Valentine’s Day Western Electric – Model 554

From my collection of “soft plastic” Western Electric Model 554’s is this red one made on Valentine’s Day in 1957.  As you can see by the attached photo the case is stamped 2 14 57 3, indicating it was made on February 14, 1957 on the third shift that day—a Thursday.

Valentine's Day Model 554

Other dated parts are within a few days of the 14th.  I kept the dial card that came on the phone.  The 502 area code is from central Kentucky but I think someone along the way stamped the phone number on the original card.  What would be the chances that someone’s phone number would be 214-1957??  The Area Code card more than likely would not have been in existence in 1957.  Certainly the card was added by a previous owner. Read the rest of this post »