Retro Telephones

If you want to add a little retro style to your home, one decoration choice for fans of the past is an old-fashioned style telephone.

A retro phone is certainly something a little different. A phone from the 1900s or 1950s is sure to provide a talking point for whenever you have friends around at your place.

Although they may look like something from a previous decades, there are plenty of retro phones available to buy which all function just as well as a modern phone.

Let's take a look at a few retro style telephones which can each add a touch of class to any lounge, hallway or kitchen.

The candlestick telephone is a style of telephone which was common from the 1890s to the 1930s.

Also known as a desk stand, upright or stick phone, this type of phone had a mouth piece at the top of the stand and a receiver which was held by the user to their ear. When not in use, the receiver rested in the fork of a hook. The first Candlestick phones were introduced when the magneto system was in use, which meant that the phone was connected to a large wooden box containing a battery, bell, and crank.

This Crosley Black Candlestick Phone is a modern day replica of the vintage phone from the 1900's. This phone has a decorative dial which functions as a push button for tone/pulse operation. It also has a center medallion which is used as a redial button.

This Paramount Antique Wall is something that might have been used back in 1903.

While this mahogany wood phone might look like something plucked from the past, this modern reproduction actually has plenty of up-to-date features

The phone has push button tone dialing, with a center medallion button for redial. There is a receiver volume control, as well as a control for the ringer.

Step back to the fifties and imagine you are in an old fashioned phone booth making a 10-cent call.

The 3-slot style payphone which this Crosley 1950 Pay Phone is based on was used from the 1950's until around 1965. It's a prepay style phone. Phones used before this one were actually post-pay. The user could make their call and then pay after they had finished.

You don't have to pay for your calls with this replica, but you can enjoy using the functional coin slots which jingles as your money is deposited into the coin bank. A nice touch. It's a fun phone for anybody who wants to be transported back to the fifties.

Fifties design can also be found in this Crosley 320 Wall Phone.

This chrome replica has the look of a rotary phone, but functions as an easy to use push button phone. It looks great in a kitchen, living room or office.

While looking like something from the past, it comes with contemporary features, such as a redial button and earpiece volume control.

Henry Dreyfuss worked with Bell Telephone Laboratories designing phones for the home.

One of his most celebrated designs was the Dreyfuss Wall Phone. The phone could often be found in places where there wasn't much tabletop space available, such as kitchens or bars. It was also frequently found in basements, covered patios and garages. This replica gives you the chance to enjoy his famous phone in any of those places.

While retro fans can enjoy the look of the rotary dial, this modern version actually functions with push button technology. Other features include a redial feature as well as tone/pulse. The ringer and earpiece volume can also be easily altered.