THE Classic British Telephone - professionally restored, and supplied with our peace of mind guaranteeRare AEP 312 Thermoplastic Telephone – A 1961 Australian Classic
(The exact telephone shown in the photos is the one you will receive.)
This beautifully preserved 1961 AEP telephone, manufactured under license, is a fantastic example of mid-century telecommunications craftsmanship. With its crack-free thermoplastic casing, it reflects the durability and evolving design of the era.
A Unique Piece of Australian Telecommunications History
Originally based on the British GPO 300 series, this AEP-produced model from 1961 represents a transition in telephone manufacturing, as thermoplastic materials gradually replaced Bakelite. Retaining the iconic shape of earlier designs, this version offers a rare glimpse into the shift toward more modern materials while preserving the classic aesthetics of its predecessors.
What makes this particular model even more special is its "Automatic" button, a feature unique to the Australian market. During the transition from manual switchboards to automatic exchanges, this button indicated that the telephone was connected to an automatic exchange, eliminating the need for operator-assisted dialing. While no longer functional on modern telephone networks, this detail adds to the historical authenticity and collectability of the piece.
A perfect addition for collectors, vintage enthusiasts, or anyone looking to bring a touch of authentic retro charm to their home or workspace.
- Fully restored and working
- Supplied with a modern BT plug (or the correct plug for your country if shipped outside the UK)
- Compatible with modern digital phone lines (for incoming calls and bell ringing)
- Backed by a full 1-year warranty (with repair services available beyond this period)
We often hear from people who have recently found
our website, that they always wanted an original authentic bakelite telephone,
but didn't know where to find them and, if they did ever come across one, it
was usually in poor condition, didn't appear original, looked as if it might
not work, or was priced way beyond their budget. We are therefore pleased to
offer our genuine, high-quality, restored and working classic bakelite telephone
range to those who wish to have the peace of mind that their investment represents
value for money, is protected by a guarantee, and can be backed up with a full
repair service if ever needed. These phones will work in virtually every country
and, in many cases - if you let us know beforehand - we can make sure the telephone
is delivered with the correct plug for your telephone network. All telephones
have a 12 month guarantee. We also offer a full repair service.
Bakelite - : Around the turn of the century, the Belgian born scientist Dr.
Leo Baekeland, working as an independent chemist, mixed carbolic acid and formaldehyde
to produce, quite by accident, a beautiful and versatile substance which came
to be known as "Bakelite". Bakelite's many uses allowed it to become a standard
item in the family home of the 1930s and 1940s, and was the standard material
for making telephones during this period. Although Bakelite could be produced
in a number of colours, it was rare that the telephone companies exploited these
possibilities; just like the early Ford motor car - "you can have any colour,
as long as it's black".
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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