Phone Fans Unite!

Since the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, people have been fascinated with how they operate, how the look of the telephone has changed over the years, and how these devices have literally changed the way people communicate. While newer phones have digital screens, cordless features, speed dial, and speaker options, antique phones have a character and style all their own. Thousands of people collect antique phones, and it?s become a growing interest among people in all walks of life, from those who simply like the concept of old technology, to those who see these older phones as a decorative item.

The Western Electric phone is a prime example of telephones made in the early 1920s. It had a simple classic style with a black body and the most basic of rotary dials. In contrast, the Ericaphone was a space age and stylish phone that took off in popularity in the 1950s and came in many different colors. Today, this amazing piece of artwork is truly a collector?s item. Another very popular antique phone from the late 1800s and early 1900s was the candlestick style phone. With this phone, the earpiece was separate from the rest of the phone, and the user had to hold it directly up to their ear to hear the other person talking. This phone is definitely an iconic symbol of the ?olden days.?

For many people, antique phones are their passion. They love to collect old phones, and compare and contrast what other people may have gathered over the years. The Telephone Collectors International group is just one example of the many different clubs available for antique phone collectors. Here are some other examples of antique telephone collector?s clubs:

Since there are a lot of antique telephone collectors out there, it?s important to be able to find people who can assist with restoration of the phones. In most cases, any reseller who carries old telephones can usually also restore them. Not all collectors demand that their phones be in working order, but others do, and they look for places that can perform repairs. It?s important to remember the history behind these older telephones in order to truly appreciate their inner workings.

Many vendors like to refurbish old phones and make them look new and operate as new once again. These retro style phones are fun and add a lot of interest to any d?cor. For people who cannot seem to find or afford real antique phones, many merchants sell replicas. As one can easily see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding old and antique phones. Half of the fun is in the hunt for that perfect piece of history that reminds us of a time when life was much simpler, and communication was still in its infancy.