Telephones from France

In 1878, the Postal and Telegraph Ministry was created to administer the services of post and telegraphy. Possibly a French government statement about the perceived importance of the telephone development, was that when the telephone appears in 1878, it is operated by a private company. In 1889, the telephone service is nationalised. In 1909 two managements clearly covering telecommunication activities are created, one for telegraphs and another for telephone services.

It isn’t until the 1970’s that Telecommunications becomes an autonomous service under the Head of Telecommunications (DGT). The DGT becomes France Telecom on January 1, 1991.

France Telecom chose the S63, which was available in a number of decorator colours and two-tones.

Pictured in the following table and made by Socotel France, this vibrant orange dial phone with the common 2nd receiver, was common in the 1970’s. It was also made in some of the more subdued tones.

French telephones that I displayed in 2006

Most recent additions

Berliner (Systeme Berliner) made in Paris, c1900	*Berliner*	*Wich* Ornate timber base and "Ball and Claw" style feet
Berliner (Systeme Berliner) made in Paris, c1900	*Berliner* Appears to have been used as the main telephone (reception) for a French restaurant	Kitchen/Concierge/Check Very unusual and delicate handset cradle

Various French telephones in the collection

*Bailleux* made from an unusual (soft) marble-like material	*Wich*	*Wich* Very unusual shaped handset with a Bakelite grip

A superb P.Jacquesson Mottled Brown Bakelite	Click for better quality pictures	Click for better quality pictures
One of my favourite Marron colour telephones	TH with a very unusual cradle	Earlier Thomson Houston
	Still popular is the 2nd receiver	Sonnette - "sleigh bells"
Test phones - Buttinski's	Ader and Pherphone	Superb Ader handset


Systeme Ader with a pencil carbon microphone on a vibrating timber diaphragm


	Some French toys