Black Bakelite with chrome Mother in Law receiver, brass plate.An antique, ca. 1907, wooden phone with black Bakelite and chrome Mother in Law receiver earpiece unique to French telephones. Original screws. The button at top of the wooden cabinet was used to connect to the Operator. Brass manufacturer plate on front of wood cabinet, stamped SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE DES TELEPHONES 25 RUE DU 4 SEPTEMBRE, PARIS. On chrome receiver handset is stamped, SOCIETE INDLLE [INDUSTRIELLE] DES TELEPHONES and SERIE M NO. 89085 and other manufacturers marks. Antique metal patina. Age related wear to wood phone cabinet. Incised on chrome Mother-in-Law receiver earpiece STE. INDLLE. [SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE] DES TELEPHONES-PARIS. Slight fraying to original cord. The Societe Industrielle des Telephones (Industrial Telephone Society) was formed in 1880 in Paris, France to exploit the patents of Edison, Gray and Louis F. C. Breguet. This phone is sometimes referred to as a Banjo Phone, because of its resemblance to a Banjo Clock. Issued: c. 1907 Dimensions: 15"H Country of Origin: France