Vintage HTF 1956 IVORY- 50 Western Electric 500 soft plastic Desk Phone

Description

Ivory (-50) was one of the first  of four colors offered for the WE500 in 1954 until it was replaced by Beige (-60) in 1957 and completely discontinued by 1963.  Beige 500 style phones went on to become commonplace until the present day but never again matched the original ivory color in richness and depth of tone. This phone is a particularly clean and bright example in this stunning color.  It is all soft plastic without damages or repairs. It has been completely restored cosmetically and mechanically.  It is a nearly date matched phone featuring yellow ink stamps: The base, network, ringer, and handset are 2/56, the dial is a 7C -50 8/55, the handset elements are 1/31/56 and 1/6/56 with handset caps 1-56 and 2-56.  The handset cord is a chunky coiled cord dated 57 and the station cord is dated 56.  The dial face is marked inside as typical of early colored WWE 500's with "EMCO."  All p
lastics are well color matched and unpainted.  The leather feet look original and barely worn. This phone features a open finger wheel and no-center hole handset caps.
The handset and case feature crisp Western Electric rectangular logos.  The number card is a high quality reproduction and the modular plug is a newer one designed to preserve to spade connectors of the original station cord.
I would be happy to replace the pictured number card with a custom one.  I have these listed separately.  Simply purchase the card you want on your new vintage phone and message me, no assembly fee or extra shipping.
FULLY FUNCTIONAL with disclaimer: This phone will work (ring, answer, and call) on a standard landline that supports pulse dialing.  I have tested it on my residential Spectrum Cable line that supports multiple vintage phones. The best way to make sure it will work at your location is to currently have a rotary phone. If not, it is always a good idea to call your local phone company and check if your "service still supports pulse dialing from an old rotary phone".  If your phone service does, great. If it does not, your phone will not be able to place calls without a converter. These are available on ebay and elsewhere for purchase.
RESTORATION is meant to restore the phone to how it may have looked in use. There will be no cracks or deep gouges but signs of use and slight color variations may remain as each phone is unique and not presented as mint or new.
For example there may be small scratches or nicks around high use areas like the handset cradle where removing them through more sanding might change the contour of the phone.
In particular to this phone, the handset caps and body have a few very small, random pock marks too deep to sand out.
The handset and station cord have a green tinged color spots from outgassing of the copper wires.  The finger wheel has a very small crack between the one and two finger holes. The phone has been chemically cleaned inside and out, removed of rust, dust and grime.  Wired to work on a landline, this phone has been tested, then polished through several steps.   I have taken multiple pictures of this phone inside and out because I have learned the hard way when buying phones. I always pop them open because seeing is better than wishful thinking.
Stored and packaged smoke free. I did my best to depict and describe condition. Please view all pictures and ask any questions before purchase.
We pack up an mail items on Fridays and Saturdays. Depending on timing of purchase and your payment, handling time will be 1 to 7 days
North Carolina SALES TAX will be added. Shipping rates have increased for all carriers. Please review all shipping options to find the best price for your location.
For Domestic buyers, I am happy to offer combined shipping at USPS rates.
Please use your shopping cart after you commit to buy by auction or buy it now.
Then make sure to use the "request total" in the right upper corner of my seller's window in your cart.
Please wait for an invoice BEFORE paying to get a combined shipping discount.
For international buyers, I use ebay's Global Shipping program which uses a third- party shipper who offers combined shipping with restrictions. If you are an international buyer and buy multiple items, ebay will allow me to combine your purchases into one box for shipment ONLY if you wait to pay for all of your purchases at the same time using your shopping cart. Please note that Ebay uses the combined weights of all the individual items to calculate combined shipping. Unfortunately, Ebay will not allow me to offer any further discount on international shipping beyond the saving of shipping one package.