C. 1930s Western Electric Rotary Phone in Old White Paint, Ashland 4-5111 carved wooden whimsy chain though also nice just holding

though also nice just holding down a shelf

both from auctions—one of this size sold at Skinner in 2016 for $246

Each block measures 2 7/8" cubed

Plus three compartments inside and a carrying loop making it a useful box indeed

C. 1930s Western Electric Rotary Phone in Old White Paint, Ashland 4-5111 carved wooden whimsy chain though also nice just holdingNot just a great looking old phone, delivering all of the pleasures of rotary dialing, but this early model Western Electric was also given a custom paint job long ago and nothing better to my eye than old creamy white paint. And with original alphanumeric number at the center of the dial: AS(hland) 4 5111, I believe for Ashland, MA reminding one that phones were once linked to specific places! These Western Electric phones were the first widely