Buyer's Guide to Reproduction Antique Telephones

Genuine antique telephones fit the decor of some buildings more appropriately than newer units, but lack modern features like touch tone dialing or a standard phone jack. This makes them slower to operate, prevents the use of automated telephone systems, and may require an adapter to hook them up. However, reproduction antique telephones combine antique style with modern features.

Reproduction telephones are available in a variety of antique styles, including wooden wall-mounted units, tabletop porcelain models, and desktop "executive" units with a built-in drawer. Many of the wall-mounted models have a wooden storage box attached near the base for keeping notes and writing utensils. Reproduction telephones with wooden cabinets are available in both oak and walnut, giving the exterior a different color. Most wall units have two round bells near the top of the cabinet, above the buttons, while a few have the bells located near the base, on the front of the storage box. Porcelain models are offered in a greater variety of colors, including black, white, green, yellow, and various patterns.

Another type of reproduction antique phone, field telephones, are held in a suitcase-like box or a flat desktop base, and have a sophisticated appearance. These are portable, but require a telephone jack like the others. The Spirit of St. Louis MK IV reproduction features a phone number memory, a speaker phone feature, a world map, an analog clock, and large volume controls.

Many reproduction telephones have a touch tone keypad which looks like a rotary dial at first glance, but is actually a set of buttons arranged along the edge of a round plate designed to look like one. Most do not require any batteries or additional electricity. Some models feature a felt-coated telephone cord from the base to the receiver. If the base comes with a cord which is not long enough to reach the nearest phone jack, a longer cord can be purchased on eBay for a few dollars. Radio Shack offers a small unit called an "inline coupler", which connects two regular telephone cords together, thus extending the length.

Antique style telephones can be purchased from a number of online shopping websites, as well as many eBay.com sellers. Some brands which make or have made telephones of this type include Crosley, American Heritage Electronics, and Spirit of St. Louis. When searching for reproduction antique telephones to purchase online, try using the search phrase "antique style telephone" as well as "reproduction telephone." The cost of buying an reproduction antique telephone often ranges from about $30-$75, including shipping and handling fees.