{"id":20902,"date":"2026-09-18T20:41:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=20902"},"modified":"2026-09-18T22:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T12:48:33","slug":"vintage-australian-300-series-black-bakelite-rotary-dial-telephone","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/product\/vintage-australian-300-series-black-bakelite-rotary-dial-telephone\/","title":{"rendered":"Vintage Australian 300 Series Black Bakelite Rotary Dial Desk Telephone"},"content":{"rendered":"

DESCRIPTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vintage Australian 300 Series Black Bakelite Rotary Dial Desk Telephone<\/p>\n

This substantial vintage Australian desk telephone features a classic black Bakelite-style body, matching handset, metal rotary dial and an aged telephone-number card.<\/p>\n

The familiar sculptural design is consistent with Australian 300 Series and Telephone No. 332-style telephones used during the middle decades of the twentieth century. Its curved handset, weighty construction and traditional rotary dial give it the distinctive appearance associated with early Australian home and office telephones.<\/p>\n

Identification and markings<\/strong><\/p>\n

The metal underside is marked:<\/p>\n

TELE. AUTO. D.A.<\/p>\n

S 30247<\/p>\n

This wording has been recorded exactly as it appears. The number is believed to be an identification, inventory or serial marking and has not been confirmed as the telephone\u2019s model number.<\/p>\n

The overall design is consistent with the Australian 300 Series telephone family. It is therefore described as a 300 Series-style telephone rather than being attributed to an exact model without further internal identification.<\/p>\n

Dial and telephone-number card<\/p>\n

The dial retains an aged paper card reading:<\/p>\n

AREA CODE 03<\/p>\n

241 3893<\/p>\n

Telephone-number cards were replaceable and were often updated during a telephone\u2019s working life. The number card should therefore not be used by itself to determine when the telephone was manufactured.<\/p>\n

Display and collecting appeal<\/p>\n

Black Bakelite rotary telephones are admired for their substantial construction, mechanical character and strong association with Australian domestic and communications history.<\/p>\n

This example would make an appealing addition to a vintage telephone collection, mid-century interior, office display, photographic setting, theatre production or film-prop collection.<\/p>\n

Measurements<\/strong><\/p>\n

Approximately 25 cm wide \u00d7 20 cm deep \u00d7 14 cm high<\/p>\n

Weight<\/p>\n

Approximately 2,423 g<\/p>\n

Condition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Presented in great vintage cosmetic condition with general surface marks, light scratches, dial wear and age-related discolouration consistent with previous use.<\/p>\n

The telephone-number card shows staining and wear. The cord also displays age-related marking. These details have been retained as part of the telephone\u2019s vintage character.<\/p>\n

Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.<\/p>\n

Testing and modern compatibility<\/p>\n

The telephone has not been connected to a telephone service or tested. Its dialling, ringing, transmitting and receiving functions are therefore unknown.<\/p>\n

Compatibility with current Australian NBN, modem and internet-based telephone services has not been established. A suitable connection, rewiring or pulse-to-tone converter may be required if the telephone is intended for use.<\/p>\n

It is offered as an untested vintage collectable and decorative display item.<\/p>\n

Read our Vintage Australian Telephones History, Identification, Models and Collecting Guide<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Browse our\u00a0Vintage Telephones & Communication Collectables<\/p>\n

About TMC Emporium<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMC Emporium offers an evolving collection of vintage, collectable and decorative items sourced throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each item is individually photographed and described, with care taken to accurately represent its condition.<\/p>\n

Please browse our other listings to discover more vintage and collectable treasures.<\/p>\n

TMCEJC-0000086 C<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A substantial vintage Australian 300 Series-style black Bakelite rotary-dial desk telephone with matching handset and aged 03 telephone-number card.<\/p>\n

Dating broadly from the mid-twentieth century, this untested telephone offers strong decorative appeal and an evocative connection to Australian communications history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":20918,"template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"slim_seo":{"title":"Vintage Australian Bakelite Rotary Telephone | TMC","description":"Vintage Australian 300 Series-style black Bakelite rotary-dial desk telephone with handset. Mid-century collectable in great untested condition."},"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"_slim_seo_primary_term_product_brand":0,"_slim_seo_primary_term_product_cat":836,"_slim_seo_primary_term_product_tag":0},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[836,1325],"product_tag":[1329,1327,1328,1326,1330],"class_list":["post-20902","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-tmc-emporium","product_cat-vintage-telephones-communication-collectables","product_tag-300-series-telephone","product_tag-bakelite-telephone","product_tag-rotary-dial-telephone","product_tag-vintage-australian-telephone","product_tag-vintage-communications","first","instock","sold-individually","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/20902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/20902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20946,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/20902\/revisions\/20946"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=20902"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=20902"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themccorrycollection.com\/m\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=20902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}