Pay telephone, 1916

gelatin silver print

8 x 10 gelatin silver print made from an 8 x 10 glass plate negative, taken by Rosenfeld and Sons. Image taken as part of long term commissioned work and documentation for the American Telephone & Telegraph Company, ranging from 1910 through the 1940s. View of a pay telephone on November 3, 1916. Telephone is mounted to a wall while a mans and reaches to insert a nickel. Instructions on telephone read: "BEFORE CALLING, CONSULT DIRECTORY FOR RATES. HAVE CORRECT CHANGE IN NICKELS, DIMES, OR QUARTERS. TO CALL OPERATOR, DEPOSIT ONE COIN ONLY IN PROPER SLOT. WHERE RATE IS 5c, THE COIN DEPOSITED WILL BE RETURNED WHEN OPERATOR ASKS FOR CORRECT AMOUNT, DEPOSIT ONE COIN AT A TIME. RETURNED COINS WILL BE FOUND IN THE OPENING AT BOTTOM OF BOX.". Plate affixed to telephone reads: "The Gray Telephone Pay Station Company and The Western Electric Company Makers". Embossed in lower right corner: "MORRIS ROSENFELD / N.Y.".

Mystic Seaport, Rosenfeld Collection