STUNNING 1918 "STAIRSTEP" CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE

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STUNNING 1918 "STAIRSTEP" CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE TYPE 18 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC, MERCEDES DIAL, OAK SUBSET For your consideration, a rare, working, absolutely georgeous Automatic Electric Co. Type 18 Automatic Desk Stand, Booster Circuit. This rare 1918 model has been completely restored, using no reproduced parts, except as stated. The entire desk stand is made of steel and has been stripped, sanded and refinished with numerous coats of hand-rubbed semi-flat black lacquer that has been hand polished to a deep, lustrous finish that cannot be accomplished by any other manner. It has been protected with an application of carnauba wax. The stem is covered with a nickel-plated brass tube. The combination of the black color and shiney silver pieces results in a truly stunning instrument. * The dial is an AE Type 18 "Mercedes" that was introduced in 1918 and was an evolutaionary step to improve the Type 11. The Type 11 was introduced in 1911 and was the first rotary dial with a ratcheting gear, an impulse cam and high-speed worm-driven governor. It replaced the rare "sunburst" two-wire Type 9 (introduced in 1909). The Type 18 has 3 shunt contacts and can use up to 5 wire leads. This particular configuration uses 4 leads. It has a nickel-plated brass case and finger stop in like-new condition. The finger wheel appears to be chrome-plated brass and is in like-new condition. Embossed on the finger wheel is AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CO. The distinctive 3 spoke steel dial card retainer ring appears to have its original paint. It has an original number card and celluloid cover. When dialed up, t is a distinctive clicking sound as the pawl ratchets up and a clattering, whirring sound as it returns. * The transmitter is an early Type C3, is nickel-plated cast brass and contains all of its original internal working parts. It works well. Embossed across the front is: AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A. and C3. The bakelite mouthpiece, with its distinctive hole drilled in the side, appears to be NOS and is in flawless contition. * The receiver is an early polarized type with 2 coils, a horseshoe magnet and a metal diaphram. The Bakelite outer shell polished out very nicely. The sound is very good and crisp. The black cloth cord to the receiver is original equipment and in like new condition. The pressed steel bottom cover has been recovered in black leather. The black cloth-over-cloth cord to the subset is in like-new condition and may be a repro, although a very good one. * The subset is made of quarter-sawn white oak and the corners are finger-jointed. It has been refinished with numerous coats of hand rubbed lacquer and the door has been polished to a mirror-like finish. It has also been protected with carnauba wax. The front cover has an authentic early design water transfer that says: STROWGER AUTOMATIC MADE IN U.S.A. Automatic Electric Inc. CHICAGO. It also has an earlier style Automatic Electric Inc. decal. The box contains all original components, including a two 1 MF condensers, a composition 7 connector terminal block and a 1000 Ohm ringer with 2 painted brass gongs. An accurate wiring diagram on the inside of the door is a reproduction. * Fully operational, it is equipped with a cloth covered line cord with an RJ-11 plug and all that is required is that one plug it in and it will work well. I have spent over 45 hours restoring this telephone. Shipping weight is 9 pounds. Shipped by USPS Priority Mail, Insured. I also ship internationally by Priority Mail International.. If you have any questions or comments, please email me directly at: . I accept PayPal, Postal Money Order and certified bank check. I prefer not to accept a personal check because of the long turnaround. The reserve on this authentic restoration has been substantially reduced from the listing last week. Please email me for the reserve amount. read more

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