TELEPHONE: BLACK TABLE TELEPHONE

a) Upright black telephone connected with coiled cord to Handset and a line with plug attached. Instrument has sloping front and sides are cut away to form a ledge. The back ends in two flaring posts [cradle] designed to stop hand set from sliding over when on hook. At centre of disk where more modern telephones have dials, is a handle which you turned to call switchboard operator to put you through to the required number. Instructions on disk read as follows: To call: 'Turn handle and lift hand set. When finished replace handset and turn handle.' The instrument rests on flat rubber rings like washers. The number 'S 15' is written in black on base. There is a sticker from Postal Workshops Perth which gives the date of the last test as 21.3.72, the signature of tester, as well as the following numbers: B No. 462 and SER 1/403.

b) Handset has a copper disk with three perforations set into its mouthpieces concave surface, while the receiving end has a series of perforations in its recess, numbered RD no.34995. This telephone was used mainly in country areas or else as office phones connected to office switchboard.