While most people in the world carry some version of a cell phone these days, once upon a time, phones were confined to inside the house. From the vital invention of the first wall-hanging telephone to the colorful, retro phonesof the ‘80s, there are over 150 years of classic phonedesigns in antique malls, flea markets, and basem*nt storage boxes around the globe.
Whether you’re a passionate antique phone collector or are looking for a showstopping accent piece foryour home office, there are countless designs from different eras waiting for you to answer their call. Learn about the five most popular styles throughout time and invest in a stylish vintage phone.
The Invention of the Telephone Changed the World
Phones are widely regarded as one of the most important inventions of the last millennium. When Alexander Graham Bell patented the first classic phonedesign in 1876, he changed the way we, as a society, communicate.
For centuries, writing letters and telegrams had been the only form of communication—and slow ones, at that! When the original vintage phones were introduced to the world, people suddenly had the ability to talk to loved ones, colleagues, and strangers within a matter of minutes. Without the first classic phonedesigns, cell phones and high-tech landlines as we know them wouldn’t exist.
Why Would Someone Collect Vintage Phones?
Anyone who collects orsells vintage itemshas a personal connection and love for that type of merchandise, and collecting retro phones is no different.Many collectors buy vintage phones for a nostalgic love of a certain design era, feeling included in the rich history of that time and finding unique decorations for their home.Each collector is driven by something different, whether they’re collecting rotary phones in an attempt to becomeantique mall vendorsor to show off their lovely stock in their home.
5 Vintage PhoneStyles
Has your interest in the wide world of retro phonecollecting been piqued? Before you buy your first piece, learn more about the five most popular designs:
1. Wood Wall Phones
Wall phones were one of the earliest designs available for public purchase in the late 1800s. There are a few different styles, but this classic phonestyle typically uses a rectangular wooden box to house and hide wires, with a receiver hanging outside. These telephones are commonly referred to as box, coffin, and camera phones due to their oversized size and shape.
Determining the value of a wood wall classic phonecomes down to the different variations, such as the wood used, where the receiver hangs, and the shape of the box itself. Learning toidentify antique wall phoneswill help you create a valuable and high-quality collection.
2. Candlestick Phones
There’s nothing that’ll transport you back in time quite like picking up a candlestick phone. Known for an upright stand and a removable megaphone receiver piece, these classic phones from the early 20th century are a subtle and stylish antique option for any collector. This classic phonesilhouette was all the rage, allowing users to sit comfortably at their desks or lounge on the couch rather than standing to make or receive a call.
Pay attention to the telltale patina brass features when searching for an authentic candlestick retro phone. Some designs have an early rotary phonedetail, whereas others lack a dialing system. Candlestick vintage phones are worth more with the original intact cords and receivers.
3. 3-Slot Pay Rotary Phones
If you’ve ever stepped foot into an outdated train station or encountered a large, clunky telephone design at anantique mall event in Florida, you’ve probably encountered a 3-slot rotary phone. These heavy-duty rotary phonesutilize a coin system, where a user would have to insert a certain amount of loose change to make a call. While these payphones were generally placed in public spaces, they are now a prized option for many retro phonecollectors.
4. Art Deco Desk Rotary Phones
The decadent Art Deco period gave us the timeless rotary phonesilhouette many people know and love. With a rounder, sturdy base piece, a rotary phonedial for calling, and a receiver set on the top of a stand, this vintage design never goes out of style. When a caller was done with their conversation, setting the double-ended receiver back on the hooks would hang up, ending the call. These were (and are!) perfect forlearning to decoratea desk or bedside table with vintage flair.
5. Novelty ‘70s and ‘80s Phones
Whether you grew up in the groovy ‘70s or adore the neon décor in ‘80s movies, novelty retro phones are desirable to collectors and buyers alike. Most of these creative designs used the same technology of a rotary phone, with a double-ended receiver attached to the main box by a cord—but with shapes and characters geared towards the hip teenagers of the period.
Popular Novelty Retro PhoneDesigns:
Red lips
Kermit the Frog
Garfield
Bananas
Winnie the Pooh
French fries
Where to Shop for Vintage Phones
Antique phones can be found all over the globe—so why limit yourself to one store? Connect with different rotary phonecollectors online through auction sites like eBay and specialize in classic phoneforums to search for the perfect piece to take home.
Whether you’ve stumbled across anantique mall near Chicagoor browse the same vendor mall aisles every weekend, there’s a high chance you can find a unique retro phonein person! Some collectors specialize in specific eras of telephones, whereas others just have one or two antique options.
Popular Retro PhoneManufacturers
Keep an eye out for these popular phone brands when you’re shopping for the newest addition to your vintage phonecollection:
Western Electric
Kellogg Switchboard and Supply
Stromberg Carlson
North Electric
Royal Victoria
Can Vintage Phones Be Repaired?
If you ever encounter a broken classic phone, don’t leave it behind!There are many options for repairing a retro phone, from sending it totrustworthy refurbishment servicesto tuning it yourself.If it is beyond repair, it could still be valuable to collectors who love the look of a vintage telephone more than its function.
Ring, ring, ring! Hello? That’s just the essential information needed to start a vintage phonecollection! With a deeper understanding of the most popular designs throughout the history of telephones, you can get inspired tovisit an antique mall.
