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Non-Met & Early Met Signage

Started by domvar, Oct 19, 2016, 04:08 am

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hb88banzai

Oct 28, 2016, 08:34 pm #15 Last Edit: Oct 31, 2016, 09:37 am by hb88banzai
From what I can make out, I believe this is the full text to the early City of Manchester Post phone door instruction sign:


INSTRUCTIONS

TO CALL { A
              POLICE OFFICER
              FIRE BRIGADE
              AMBULANCE


OPEN DOOR, TAKE HOLD OF TELEPHONE,
PLACE RECEIVER TO EAR AND SPEAK
MESSAGE INTO MOUTHPIECE OF
INSTRUMENT. WHEN A REPLY HAS
BEEN RECEIVED, CLOSE DOOR
AND WAIT AT BOX UNTIL REQUIRED
ASSISTANCE ARRIVES.

ANY PERSON IMPROPERLY
USING THE TELEPHONE WILL BE
LIABLE TO A PENALTY.

J. MAXWELL
CHIEF CONSTABLE


Note that some of the punctuation is speculative.

The early Manchester Box version (they did have several Box designs over the years) is spaced differently due to the differences in the sign dimensions and layout, but is likely the same text.


EDIT: In looking at the blurry early Box version of the instructions, there appears to be some additional text between "... when a reply has been received." and "... and wait at Box until required assistance arrives." Instead of just "Close door" there are what looks to be six words in between -- possibly "HANG UP TELEPHONE RECEIVER, CLOSE DOOR" and then the rest as with the Post. The order is also changed on the "TO CALL" list.

Box layout is like this (at least for the early, Sunderland type Manchester Boxes):

INSTRUCTIONS

TO CALL { A POLICE OFFICER
              AMBULANCE
              FIRE BRIGADE

OPEN DOOR, TAKE HOLD OF TELEPHONE, PLACE RECEIVER
TO EAR AND SPEAK MESSAGE INTO MOUTHPIECE OF INSTRUMENT.
WHEN A REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED, (?? HANG UP TELEPHONE
RECEIVER, CLOSE DOOR ??) AND WAIT AT BOX UNTIL REQUIRED
ASSISTANCE ARRIVES.

ANY PERSON IMPROPERLY USING THE TELEPHONE
WILL BE LIABLE TO A PENALTY.

J. MAXWELL, CHIEF CONSTABLE

ironageman

Yes! I agree, about the post sign at least.
Just logged in to post the following but you were ahead of me (by a few days!)...

INSTRUCTIONS TO CALL A POLICE OFFICER / AMBULANCE / FIRE BRIGADE

OPEN DOOR, TAKE HOLD OF TELEPHONE, PLACE [[box sign may read 'PUT']] RECEIVER TO EAR AND SPEAK MESSAGE INTO MOUTHPIECE OF INSTRUMENT. WHEN A REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED [[box sign adds three or four words, possibly 'REPLACE TELEPHONE RECEIVER']], CLOSE DOOR AND WAIT AT BOX UNTIL REQUIRED ASSISTANCE ARRIVES.

ANY PERSON IMPROPERLY USING THE TELEPHONE WILL BE LIABLE TO A PENALTY.

J. MAXWELL
CHIEF CONSTABLE
leonard cohen  1934-2016  standing by the window where the light is strong

ironageman

I've just had a look at the largest image of the box on Flickr and the box does read PLACE, not PUT - there didn't seem enough space but it was an illusion. It is, however, almost certainly REPLACE TELEPHONE RECEIVER before CLOSE DOOR.
leonard cohen  1934-2016  standing by the window where the light is strong

ironageman

Here are exactly the colours that don't show up well on pre-war black-and-white film...
police  ambulance  fire brigade.jpg
leonard cohen  1934-2016  standing by the window where the light is strong

starcross

Sep 08, 2020, 09:10 pm #19 Last Edit: Sep 19, 2020, 01:58 am by starcross
Quote from: ironageman on Oct 27, 2016, 03:17 pmExcellent picture of it! Whatever it is, it's probably too finely printed to be enamel.
I wonder whether there are any nice clear shots of any of these anywhere about...?

RIMG0370.JPG

s-l1600.jpg

I found one today, it is enamel.
Its also for sale, but 400 quid is a bit much even for me.
I don't doubt its real however.

If you want it its on ebay right now (Sept 08 2020) for another three days. Ends on September 11 2020.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133511916217


Updated Listing is for 30 Days Ends on Oct 18 2020.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133522756016

Listing reads:
Original Police Call Box Telephone Enamel Sign Pre Dr Who Tardis GPO.

Size 20x15cm approx.

Superb sign that was fitted to the blue box police kiosk, on the design that predated the famous Tardis shape. The ones these were on looked more shed like. Excellent condition, it has had some expert restoration around the words received, close door, clearly and police. It is very difficult to tell to be honest. Small corner chip as per photos. An extremely rare sign from my collection.  Will be well packed for fully insured postage. Thanks for looking.

mikey

I was really tempted by this but think it was somewhat over priced, so did the worlds biggest auction because it didn't sell.
"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

kutan66


mikey

"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

kutan66

Quote from: mikey on Sep 16, 2020, 06:02 pmDid you buy it?

No, just a quick play in photoshop.

I do like the sign though.

starcross

Sep 19, 2020, 02:09 am #24 Last Edit: Sep 19, 2020, 02:17 am by starcross
Quote from: kutan66 on Sep 16, 2020, 08:41 pmNo, just a quick play in photoshop.

He relisted the sign, but has a best offer button now. Best offers are tricky because they usually auto reject if you go below 60% of the listed price. I made an offer of £150 it was instantly rejected.  I would think that £100 would be about the right price for something like that.
Certainly most of my police box parts have been purchased for about £150 or less.

Anyway how did you use the auction photos to straighten the sign out. The seller intentionally took all the photos crooked to prevent that exact bit of IP theft.




mikey

My bids have been auto rejected too. I think he has set it to auto reject anything under £350/390.

Want to go half's and loan it to a museum?
"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

starcross

Quote from: mikey on Sep 19, 2020, 09:46 amI think he has set it to auto reject anything under £350/390.
Want to go half's and loan it to a museum?

I would be up for that!
Which museum would make sense though?

Its a bit of a Moot point though, I see the Auction says "this listing is closed."
I got a notice earlier today that he dropped the price to £375, so its possible it was bought by someone.

mikey

I'm afraid that was me, I really need to stop going on eBay drunk.

15D8C42F-AB1B-4E59-8B2E-29E68178BA53.jpeg

"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."