http://www.vintagerotaryphones.com/?p=56 Collecting, Restoring & Selling Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:31:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 http://www.vintagerotaryphones.com/?p=56&cpage=1#comment-12439 Mark Stevens’ Rotary Phone Blog » Blog Archive » Model 500 Rarity: “The Mushroom Phone” Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:28:22 +0000 http://www.vintagerotaryphones.com/blog/?p=56#comment-12439 [...] I’ve been a historian, collector and dealer of antiques & collectibles for years. I know what is sufficiently scarce as to warrant the term, rare. UFOs, Sasquatch, sincere politicians… all rare. So too is the Western Electric “mushroom phone”, also known as the 500P, 500U or 500P/U. So what is it, and why is it so rare? The mushroom is basically a run-of-the-mill model 500, with a difference. Located next to the dial, right by the number 4, is a dome-like, a mushroom-like protrusion, a light to illuminate the dial. It fits the space so well, looks so appropriate, it’s hard to believe it was an afterthought. It’s also hard to understand why more of them aren’t around. The button-like hood that covers the bulb is directional, casting the light towards the dial and illuminating the clear plastic fingerwheel. It works great, looks great. So why weren’t they popular? One can only assume that popularity was the issue. I can’t imagine where this great idea, and smooth execution thereof, failed. Anyone know what was behind this? There’s a lot more that isn’t known about the mushroom phone. What is the proper model designation? Sometimes just called a 500P, they were more likely either a “U” or a “P/U”. Dennis Markham, who generously provided the accompanying photos, has more to say about the mushroom on VintageRotaryPhones.com. He feels that a “P/U” designates the presence of a control switch for the light. The switch, located just outside the number 7, can be adjusted so that the light stays on dimly when not in use, serving as a night-light. (Rather like the Princess phone that would appear years later) Without the switch, the light comes on only when the handset is picked up, and those models would be a “U”. How many mushrooms were made? Unknown. What years were they produced? Oddly enough, they seem to have been made in the earlier years of model 500 production (mid-’50s), but actual years are unknown. What colors were available? Moss Green, Aqua Blue, Rose Pink and Black are known, but others were almost certainly made as well. If you see one at a local thrift shop for $20, should you snap it up?   Yes. [...] [...] I’ve been a historian, collector and dealer of antiques & collectibles for years. I know what is sufficiently scarce as to warrant the term, rare. UFOs, Sasquatch, sincere politicians… all rare. So too is the Western Electric “mushroom phone”, also known as the 500P, 500U or 500P/U. So what is it, and why is it so rare? The mushroom is basically a run-of-the-mill model 500, with a difference. Located next to the dial, right by the number 4, is a dome-like, a mushroom-like protrusion, a light to illuminate the dial. It fits the space so well, looks so appropriate, it’s hard to believe it was an afterthought. It’s also hard to understand why more of them aren’t around. The button-like hood that covers the bulb is directional, casting the light towards the dial and illuminating the clear plastic fingerwheel. It works great, looks great. So why weren’t they popular? One can only assume that popularity was the issue. I can’t imagine where this great idea, and smooth execution thereof, failed. Anyone know what was behind this? There’s a lot more that isn’t known about the mushroom phone. What is the proper model designation? Sometimes just called a 500P, they were more likely either a “U” or a “P/U”. Dennis Markham, who generously provided the accompanying photos, has more to say about the mushroom on VintageRotaryPhones.com. He feels that a “P/U” designates the presence of a control switch for the light. The switch, located just outside the number 7, can be adjusted so that the light stays on dimly when not in use, serving as a night-light. (Rather like the Princess phone that would appear years later) Without the switch, the light comes on only when the handset is picked up, and those models would be a “U”. How many mushrooms were made? Unknown. What years were they produced? Oddly enough, they seem to have been made in the earlier years of model 500 production (mid-’50s), but actual years are unknown. What colors were available? Moss Green, Aqua Blue, Rose Pink and Black are known, but others were almost certainly made as well. If you see one at a local thrift shop for $20, should you snap it up?   Yes. [...]

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