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Home Products Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Home Products Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone
Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone

Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone

Orders $35+ Ship Free

$59.99 $64.99

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This is an authentic Western Electric Model 500 rotary desk telephone in a striking avocado green—the color that defined mid-century American kitchens and living rooms.

Manufactured by Western Electric for the Bell System, this phone comes complete with its original coiled handset cord and a fully functional rotary dial.

Details

  • Era: 1960s–1970s (peak avocado color era)
  • Item type: Desktop rotary telephone / desk phone
  • Materials: Plastic body (hard plastic housing), metal rotary dial, rubber feet
  • Color: Avocado green, vibrant and intact
  • Size / Measurements: 9" H × 5" W × 6" D; weight approximately 3 lbs 15 oz
  • Texture / Finish: Smooth hard plastic with slight sheen; matte finish on rotary dial
  • Style notes: Mid-century Modern, retro, 1960s–70s Americana kitchen style
  • Manufacturer: Western Electric Company for Bell System (USA)

Condition Grade: Very Good UNTESTED

Positives

  • Dial moves smoothly and is fully functional
  • Original avocado green finish intact and vibrant
  • Original coiled handset cord present
  • Handset cradle secure and intact
  • Base solid with mounting holes functional
  • Clean, complete condition overall

Issues / Wear

  • Light surface wear on base and body consistent with age
  • Minor scuffs on the plastic housing from normal handling and storage
  • Label shows age-appropriate wear and fading
  • UNTESTED AS FOUND

See all photos—sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key

  • Near Fine — minimal wear; clean.
  • Very Good — light wear; clean; minor flaws.
  • Good — noticeable wear.
  • Fair — heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.

Collector's Notes

Western Electric Model 500 phones are the workhorses of the rotary era—millions were installed in homes and offices from the 1950s through the 1980s. The avocado color especially captures a moment in design history when that shade felt modern and optimistic. Collectors now prize these phones for their design purity, their honest engineering, and their ability to evoke a specific era. They're also surprisingly durable; many still work perfectly.

Whether you're furnishing a retro kitchen, styling a shelf of mid-century finds, or chasing the nostalgia of growing up with one of these phones, this Model 500 brings genuine warmth and a little smile every time you look at it.

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Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.

Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.

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