Equipment Catalogs of the Open Wire Era
When I was very young, this old catalog was given as a gift to me. In the midst of cleaning my parents home after their deaths, I came across this item well hidden from damage. Unfortunately, I don’t recall the donor’s name, but much appreciate the gift. I think you will too. It is being published here for the first time in 2016. This was the first Western Electric Catalog I know to be published on their equipment lines. The date: 1880.
I think you will heartily enjoy leafing through it. It is yellowed with age, but is largely undamaged and the line illustrations are fascinating works of art! From time to time, we will add some other vendor’s catalogs as they become available to us.
Sadly, in this particular WE first publication, there are very few sale articles pertaining to open wire application, however, the instruments, sets and paraphernalia are noteworthy in and of themselves. Some great and unusual business-type instruments for commercial houses.






















Graybar Electric Catalog 1928 – Open Wire Materials For Telephone
Here are a few pages from a 1928 catalog featuring poles, crossarms and a variety of other accessories for the well dressed pole of the era.