Selling your Antique Telephone

We are always looking to buy Genuine British Bakelite telephones suitable for restoration or for use as spare parts.

What is the best way to sell your Old Bakelite Telephone?

You will usually get the most money for your antique telephone if you sell it directly to an individual collector or through a rented display in an antique centre. Expect to get much less if you sell it to a dealer/restorer, and even less if you sell it at auction (online or otherwise).

When is it better to sell to a Dealer/Restorer rather than at Auction?

(This guidance only applies if your telephone is a British bakelite telephone)

1. If your telephone is in good condition with no cracks or chips (above a few mm) and it has not been professionally converted restored and serviced, a dealer/restorer can normally offer you more for it than you would get if you were to sell it at an online auction etc.
2. If your telephone has been professionally converted, restored/ serviced and it is in good condition with no cracks or chips (above a few mm) you will probably get more for if you were to sell it at an online auction.
3. If your telephone has any hairline cracks to the main body or significant chips you will usually get more for it at an auction.

Most dealers including ourselves will pay more for telephones that they buy directly from individuals rather than from an online auction etc. Basically when buying from an online auction there is a significant risk that the bakelite will have cracks or other damage, so dealers offer less at auction to compensate for that risk. However when buying directly from and individual a dealer can examine the telephone before paying for it. Removing this risk means a dealer is usually able to offer 20% to 30% more for the telephone.

If you are interested in selling your telephone to us please e-mail us:

1. A description of the telephone (eg an unconverted Black bakelite 300 series telephone with a chrome dial and braided handset cord).
2. List of any damage, cracks chips (including location and approx size in mm) etc
3. Any markings (numbers/letters), usually under the base and in the oval shape on the underside of the handset.
4. Digital pictures, if you have them.

If you do have a price in mind please be as realistic as possible as we don’t believe in haggling (it’s far too stressful).

Please be aware that we do not send payment until we have inspected the telephone and confirmed the condition in our workshop.

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