MORE DETAILS TO COME

WH Masters of Melbourne

What a wonderful find – After probably 10 years looking for an opportunity, this is a Blake telephone that I have finally been able to buy. It was from WH Masters and Co, of Melbourne. WH Masters were one of the principal partners in the Melbourne Telephone Exchange Company Ltd, which opened in August 1880.

Although the phone would have undoubtedly been an Edison-Bell imported from the USA, it doesn’t have any markings except for that of the importers, WH Masters.

The Blake transmitter (pictured) is genuine, but doesn’t have any of the Bell details that are commonly stamped into the front of the Blake transmitters used in the USA.

Link to Blake .pdf file (this Yahoo file is only accessible by registered members - registration is free though)

UK, Delville Western Electric

Only a very few large magneto table handsets were produced by manufacturers worldwide, because of the large space which they needed to occupy on the desk.

The telephone shown here has no manufacturer markings, but it is undoubtedly a Delville Western Electric , manufactured in the UK. Used in small numbers in Australia, and by the British “National Telephone Service” before their take over by the British Post Office.

The mahogany box contains the hand generator, induction coil, bell mechanism and hook switch. Batteries would have been housed in a separate box, wall mounted and usually below the desk.

A Hunnings transmitter is attached to an ornate swivel mounting to allow it to be turned in any direction. This transmitter was designed before the Berliner (shown in Chapter 2 of TELEPHONEtalk) but used the same construction principles.

UK, Consolidated

Manufactured in the early 1900's. From the Manufacturers lable - " Consolidated Telephone Manufacturing & Maintenance Co Ltd, Telephone & Electrical Works, Farrington Rd London".

I haven't been able able to find out anything about this company - if you have any information, I would appreciate it if you could contact me.

Europe, Unknown

I would appreciate help in identifying this very appealing wall phone with a very ornate "extender".

Italian, Telcer designed Bobo

Looking for all the world like an old style alarm clock with large bell gongs on the outside and a chrome plated carry handle across the back.

The Bobo is typical of a number of the more unusual plastic “Retro” styles of telephone that truly makes a statement. It has recently found more appeal amongst collectors, not for its’ looks but more for the rarity.

It would have been a shape that could look quite ugly to some and consequently appealed only to a narrow buyers market. Recently the Bobo is more difficult to obtain and becoming more expensive

For the "Jetsons"

These phones, in a combination of Perspex and chrome finish would have been limited productions, but for the collector, they are still found occasionally