Section 2-Books & Videos

Info Index

Many people ask if there are any books for collectors and for identifying old telephones; the answer is yes! A comprehensive listing of companies within the 'Book Trade Industry' can be found at BOOKWEB

SHIRE PUBLICATIONS

Relevant books from the extensive series are:-
  • OLD RADIO SETS by Jonathan Hill.
  • OLD TELEPHONES by Andrew Emmerson. [Reprinted in 2000]
  • OLD TELEVISION by Andrew Emmerson.
  • PHONE BOXES by Neil Johannessen
  • PHONE CARDS by Yves Arden (edited by Andrew Emmerson)

Old Telephones by Andrew Emmerson


Andrew Emmerson's handy book OLD TELEPHONES has been reprinted by Shire
Publications and now comes in a stiff, laminated cover. There are some minor updates to the contacts list, but otherwise the text and pictures are unchanged.

Brief but comprehensive and well illustrated paperbacks in the Shire Albums series, modestly priced between £2.25-£2.95 from Shire Publications, Cromwell House, Church Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks., HP17 9AJ. Visit them on-line at www.shirebooks.co.uk/ and look under Mechanical & Electrical Bygones.

OTHER PUBLISHERS

  • The BRITISH TELEPHONE IDENTIFIER is a word-processor and photocopier-produced book, presented in a smart plastic binder. It contains approaching 150 pages of illustrations and detailed notes on just about every telephone used in this country since the turn of the century right into the 1980s. The production is almost as thick as a telephone directory and is indispensable for the serious collector. Price £10.00 post-paid from   Rob Grant.

    If you remember a time when Dial Tone was really loud and low pitched, nothing like the namby pamby shrill tones we hear today, then be sure to visit  the Telephone Tones Menagerie found within Rob Grant's Telephone Pages !

  • ELECTRONIC CLASSICS: COLLECTING, RESTORATION & REPAIR by THG member Andrew Emmerson. Published August 1998 by Newnes- Reasonably priced at £19.99, this book explores the many facets of repairs and restoration to all types of  'classic electronic' equipment. It's 33 chapters cover, telephones, telegraphs, radios, TV, early hi-fi, with details showing how to collect, restore and enjoy these treasures. Check the review by Dicky Howett.

  • LONDON'S SECRET TUBES - by Andrew Emmerson and Tony Beard

    For the first time, an authoritative and intriguing book tells comprehensively the true story of the vast underground shelters and government citadels constructed during the Second World War and afterwards. Other revelations include never-before published details of express tube railway lines to relieve congestion on existing tracks, the plans to relocate the complete mechanism of government and parliament to north-west London, and the standby studios constructed underground by the BBC in case Broadcasting House was destroyed. Details are given of disused tube stations converted to other uses and the vast underground factory constructed in tunnels intended for a new tube line. Speculation over notable projects half constructed and then abandoned is exposed as myth as well.
    London's Secret Tubes by Andrew Emmerson and Tony Beard London's wartime citadels, subways and shelters uncovered

    In clear, factual terms a team of specialist authors set out the results of extensive primary research, much of which has never been published before. Enhancing the text are dozens of archival and other photographs, nearly all seen for the first time in London's Secret Tubes.

    You can buy a copy at:

    • London Transport Museum shop in London's Covent Garden.
    • Motor Books (St Martin's Lane, off Charing Cross Road}.
    • Specialist transport bookshops, through a local bookshop as a special order.
    • Over the Internet from www.amazon.co.uk


  • NUMBER PLEASE by THG member Dave Occomore is a history of early London Telephone Exchanges between 1880-1912 and is available from
    Ian Henry Publications 20 Park Drive, Romford, Essex, RM1 4LH
    Telephone (01708) 749119 
    £9-95 plus p&p. ISBN 0-86025-462-3. (92 pages with pictures)

    This book should satisfy anyone with an interest in how the capital's telephone service developed. Dave is a meticulous researcher and has quoted many of his sources. Of particular interest are the chapters describing the overhead lines distribution system and the 'Electrophone.'  The working conditions of  the operators and technicians have not been ignored and a number of humorous anecdotes lighten the otherwise serious text.

  • OLD TIME TELEPHONES - DESIGN, HISTORY AND RESTORATION by Ralph O. Meyer.

    Old-Time Telephones! Design, History and Restoration by Ralph O. Meyer. Published by Schiffer Books and distributed in Britain by Bushwood Books Ltd, £24.95. ISBN 0-7643-2282-6, 264 pages, paperback. Available online from www.amazon.co.uk for just £14.32

    This is the second edition (expanded and revised) of the book which was originally entitled 'Old Time Telephones - Technology , Restoration and Repair by the same author.

    www.bushwoodbooks.co.uk/book_template.php?isbn=0764322826




  • TELEPHONE TALK - from invention to internet telephony by Dave Dockray
    A brand new book that is easy to read, and understand, which takes a very different look at Telephony...
    Telephone Talk by Dave Dockray
    Whether people like phones or not; these antique and collectibles will fascinate readers! It covers 19th century phones to 21st century mobile & Internet communications, and a lot of the "para-PHONE-alia" that just happened because of the phone.

    Starting with the invention and the inventors, in each chapter, telephones typical of each decade, plus switchboards/telephone exchanges typical of the period and how calls are connected.

    There is also a section devoted to the repair and restoration of the telephones of each era.

    In addition to the obvious aspects of telephone history, "Telephone talk" shows some of the unusual and very interesting telephone related collectibles.

    Visit the Phone Doc for more details and to purchase your copy today!


  • VINTAGE TELEPHONES OF THE WORLD by Peter Povey and Reg Earl. Originally published in 1988, the book has long since gone out of print but it is an excellent book and a 'veritable bible of telephony'. Hardback, 200 pages, 263 illustrations. Available at a price far below the cost of the first edition - £20 plus £1.50 post and packing. Telephone Lines Ltd, 304 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JF. Telephone (01242) 583699, fax (01242) 690033. Best to ring first to check availability.

OUT OF PRINT BOOKS

Older textbooks on telephony and telegraphy are a valuable source of circuit diagrams and  information in general.

  • TELEPHONY  Vol I & II- published by Pitman are excellent books well worth  tracking down.
    The pre-war edition was by Herbert and Procter, whereas the post-war revision was by Atkinson.
  • Poole's TELEPHONE HANDBOOK (also published by Pitman) is also useful.
  • Herbert's TELEGRAPHY (Pitman)-The standard work on telegraphy.

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