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Widget of the Week
Candlestick Telephone, c1975
 As you may know I collect old telephones and I have several
genuine ‘candlestick’ models, the oldest dating from around 1920, so you may be
wondering what this fine looking specimen is doing on a website devoted to late
20th century gadgets? Simple, it’s a late 20th century gadget.
As best I can make out, and judging by the markings on the base
and inside it was made in the late 1970s, and neatly illustrates an interesting
fact about this style of phone, namely that it has never been out of production
since it first appeared in around 1911.
Candlestick phones were still in widespread use until the 1950s,
though the GPO -- as was -- stopped issuing them to subscribers in the 1940s,
replacing them with Bakelite models like the classic 162, and the familiar
Series 300. Original candlesticks are easy to spot. They are very basic; no
works to speak of, apart from the microphone (transmitter) and earpiece
(receiver), dial and internal switch, everything else was contained in an external
box or ‘bellset’. They were also very heavy – thanks to a cast-iron base -- and
pretty austere, no exposed brass, an any colour you like as long as it’s black
finish, and certainly no plastic. The other give-aways on a modern repro are
the curly cord (the originals were braided cotton covered, and they usually
have some sort of internal sounder, instead of a bell. And if the dial has push
buttons instead of finger holes, that’s another good clue…
Most repros are actually pretty awful, and often really tacky,
which is why I was drawn to this one. It’s a remarkably faithful copy; many of
the parts look as though they are patterned on the original. I believe there was a company in the north
of England a few years ago making them from surplus components sold by the GPO,
though I doubt if anything on this one is original. The build quality, internal
circuitry and neatness of the wring of this one is definitely up to old GPO/BT
standards, though, but without a maker’s name it’s difficult to be precise about
its provenance.
What Happened to it?
I doubt that candlestick phones have ever been out of favour,
apart from brief periods, like the late 1960s, when everything had to be modern
and teccy. However, I suspect that most of those who ever bought one switched
back to a more convention design pretty quickly. The problem is they are not
very convenient; you need two hands to use it, and because they are so heavy
and difficult to carry phone calls made on them tend to be quite short…
Nevertheless, they are a lot of fun, and very decorative, though I am
occasionally appalled when I come across genuine candlesticks that have been
converted into table lamps…
For the record I paid £12 for this one at a recent antiques fair.
It was in pretty good shape and only needed a quick polish and rub down with
Brasso to get it shining again, and being fitted with a standard BT plug and
the requisite circuitry it works a treat on a modern line. As a matter of
interest even genuine candlesticks can be converted to work on a BT line,
though be warned, it is frowned up. Modern repros sell from around £25 though
you can pay up to £150, for the more authentic versions. If you hanker after
the real deal there’s quite a few of them around, on ebay, at antiques fairs
and in shops. Expect to pay between £100 and
£150 for one in fair condition, substantially more if it comes with an
original bellset.
GIZMO GUIDE
First seen:
1911?
Original Price Originals rented, modern repros, £25 - £150
Value Today?
Originals £100 upwards, repros £25 upwards
Features:
Rotary dial, sounder, adjustable transmitter, hand-held receiver
Power req.
Powered by telephone line,
Weight:
2.1kg
Dimensions:
140 x 330 mm
Made in:
England
Hen's Teeth (10 rarest): 4
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