While an antique wall telephones may all appear to be alike at first glance, and many of them do have the same components within their wooden cases, there are variations from phone to phone that can make a big difference in how much they are worth. Listed below are several examples of early wall units made between the late 1800s and the early 1930s. Click on the links to learn more about each style and the examples shown.
1. Two Box Wall Phone
Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
The name of this phone comes from the two boxes holding the components that make the telephone operate. It was the first type of wall phone produced. Click on the link to learn more about Two Box phones, including the The Williams Electric Co. example shown here.
2. Fiddleback Wall Phone
Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
The Fiddleback telephone derives its name from the shape of its back board. Click on the link to learn more about this style, including the Couch & Seeley Mini Fiddleback intercom model shown here.
3. Picture Frame Front Wall Phone
Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Wooden wall telephones with decorative routing on the front are referred to as Picture Frame Front styles. Click on the link to learn more about this type of phone, including the Western Electric model dating to 1907 shown here.
4. Plain Front Wall Phone
Photo Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
The Plain Front telephone has a very basic wooden front without decorative embellishments collectors refer to as “plain.” Click on the link to learn more about these phones, including the American Electric model crafted of oak with shield shaped accents shown here.
