Early Stand-Alone Rotarys LoweTech Phones Home of High Quality Collectibles

Early Stand-Alone Rotary Telephones

Very early telephones required a separate 'ringer box' subset that was typically mounted on the wall near the telephone. During the mid-1930s, technology advanced enough to allow telephone manufacturers place all components within a single package. This major breakthrough not only improved user convenience, it radically reduced manufacturing and installation costs. The era of stand-alone telephones introduced daring designs and creative technical solutions, resulting in some of the most popular telephone models in the Lowe Tech Phones product line.

We are proud to offer these excellent examples of advanced Industrial Age technology ready for use in your home or office today. Do you have interest in a telephone not listed here? Click here for a Quick Quote.

COMMON FEATURES: LoweTechPhones early stand-alone rotary phones will offer many years of enjoyment and are guaranteed to work. Each quality telephone is first restored electronically, is then cleaned and hand polished to make anyone proud to show it prominently in the home or office. Wall telephones are typically hard-wired wall installation (instructions available at no charge, modular line cord is optional). Desk sets are equipped with:

A coil receiver cord (occasionally with straight cloth or rubber receiver cord)
Modular line cord ready to plug into standard jacks (desk phones) If equipped with old 4-prong plug, a free adapter is provided. Wall telephones are hard wired (instructions provided on request at not charge.
1-Year Limited Warranty

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Early Stand-Alone Rotary Telephones

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
Automatic Electric AE21 Metal Wall Telephone: This unique old-style telephone features a very early transmitter and receiver combined with a 'modern' dial. Its sculpted metal box is hinged to a backplate that mounts on the wall. These telephones feature the old-time early brassy ringer.	c1920s Metal case Bulldog transmitter Bold ringer sound Repro parts typical $ Range: $180-$275 Usually in stock
Automatic Electric AE40 Desk Set: This handsome telephone is all bakelite and becoming difficult to find without body cracks or breaks. It features a compact Deco design, distinctive vents on either side, a rubber gasket between the body and the base, and a pleasant brassy ring. Colored and even clear versions are rare but can be found.	c1940s Art Deco look Pleasant ring $ Range: $100-$175 Colors are pricey Usually in stock
Automatic Electric AE40 w/Nickel Bands: Same as above but with elegant nickel receiver cap bands and chrome fingerwheel.	c1940s Highly collectible Chrome fingerwheel $ Range: $140-$200 Colors are pricey Frequently in stock
Automatic Electric AE50 Wall Telephone: This handsome telephone is all bakelite and becoming difficult to find without body cracks or breaks. This wall version of the AE40 shares its Deco design and electronics. It features a showy horizontal handset mount, distinctive vents on either side, and a pleasant brassy ring. Colored versions are rare but can be found. Also available with nickel banded receiver caps and chrome fingerwheel. Modular line cord optional.	c1940s Art Deco look Pleasant ring Hard-wired to wall $ Range: $140-$200 Colors are pricey Frequently in stock
CONNECTICUT TELEPHONES	Notes	Photo (More photos available)
Connecticut "Toaster" Desk Set: This unique, handsome telephone is a favorite among customers...when we can get them! Characterized by its DECO influenced steel body housing, this heavy phone is frequently found with a military plate on the rear identified as model TP-6A. Its sweet brassy ring gets your attention and carries you back in time.	c1940s Art Deco look Sweet brassy ring $ Range: $120-$190 Chrome models on the market Rarely in stock
KELLOGG TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
Kellogg 1000 'Redbar' Desk Set: This curvy telephone is all bakelite and becoming difficult to find without body cracks or breaks.This telephone features a distinctive red switch-hook, tall rubber feet, pioneering modular electronics, a high-tone brassy ring, and a heavy stylish bakelite handset. Early models featured a steel case. This is among the favorite LoweTech telephones.	1946-1955 Distinct curvy look Pleasant ring $ Range: $120-$175 Usually in stock
Kellogg 1100 'Redbar' Wall Telephone: This handsome telephone is the wall version of the telephone above. It features the distinct horizontal handset mount and trademark redbar hook switch. Body is hinged to a backplate that mounts to the wall. Optional modular line cord.	1946-1963 Distinct curvy look Pleasant ring Hard-wired to wall $ Range: $140-$200 Occasionally in stock
NORTH ELECTRIC TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
North Electric Galion 'Pyramid' Desk Set: The North Electric 'Pyramid' is a LoweTech customer favorite. This handsome telephone is wider than it is deep, presenting a unique look. It was found as the standard desk set in many homes served by independent telephone companies from the 1940s through the late 1950s.	c1940s Distinct pyramid look Pleasant ring $ Range: $120-$175 Frequently in stock
North Electric Wall Telephone: This is the wall version of the 'Pyramid' shown above. It has excellent appeal and is fairly hard to find. The body hinges from the backplate which mounts on the wall.	c1940s Distinct look Pleasant ring Hard-wired to wall $ Range: $140-$200 Rarely in stock
NORTHERN ELECTRIC TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
No. 1 Uniphone: This handsome telephone features a wide base and distinct lines. It's bakelite body and handset polish up nicely, but are harder to find undamaged. These telephones typically feature the AE rotary dial and a nice brassy ringer.	1937-1957 Unique look Pleasant ring Popular telephone Coil cord typical $ Range: $110-$150 Occas'nly in stock
STROMBERG-CARLSON TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
Stromberg-Carlson 'Fatboy' Desk Set: This popular telephone is difficult to find and more difficult to keep in stock. Users and collectors really like the 'bigger than life' look of this all bakelite telephone. The cradle on this telephone is susceptible to breakage, so finding a 'fatboy' in good condition is a great find indeed.	c1930s Unique look Pleasant ring Popular telephone Cloth cords typical $ Range: $140-$230 Occasionally in stock
Stromberg-Carlson 1243 Desk Set: At first glance this telephone may appear to be a Western Electric 302. It is distinguished by its 'cut corner' case design and slightly different shaped handset. It also features a metal body and typically installed Automatic-Electric rotary dial. The S-C 1243 is an excellent, affordable telephone.	c1940s Handsome look Pleasant ring Distinct cut corners Heavy telephone Cloth cords typical $ Range: $110-$160 Frequently in stock
Stromberg-Carlson 1250 Wall Telephone: THis unique wall telephone met the demand for wall telephones by growing post-WW2 families. This all-bakelite telephone uses the same dial, handset, ringer, and electronics as the S-C 1243 Desk Set.	c1946-1950s Handsome look Pleasant ring Distinct cut corners Coil cords typical $ Range: $130-$190 Occasionally in stock
WESTERN ELECTRIC TELEPHONES	Notes*	Photo (More photos available)
Western Electric 302 (Metal Case): The Western electric is our most popular desk set. Having been designed by industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, the 302 has been featured at the New York Modern Museum of Art and the Cooper-Hewlett Design Pavilion at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The 302, frequently referred to as the "Lucy Phone" because it was featured on I Love Lucy TV episodes, was the first Bell System desk set to contain the ringer and electronics inside a single case. This telephone was produced with a heavy metal body until WW2 began, then were made of thermoplastic. Early collectible metal models feature short cradle uprights and a vent under the handle. Even experienced collectors have trouble distinguishing the metal body 302 from its thermoplastic counterpart until the telephone is picked up...this phone is heavy!	c1937-1942 Handsome look Pleasant ring Heavy telephone Cloth cords typical $ Range: $140-$200 Frequently in stock
Western Electric 302 (Thermoplastic Case): This is one of our favorite and best selling telephones. The later version of this great telephone was produced by the millions and spread rapidly throughout the nation after WW2. It was later made available in a few colors other than black; the colored versions, which featured a clear fingerwheel, are highly collectible today.	c1941-1954 Handsome look Pleasant ring Rubber cords typical $ Range: $110-$150 Colors more pricey Frequently in stock
Western Electric 354 Wall Telephone: Customers demanded wall telephones, so Bell Telephone Companies obliged with the 354. This handsome telephone uses the same dial, handset, ringer, and electronics as the 302. It was later made available in a few colors other than black; the colored versions, are highly collectible today.	c1939-1955 Same guts as 302 Hard-wired to wall $ Range: $140-$200 Colors more pricey Frequently in stock
Western Electric 5302 Desk Telephone: In the late forties, Western Electric modernized the look of its desk sets and introduced what we now know as the Model 500 set. During the transition to this new modern telephone, Western Electric designed the 5302 plastics to meet demand for the 500 'look' and yet fit on the 302 chassis (including the 302 network, ringer and capacitor) that were apparently in huge abundance. This unique collectible telephone was only available for a short time and is easily distinguishable from the 500 set by its shortened backside and the F1 handset used on the 302. Later models were even equipped with a ringer volume control. The 5302 is an excellent collector starter telephone and a great conversation piece.	c1948-1955 Same guts as 302 Features F1 Handset $ Range: $80-$140 Only in black Great collector Frequently in stock	_______________ 5302 (top) Compared with Early 500 Set