated Gleneagles Hotel 1933 deco pyramid GECophone. Am a fresh member of this collegiate and fascinated by the immense variety of posts !
Your intercoms were manufactured in the U.S. By Electric Utilities Company of New York City. Called the Metaphone in the U.S. and was patented in 1901. In Europe the intercom was called Paraphone and was marketed by National Telephone Company Ltd. of England.
Big thanks to you, ttomtucker - so informative ... am very pleased and intrigued that the handpieces are as early as the famous National Telephone Company. I'll certainly hold onto these as extraordinarily unusual pieces.