Antique & Vintage
Radios - Telegraphy / Telegraph Keys & Telephones 

This is just a sample of the many office & electrical related antiques we have sold.
Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Electrical Antiques
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Special Note Concerning Prices Seen Below:
Most prices seen reflect actual sale results from this website.
Prices seen span over a long time and may not reflect current values.  Some now sell for less.
On other pieces you will see no price, or a price range, with or without an explanation.  The reasons for that are discussed on the FAQ page.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

1873 Patent Model of Telegraph Apparatus by George Little The overall condition of this telegraphic device is very nice. George Little hailed from Rutherford Park NJ and was a contemporary and competitor of Thomas A. Edison, Western Union, and others in the early developmental period of telegraphy in the United States.  George Little was granted a patent for this "Telegraph Apparatus" on September 2 1873. The patent number is 142486. The patent and images are viewable on Google and it is a close match.  The telegraph receiver patent model is mounted on a round cast iron base and has its original tag and ribbon.

The patent describes how this design will improve transmission rates and alleviate the problem of the signal becoming garbled or running together in rapid transmissions. George little describes how this is accomplished in some detail that makes little sense to a novice but it was novel or important enough to be granted a patent. A passage found on the internet mentions that Daniel Craig founder of the American Rapid Telegraph Co. in 1879 touted Little's patented telegraph invention as making it possible to send 100 word letters out for a dime, and that later they would charge by the yard. The company went bankrupt in 1884.

George Little was a well known figure in the development of telegraphy. He was issued his first patent back in the 1840's during the infancy of the telegraphic revolution. Google searches turn up reams of info on him and his endeavors. He held several other earlier telegraphy related patents that are mentioned in the patent for this device as well. He also held a patent for a electro magnetic motor. Several references noted that Thomas Edison claimed he could improve on Little's original invention and worked on it.

An interesting, important & unusual piece of telegraphy and early communication technology!! Opportunity!!

Good + . . . . . $1250.00      SOLD!!

Vibroplex Deluxe Model Telegraph Key in Case  Minty Nice. Chrome finish is perfect. Extra key pad. Looks to have seen little if any use. The serial # is 270219 and the dating list I saw dates that as 1973. Goodness, that is 50 years ago not 10 anymore.

Fine . . . . . $275.00      SOLD!!

Signal Electric Telegraph Key & Receiver on Wood Base  Nice.

Fine . . . . . $95.00

Camelback Telegraph Key & Receiver   A nice example of a hard to find early telegraph key.  The overall condition is very nice.  I see no maker marks, but the design of the sounder cast iron frame with its rounded casting is distinctive and a bit different.  Nice!!

Good + . . . . . $295.00       SOLD!!

Jno. Martin & Co. Electrical Engineers Co. Electric Control Panel  This unusual early electric control panel is huge and very heavy.  Look at the second pic to see its size in relation to a pallet jack.  I think it weighs 800 lbs or so, but have not weighed it.  It is nearly 3' wide and over 5' tall.  The largest knife switch is 16" long.  The two Weston meters near the top are 10" Dia.  One is an Ammeter and the other a volt meter. The voltage control wheel below the meters is by Ward Leonard.  A true Steam Punk - Frankenstein Laboratory type piece for the collection or display.

This is original and not a cobbled up or made up thing.  My understanding is that such things were used in large theaters and the like to control the lighting back in the early days of electricity.   Minor damage to 2 bottom corners of the slate or marble board.  It is bolted into the crate seen and about ready to be shipped.  I can get it to a shipper but will not know the cost of that till I know your location.  

Good  . . . . . $125.00        SOLD!!

Telegraph Receiver  250 Ohms.  No maker name.  Cast Iron base with nearly all its original finishes. Nice!!

Good +  . . . . . . . $50.00

J. H. Bunnell & Co. Pen Register in Wood Case  This unusual telegraph register is in super nice original condition. Comes w/ a roll of tape and the key all housed in the original wooden box. It appears to be unused.

I found a good description answering the what, how, and why questions of these devices online: Telegraph registers are electrically-activated printers that receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. The pulses energize the register’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm holding a pen or stylus. A clockwork mechanism pulls a strip of paper across the pen or stylus, recording the message. Short pulses draw or emboss a dot, slightly longer pulses a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. Wikipedia had much more info if interested.

Fine . . . . . $450.00          SOLD!!

J. H. Bunnell & Co. Telegraph Relay / Sounder On wood & cast iron base. Very nice overall condition. 30 Ohms.

Good + . . . . . 75.00         SOLD!!

Vibroplex Bug / Telegraph Key c. 1905 First Model With provenance / documentation. Correct name plate. I do not see a serial # if there is one,  or should be one. In original box with original never been cleaned "patina".

Good . . . . . $995.00          SOLD!!

Selection of Desk Phones  Here are the assorted vintage telephones we have managed to buy over the last few years and are ready to part with to make room for new additions..  We use the cradle phone in the front left of the picture.  The wall phone in the back is a Western Electric.  Nothing exceedingly rare, but they are all pretty nice.

Good . . . . . .$395.00       SOLD

Pay Phone   This probably dates from the 20's-30's or so.  It is in nice overall condition and has the original guts.  The lock is missing.  It is wired to plug into today's socket so someone was using it fairly recently, I have not.

Good . . . . . .$395.00        SOLD

Bunnell & Co. Telegraph Sounder w/ Resonator Box on White Folding Stand These were used on Railroads where space was limited.  The telegraph operator could pull the sounder out from is place up against the wall to get it closer, and because of the box would be able to better hear what was being produced over the background noise.  The sounder is nice, and all the parts of the cast iron stand by White out of Mass are in great condition with a good look.   Nice!

Good +  . . . . . . $145.00       SOLD!!

Candlestick Desk Phone & Oak Ringer Box   This probably dates from the 20's or so.  It is in nice overall condition and the box  has the original guts.  The phone has an interesting adjustable feature for the mouthpiece.  The handset lower ring is broken and need to be glued and or replaced.

Good . . . . . .$295.00         SOLD

Ultimate Transmitter Company "Portable Pocket Bug" Telegraph Key   A nice example of a hard to find telegraph key by the The Ultimate Transmitter Company, Los Angeles, California.  There is a patent date along the front edge from  June 23 1925, and the serial # is 12614.  It is otherwise unmarked, but plenty of info comes up on this companies telegraph keys consulting Google.

The overall condition of this unusual miniature telegraph key is very nice with just minor losses to the nickel plating.  The hard rubber feet are original and the key pads are nice.  Some other examples I saw online had a cover, but I see no evidence this ever did.  I saw several other designs, but none exactly like this one.  Interesting!! \

Good + . . . . . $495.00      SOLD!!

Hump Back Telegraph Key  This telegraph key is early and unusual. Note the form of the bar which is known as a camelback or hump back.   Note the paint and highlights still viable on the cast iron casting.  I am not sure what if anything is missing from the two holes out in front, but the key itself is in fine original condition.

Good . . . . . .$395.00         SOLD

Double Bar Patented Telegraph Key  This key has a double bar tube design.  Not sure what benfit if any that had, but it is a nice looking patented key.

Good . . . . . .$95.00        SOLD

Cast Iron Base Telegraph Key  This is a great looking piece.  But where is the camel-Back key that is missing?  Found in a group shop in NH back in the good old days.   

Good . . . . . .$495.00        SOLD

Telegraph Relay / Receiver  100 Ohms.  No maker name.  Cast Iron base with nearly all its original finishes. Nice!!

Good +  . . . . . . . $25.00        SOLD!!

Western Electric Double Bar Telegraph Key  This is a nice mlooking key that you do not see very often.  

Good . . . . . .$125.00        SOLD

Vibro-plex Telegraph Key  This Vibro-Plex telegraph key or bug has a serial # 195802.  Where that puts in in the scheme of things with collectors of these "bugs"  I do not know

Good . . . . . .$175.00        SOLD

Electro-Bug Telegraph Key Patents Pending by Electro Mfg. Co Fresno CA This unusual telegraph key is in very nice condition and marked with the above info. I read that this company moved to San Francisco, and that this key was patented, so this version hailing from Fresno must have been one of the earlier models being marked Patent pending. The base measures about 3 x 6 1/2". There is a stamped # 11210 the bottom. There is a electro-magnet to help speed things up or control the action if you got it going to fast, and I suppose the sliding lever by the Key was to adjust just how much control it would exert. Different, and nice.

Good . . . . . .$325.00         SOLD

Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Register These are most often associated with firehouses where the alarm would come in and the info transferred to a tape this recorder produced.  Some of the beveled glass panels are cracked or damaged.  Otherwise Nice.

Good - . . . . . $150.00      SOLD!!

Patented Century Telegraph Key   This is the nicest example of this style telegraph key that I have ever seen.  The patent info is written on the base, and the decoration is bright and crisp as if it was applied last week, but it is original.  The name comes from the fact that it was patented right after the turn of the century.  It is also referred to as the pump handle key and was designed for those who were developing Carpel Tunnel with the typical style keys available.  A rare and unusual piece in superb condition.

Excellent . . . . . .  SOLD

A short story concerning prices and the value of things.  Years ago I bought this vertical key out of a shop here in CA for $800.00. Barely knew what it was and certainly had no idea what it was worth.  I bought it because it looked great and the condition was superb.  I sold it to a friend / dealer later that day for $1800.00.  About a year later I had regrets I had sold it and tried to buy it back.  My dealer friend still had it and wanted $2200.00 - I offered him $2000.00.  He said no and would not budge.  Several months later and after trying to get it for my price several more times, he got tired of me badgering him and he listed it on eBay.  It brought just under 6K.  That was back in the heyday or bubble days.  Today they usually sell for under $1000.00 when listed on eBay.  Leaving the questions - - - What is it worth?  AND What is any of it really worth?




Early External Terminal Telephone Handset There are some chips in the upper housing as can be see.  These earlier external terminal handsets are getting tougher to find all the time. 

Good + . . . . .$95.00      SOLD!

External Terminal American Telephone Handset w/ Cord   These earlier external terminal handsets are getting tougher to find all the time.  Very Nice!!

Good + . . . . .$195.00         SOLD!

Western Union / Bunnell Telegraph Sounder w/ Hood & Candlestick Base This is in nice condition and will make for a nice display piece on the desk as a remembrance of what communication use to be like, and how far we have come.

Good + . . . . .$95.00        SOLD!

Early Bunnell Camelback Telegraph Key This nicely detailed key and sounder with cast iron frame sits on a nice mahogany base, and is in very good condition.   There are no chips in the pads, the windings appear to be good, and everything clicks and clacks as it should.    In the front left corner, stamped in the mahogany is "J. H. Bunnell and Co. New-York".  It also says "ohms" but it doesn't say how many.

Good . . . . .$350.00       SOLD

Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Register These are most often associated with firehouses where the alarm would come in and the info transferred to a tape this recorder produced.  Nice.

Good + . . . . . $175.00      SOLD!!

Western Union 35-A Stock Ticker / Telegraph Key  This is a nice looking antique Western Union stock ticker / telegraph. The overall condition on this rare and desirable piece of Wall Street memorabilia is very nice.  I am sure it was those fellows getting those bonuses who were driving the market a few years back when a few went for 10K or more.  Prices have since fallen.  Now that the "workers" are comfortably back in place and doing as good as ever will the price start upward again, or are they sitting on their gold.  Give that man another bonus!!  

Good  +. . . . . .  SOLD

Device To Measure Strength of Electrical Forces  This unusual device looks to be for measuring the strength of the electrical power you would apply to the coils.  Increase the current and measure the amount of pull the magnetized coils exerted on the scale that was positioned over top.  I do not see any makers mark, and this may be shop built at Case University for one series of experiments, or could have been built as a demonstrator for students to observe the "new" technology of electricity.  Crude but effective.

This will make for a great display illustrating just how far we have come in the last 100 years.  Just think about it.  Electrical power was pretty new to the scene.  New students would have little understanding of its powers or uses.  It can give one pause to reflect on how much further we can go if science survives the current waves of politics, religion, and ignorance trying to turn off the power and sources of knowledge and thought.  Again, a good reminder of how far we have come, and might go.

Excellent . . . . .$295.00       SOLD!

Crookes Tube on Stand  Early Geissler and Crookes tubes are getting difficult to find.  There is no maker info on this, but that is typical.. This early Crookes tube, as with all the other pieces on this page, originated from Case Western Reserve University.  This tube was used in the physics department to demonstrate the characteristics of electrons, and showing that they would not pass through a metal barrier.  The make-up of this example would indicate its manufacture near the turn of the century.  Everything look to be attached, and intact, but we did not attempt to test it.

I found a picture of a nearly identical tube on another site, http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Titlepage/Electricity.html
and it described this tube as follows.  Cathode Rays Carry Energy. The cathode rays from the hemispherical cathode are focused on a thin piece of platinum held above it by a glass arm. The platinum eventually heats up and glows red, showing that the cathode rays carry kinetic energy.

Excellent. . . . .$695.00        SOLD!

Max Kohl / Chemnitz Electrical Laboratory Demonstrator   Max Kohl of Germany was probably the best known maker of lab and classroom demonstrators in the world during his working years from the 1880's onward. This piece was used  in the classrooms of Case Western Reserve University back near the turn of the century when Dayton Miller was a professor there. 

This is mystery device has electrical hook-ups that indicate it was powered up.  The center affair with 3 red rods does rotate and move up and down, but I am not sure when, how, or to demonstrate what.  Perhaps it has something to do with Magnetic fields and rotational pull .  It has a great look, and is the sort of thing that will display nicely and be a great conversation piece.  The condition is like new. 

Excellent. . . . .$295.00        SOLD!

Antique Mirror Galvanometer w/ Scope  This device is for measuring small variations in current using light, a mirror, and the small scope seen. It is a very detailed and precise instrument.  Light acts as the pointer, and when reflected off the mirror inside is capable of reflecting very small variations which can be read off the scale above the scope.    I do not see a makers name, but the markings appear to be in German, Galvanometers were made in different forms for different applications and for different levels of precision.  A nice looking example!!

Excellent. . . . .$695.00        SOLD!

Hall Switch & Signal Co  Marked near the bottom "Universal Calling Key for Gill Selectors" I believe it is used like an intercom or annunciator to ring or notify different parties on any of the numbers on the dial.  The clockwork mechanism inside seems OK.      Nice. 

Good +. . . . . $45.00      SOLD!!

Atwater Kent Breadboard Radio   This early Atwater Kent Breadboard appears to be in very nice original cosmetic condition.  There are no tubes and it has not been tested or operated that I know of.  It came from a collection that was assembled years ago.  Note the original inspection tag on the bottom.

Good + . . . . . $600.00     SOLD!!

Waltham No. 31 6 Tube Radio   All original and nice. Waltham was an obscure and little known maker in Los Angeles.  It appears something leaked in the back and there is something that looks like coral growing out of it.  See last pic.

Good  +. . . . . $95.00       SOLD!!

Atwater Kent Model 40 Metal Case Tube Radio It looks to be all here and just needs to be cleaned up & tested.  It is from an old time electrical themed collection and has been in storage for 30 some years. Nice. Fresh to the market!!

Good + . . . . . $95.00      SOLD!!

Atwater Kent Bread Board Tube Radio   It looks to be all here and just needs to be cleaned up & tested.  It is from an old time electrical themed collection and has been in storage for 30 some years. Nice enough and rare enough to be restored.   Fresh to the market!!

Good  . . . . . $750.00      SOLD!!

Kennedy Coronet Model 42 Table Top Tube Radio   Nice enough and rare enough to be restored.  It looks to be all here, it just needs to be worked on. 

Good  . . . . . $70.00      SOLD!!

Atwater Kent Breadboard Radio The overall condition appears to be very nice and everything looks to be original.  On the far right it says that it is a type TA and that it is a Detector and 2 Stage A.F. Amplifier  The Bakelite on the tuners and elsewhere appears to be very nice as well with no chipping or cracks.  The tubes came with it and go with it, and I have not tested it or them, and this is being sold as is as I have no idea how to hook it up.   I still remember the first time I hooked up a car radio in my van and was upset that it did not work until my friend pointed out that the speakers were still in the box.  Duh!!

Good . . . . .  $995.00       SOLD

RCA Radiola 18 Tube Radio Very nice condition with minor scuffs to the finish. Nice. Fresh to the market!!

Good + . . . . . $95.00       SOLD!!

RCA # 143 Superhetrodyne 8 Tube Tombstone Radio   Nice. This was RCA's largest and most impressive tombstone. The radio is an eight-tube superhet, with a three-band capability.   It looks to be all here and just needs the original finish to be spruced up a bit and it will shine.  It has not been tested or worked on.  It measures 20-1/2"  x 12" x 15".   A nice looking piece.

Good  . . . . . $275.00        SOLD!!

Philco #90 Table Top Tube Radio   Very nice original condition 1930's era tube radio. Measures 19" tall, 17" wide, 12" deep.   It looks to be all here and in good condition, but has not been tested or run by me. 

Good  . . . . . $295.00     SOLD!!

Philco Model 70 Table Top Tube Radio   Nice enough and rare enough to be fully restored.  It looks to be all here, it just needs to be refinished and worked on. 

Good  . . . . . $150.00      SOLD!!

Philco Model 37-665 Cathedral 9 Tube Radio   A nice looking hard to find 9 tube radio.  Untested.  It looks to be all here, it just needs to be worked on a bit. 

Good  . . . . . $240.00    SOLD!!

Erla Reflex Receiver 2 Tube Crystal Radio Electrical Research Labs radio. Very nice condition with minor scuffs to the finish. Nice. Fresh to the market!!

Good + . . . . . $150.00         SOLD!!

BACK to Office Antiques

This is just a sample of the many office related antiques & collectibles we have sold.
Click link to see other Past Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We Buy Quality Electrical Powered Antiques
Contact Us at AntiqBuyer@gmail.com

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

This website is Copyrighted
Larry & Carole Meeker