Classic BELL Telephone - professionally restored, and supplied with our peace of mind guarantee ...Own a Classic Piece of British Design – A Rare Centenary Neophone 'Horseshoe Phone'
(the phone you will receive is the one shown in the photos above)
This beautifully restored Centenary Neophone, often referred to as the 'Horseshoe Phone', is in excellent condition and fully wired to work. Originally introduced in 1958 by Siemens Brothers to commemorate their centenary, this model is a rare find for collectors and enthusiasts alike. This particular phone for sale is the AEI version which, following corporate acquisitions, was manufactured by Associated Electrical Industries.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom, this telephone was crafted from impact-resistant polystyrene, making it lighter than earlier Bakelite models. Its distinctive horseshoe-shaped dial surround was designed to display letters for international markets, although it was often left blank.
A true example of mid-20th-century innovation, the Centenary Neophone featured a printed circuit board, an advanced technology for its time. While the General Post Office (GPO) did not adopt this model—focusing instead on the 700-series telephone—it found use with the Hull Telephone Company, private telephone systems, and international markets.
This telephone is not just a stylish piece of history, but also a fully functional device. It has been restored and adapted to work in virtually every country, and in many cases, we can ensure it is delivered with the correct plug for your telephone network—just let us know in advance. The standard plug we fit is for the UK BT telephone network.
All our telephones come with a 12-month guarantee, giving you peace of mind with your purchase.
Whether you’re looking for a standout decorative piece or a working vintage phone with character, this rare Centenary Neophone is a fantastic choice. - Original rare British telephone
- Fully restored and working
- Mechanical bell ringer inside
- Supplied with a modern BT plug as standard
- Fitted with the correct plug for your country`s network if sent outside the UK
- Incoming calls and bell ring are compatible with modern digital phone lines
- Full 1 year warranty from date of purchase.
Full repair service available after this period.
The Centenary Neophone, often referred to as the 'Horseshoe Phone' due to its distinctive horseshoe-shaped design around the dial, was introduced in 1958 by Siemens Brothers to commemorate their centenary. This model was later associated with AEI following corporate acquisitions.
Crafted from impact-resistant polystyrene, the telephone featured an artistically designed case and a lightweight handset weighing approximately 7 ounces (200 grams). The unique horseshoe-shaped area surrounding the dial was intended for displaying letters for countries that required lettered dials, though it was usually left blank.
Internally, the Centenary Neophone was notable for its use of a printed circuit board, a relatively advanced feature for its time.
While the General Post Office (GPO) did not adopt this model, focusing instead on the 700-type telephone, the Centenary Neophone found usage with the Hull Telephone Company in the UK, in private systems, and in international markets.
In summary, the Centenary Neophone stands as a significant example of mid-20th-century telephone design, reflecting both aesthetic innovation and technical advancements of its era.
Our old dial phones are fully functional for incoming calls, including the classic bell ring, on both digital and analogue telephone lines. However, for outgoing calls, the phone requires an analogue line that supports pulse dialling, which is being phased out. This typically isn’t an issue, as most owners use these telephones for incoming calls only. If you’d like to make outgoing calls, you can easily resolve this by purchasing a pulse-to-tone converter, such as the Dialgizmo, Dial-A-Tone or Rotatone. This device converts the phone's pulse signals into tone signals, making it compatible with modern systems.
 Our telephone specialist has been specialising in telephones since 1972, bringing over 40 years of experience and dedication to the location, renovation and selling of old and vintage phones. Even the earliest of instruments come lovingly restored and all but the odd early collectors piece come with a 12 month guarantee in full working order. Virtually any phone can be made to work in any country and we will supply your phone with the correct plug for your telephone socket. Telephones have proven an excellent and functional investment over the years, and, for example, the last dial phones used in Britain (the 700 series) are now also beginning to appreciate rapidly. We currently have (diminishing) quantities of most of our original phones, so why not make an investment we are sure you are not going to regret.
Usually sent to UK mainland addresses on a next-day courrier service. Delivery overseas can take a few days longer. We generally dispatch sameday if you order before 12 noon. When you input your address details, you can also add special delivery instructions. In any case, we email you your tracking details, so you will know when delivery will be attempted.
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