Portuguese 300 Series Telephone, manufactured in 1961

THE Classic EuropeanTelephone - professionally restored, and supplied with our peace of mind guarantee

Rare AEP 332-Style Thermoplastic Telephone – A 1961 Portuguese Classic
(The exact telephone shown in the photographs is the one you will receive.)

This beautifully preserved 1961 AEP telephone, manufactured in Lisbon by Automática Eléctrica Portuguesa (AEP) under licence from Britain's ATE/ATM, is a superb example of mid-century telecommunications craftsmanship. Its crack-free thermoplastic casing makes it particularly desirable, reflecting the move away from heavy Bakelite towards lighter, more durable materials during the late 1950s and 1960s.

A Fascinating Piece of Portuguese Telecommunications History
Based on the iconic British GPO 300 series design, this Portuguese-made telephone has a particularly interesting history, with several original markings preserved on its metal baseplate.

The original NOV 61 yellow factory stamp records its manufacture and inspection at the AEP factory in Lisbon in November 1961. A second, much fainter FEV 66 stamp – referring to fevereiro, or February – indicates that the telephone was subsequently serviced and re-inspected in Portugal approximately five years later.

The base also retains the distinctive circular AEP Inspecção logo, together with the TEV / 100 component batch marking. Its smooth, flat baseplate is characteristic of AEP-produced export models.

Genuine GPO Dial No. 10
Although this telephone would originally have been fitted with an export dial, it is now equipped with a genuine British GPO Dial No. 10 in excellent condition. This is a direct, fully compatible replacement, incorporating the precision governor and substantial brass gearing associated with the GPO No. 10 dial, providing a smooth and reliable dialling action.

The Historic "Automatic" Button
Another particularly attractive feature is the original "Automatic" push-button on the top of the telephone. Such buttons are associated with the period when telephone networks were moving from manual switchboards to automatic exchanges. Although the button has no function on modern telephone networks, it adds considerable character and historical interest to the instrument.

A wonderful piece of European telecommunications history, combining the unmistakable styling of the British GPO 300 series with rare Portuguese AEP manufacture and thermoplastic construction. An excellent choice for collectors, vintage telephone enthusiasts, or anyone wanting an authentic piece of mid-century retro design for their home or office.

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.