| Name | Western Electric Long Island Phone Co. Payphone |
| Date | Similar to the Design Line consumer conversions. 1970s- interesting commercially sold conversion of 3 slots for home phone use. Mechanisms removed. Recognisable by the “555” number on the instruction card. |
| Manufacturer | Western Electric |
Development of the Long Island Phone Co. Payphone
| Long Island Phone Company – Western Electric Payphones The Long Island Phone Company, based in New Hyde Park, New York 11040, was a U.S. mail-order seller of telephone equipment active primarily from the 1960s through the early 1980s. The company became known for reselling surplus Western Electric (WE) payphones, particularly during the period when Bell System equipment controls were loosening. Many payphones sold by the company were refurbished and modified for private or novelty use, rather than preserved in original Bell operating condition. As a result, collectors often regard these units as heavily altered and non-original. Common Characteristics of Long Island Phone Co. Units Locks typically missing. This may have been due to restrictions preventing resale with original locks, or because locks were removed prior to wholesale distribution. Extensive modifications. Coin mechanisms were frequently disabled. Housings were often repainted. Dials or keypads were sometimes replaced or swapped. Touch-Tone to rotary conversions. Some green 1234G (10-button Touch-Tone) sets were reportedly converted to rotary using Automatic Electric (AE) dials, then repainted black. Instruction card irregularities. Many units contain aftermarket or reproduction instruction cards displaying a “151” area code and lacking the original protective plastic window. Under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), valid area codes follow an NXX format (first digit 2–9); therefore, no legitimate area code begins with “1.” Period References Contemporary sources reference the company as a mail-order supplier of payphones configured for residential use. A 1970s publication associated with phone-phreak culture describes ordering a New York Telephone–style payphone from Long Island Phone Co., supplied with a standard plug and with the coin-activation mechanism disconnected. A 1980 issue of Popular Mechanics lists “Long Island Phone Company” in New Hyde Park, NY 11040, consistent with national mail-order advertising. Collector Context While these units are often visually convincing and were historically affordable, they are generally considered modified surplus instruments rather than authentic, in-service Bell System paystations. Buyers seeking original Western Electric payphones are typically advised to exercise caution when evaluating examples associated with Long Island Phone Company refurbishment. |
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