Category(s): WHAT'S NEW | Red Telephone Boxes & Accessories

Original K6D untouched since 1985!

Ashes to Ashes/Life on Mars era!

Description:
This 1954 K6D was located in Stowmarket, Suffolk & purchased by the late owner from British Telecom in 1985. The engineer lifted the kiosk over the owners garden wall with a Hiab crane & without thought placed the kiosk against the garage wall, door facing the wall! The following day another contractor came to remove the interior & payphone - alas he could not get inside, concequently the equipment was 'written off'. The kiosk has remained in a time warp since that cold morning in 1985!

The kiosk has not been painted since being decomissioned thus has peeled, revealing some rather interesting white markings on the undercoat. The code 169D is visable in three seperate locations on the kiosk, something that is rarely seen on 'street condition' examples due to dozen of layers of paint hiding any clues to its production... This example was produced by the Lion Foundry, and a guess would say that is the 169th example of that year, 'D' being its assembly orientation.

The interior comprises an original topboard, that is earlier that the 70's set up. It bears the location holes for the earlier 'Jubilee' set up & houses the cutout provision for the 'Emergency' button. The three chrome frames are originals as are the mounting clips. Two of the instruction & area codes notices are still in place, although rather faided...understandably! The old 5p acceptance has been crossed out and marked accordingly, thus could only accept 10p. The original grey 705 payphone is in place, again completely untouched since 1985. It's retained its cashbox, although locked could hold vintage treasure...who knows? The old 5p coin slot has been blanked off so it could only accept the old 10p coins. The lower board is complete and houses the 705 POA and a two tier shelving unit with formica tops. To my amazement it has the chrome cigarette holder mounted to the left hand side between the 705 & the shelving! The closure mech is excellent and has the earlier cast iron arm setup thus retains that period squeek & non slamming action operation. The kiosk has retained all of its glass 'TELEPHONE' transoms & is glazed to a majority of original glass housed by original inner cast iron glazing frames! The kiosk's cast iron shell is superb with no visable damage. The door is excellent & the teakwood frame sound.

Overall something that is incredibly rare & difficult to value. A full provinance with this unique piece of unspoilt history. Fully restored this K6 would be worth in excess of £6000.

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