Vanity Cabinet Desk Phone

Quarter sawn oak vanity desk, originally from the Mike Ayers collection in Topeka, Kansas. These sets, typically oak or cherry, had the telephone circuitry on the flat surface of the desk. Behind the glass was the magneto, bell, induction coil and switch. Batteries were located in the cabinet beneath the top of the desk. These were generally found in places like hotel lobbies and offices. Circa 1892.