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Up for sale/sale is a highly complete, remarkably preserved piece of mid-century American telecommunications history: an original 1961 Automatic Electric 3-Slot Rotary Payphone (Code No. LPB-89-55). Manufactured by the Automatic Electric Company (the manufacturing arm for GTE) in Huntsville, Alabama, this "independent network" payphone is a phenomenal survivor from the golden era of public coin-operated telephones.KEY FEATURES & COLLECTOR HIGHLIGHTS:
Original Matching Keys Included: Finding a vintage 3-slot payphone with working keys is rare. This listing includes a matching pair of stamped "491233" keys that smoothly unlock the lower housing mechanisms.
Complete Internal Components: -The lower vault door is unforced and completely intact. Inside, it features the highly sought-after original sheet-metal coin/cash storage drawer box which easily slides out.
- Authentic 3-Slot Gauge: Features the classic top chrome coin entry shroud configured for 25¢, 10¢, and 5¢ deposits.
- Original Factory ID Badge: The crisp, original red aluminum factory identification plate is riveted to the lower frame, clearly reading: CODE NO. LPB-89-55 | GTE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA | MADE IN U.S.A.
- Armored Handset: Equipped with the correct, rugged heavy-duty chrome armored handset cord.COSMETIC & MECHANICAL CONDITION:Cosmetic: This phone is in beautiful vintage aesthetic condition. It displays a gorgeous, authentic patina from real-world historical deployment. There are minor scuffs, light surface wear, and faint spots of the original red-orange factory primer peeking through the bottom vault edges—showing it has never been subjected to a messy, cheap modern repaint. The chrome coin gauge and dial numbers are sharp and highly legible.Mechanical / Functional: The rotary dial rotates smoothly and snaps back with the correct mechanical timing. The coin return lever operates properly. The internal telephone electronics appear complete and undisturbed, but please note: this unit is sold as an authentic, untested historical artifact. It has not been modified or tested on a modern digital home phone line.SHIPPING & HANDLING: This is a heavy, solid-metal industrial item weighing approximately 25–30 lbs. It will be professionally packed, wrapped in heavy-duty bubble wrap, and shipped in a sturdy, double-walled box to ensure it arrives at your doorstep exactly as pictured.
