Monday, October 2, 2023

Walt Aydelotte reported the following information on an ATCA members passing. His email is as follows:

I recently became aware of the passing of longtime member Terry Gatons (No. 263) of Greensburg Pa.  He passed away in the Fall of 2021.   While Terry had become inactive in recent years, he had previously been very involved.  

I first met Terry at an antique car show in Dunkirk, N.Y. where I was set up selling old  phones with my Father-in-law, who was selling Model A car parts.  He walked up, with a cowboy hat on, and announced “I collect candlestick phones”.  We hit it off immediately, and he bought 2 of my Candlesticks. We then agreed to contact each other weekly ( I lived in Pittsford, NY and he lived in Greensburg Pa.) 

He immediately started working on me to join ATCA.  I did join and he immediately started introducing me to some of his contacts who were Pickers or Phone Collectors.  The list included Ken Cole, Dorsey Snyder, Steve Howell, Harry Snyder, Ken King, Bob Newell, Odis Levrier, Cloyd Carter, Paul Mirts, Lonnie Lewis, Gordon & Alvin Esslinger etc.   Terry was a traveling salesman in the mining businesses in Pa, W.VA, VA, Ohio and North Carolina.  He was constantly running into old phones so he always had stuff to sell or trade for his beloved candlestick phones.  Terry also loved old cars and the associated collectables of that field.

Terry was a superb gentlemen and friend of everyone, who was always fun to be with.   The hobby lost a tremendous ambassador with his passing.  RIP my friend.

Walt Aydelotte

you can view the obituary by clicking here

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Updated show details for the Enfield, Connecticut show on November 3, 2023. Click here

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Posted an upcoming show date and information for Enfield, Connecticut on November 3, 2023. See UPCOMING SHOWS tab for more details!

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Posted photos of the 2023 ATCA National Show at California, Kentucky. Click here

Sunday, April 23, 2023

We have been notified by our Newsletter Editor John Huckeby that due to family circumstances that have arisen, the regional show in show in Shipshewana, Indiana in May will be cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. We hope to see you at the National Show in August at the Engle’s golf course in Kentucky. Check our events tab for details.

Monday, April 17, 2023

Added two entries to the EVENTS tab for the upcoming TCI shows in June and September. Click here

Sunday, February 12, 2023

We are again sad to inform everyone that Robert S. “Bob” Clark, #692 of New Bedford, Massachusetts passed away on October 25, 2022 surrounded by family. His son notified the club this week of his dads passing. You can read the obituary at the link here, and also see an article written in the March 2022 newsletter about his passion for telephones and his restored telephone trucks.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

We are sad to inform everyone of the passing of ATCA member Rob Honecycutt of South Carolina. You may view his obituary here

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Mike Davis sent in the following information to the club: The Long Island Telephone Museum has been closed for a couple years. The plan it for it to be freshened up a bit and reopened with a grand reopening in the Spring.  It now has an Instagram page and a Facebook page is planned.  The Instagram page is located at https://www.instagram.com/longislandtelephonemuseum/ and will be updated with new news and information weekly.

Saturday, November 12, 2022

The following non-non-member is looking for a “#9 Potbelly”. Please contact him from the following info which came in from our website:

Hello, My name is Bill Anderson from Atlanta, Would you know of anyone that has complete  #9 potbelly for sale? I got your contact info from the ATCA. I can be reached at 404-272-7131 or billanderson10257@yahoo.com. Regards, Bill Anderson

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

ATCA Board Seeking Nominees for Smitty Award

We are starting out our new year with the Smitty Award.  Nominees must be living ATCA Club Members in good standing.  Note the criteria below when considering a Nominee and let us know how your choice fulfills this criteria.  Contact Scotty Poling at spoling@socal.rr.com with your choice by December 31, 2022.  The Officers and Board Members will select one candidate.  Thank you for your participation!  

The Clarence A. Smith (ATCA’s first Secretary Treasurer.) Award

This Award was named in his honor.) The “Smitty Award” is presented to those members of ATCA who have given years of service and excellence in the preservation of historic telephones…  or ATCA members who have helped others by contributing and dedicating time, effort, and resources to the history and identification of early telephones.

Saturday, September 10, 2022
The club has learned that the following club members have recently passed. Gordon Gerdes, #1758, passed away peacefully on January 18th. Dad was 92 and, in so many ways, lived a charmed life. Dad leaves his wife Joan, to whom he was married for nearly 69 years and his two sons: Gregg (Renee), and Brian (Cindy) and his only grandchild, Ryan. Dad will also be missed by many nieces and nephews, who he was very fond of. Gordon was predeceased by his parents William and Mary, his sister Velma Trickey (Joe), and brothers Norman (Ruth), Raymond (Vivian), and Harold (Marjorie).  

Dad worked for Edmonton Telephones for 35 years. He loved his career and the people he got to know through ED TEL. In his retirement, he volunteered extensively at the telephones Historical Information Centre which coincided with his passion for collecting antique telephones. Dad was also passionate about garage sales, if you had one, dad was likely there, if you came to one of his, you likely remember him and bought something! Early in his life dad was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping when not coaching his sons in hockey or baseball.  

Our family want to thank the wonderful staff at MacTaggart Place Retirement Residence and St. Joseph’s Hospice, as well as Dr. Samycia, his family doctor. 

Following Dad’s wishes he will be cremated and there will not be a service. 

Bill Lynch #1738, age 68 of Eagan, MN, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, February 25, 2021, of stage four cancer. He was born August 8, 1952 in Des Moines, lA; grew up in Maxwell, lA; and lived his adult years in the Twin Cities area of MN.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri of Eagan, MN; his children, Autumn (Kaleb) Schulze of Fishers, IN; Aaron (Jessica) Lynch of North St. Paul, MN; and Adam (Robyn Konicek) Lynch of Stewartville, MN; and his grandchildren, Elena Schulze, Victoria Lynch, and Aksel Lynch; and his sister, Cathy Lynch of Roseville, MN. Bill’s parents, Sanford and Margret Lynch and his brother, Robert Lynch preceded him in death.

Bill worked as a computer systems analyst until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed spending time with his family, collecting antique telephones, and model rocketry. 

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Updated the About Page with new ATCA officers and directors. Added/updated Recent Telephone Shows tab with photos of the 2022 Shipshewana show.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Added a page to the Recent Telephone Show tab for the 51st Annual ATCA show in Shipshewana, Indiana.

Saturday, July 2, 2022

We are currently having difficulty with the elections tabs. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please check back to vote after the holiday.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

The ATCA Board of Directors extended an honorary designation to the late George Amores #4857 as President of ATCA for 2022-2023. The backboard was handcrafted by John Dresser #406 and will be presented to George’s family in July by Ron Christianson #822. George was an upcoming star in our club and made many friends in the club, on Facebook and at the 50th Anniversary show in 2021. Sadly, George passed away earlier this year.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Added Stromberg Carlson Telephones (PDF) 1894-1984, Revision 1, donated by author Joseph N. Uzel. Find it in the member library or click here

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Uploaded photo of ATCA “Smitty Award” for 2022. Tom Adams, #213 of Durham, North Carolina. See the photo at ATCA Awards

Monday, April 25, 2022

Uploaded Western & Northern Type 50 Collector Maintenance, June 1923 manual to the ATCA Library. Contributed by Kingston Telepone.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, St. Louis, Mo. lost a good friend on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Michael (Mike) Brueckmann (ATCA #466) was a Commander in the US Navy, Facilities Engineer, Civil Engineer Corps Officer and retired after serving his country for 29 years. He passed away from complications due to Lewy Body Dementia. He was an ardent collector of telephones for over 60 years, military ordnance artifacts and anything interesting he found in his many journeys around the country. Mike was the founder of the Jefferson Barracks Ordnance Museum, a technical museum showing the evolution of United States ammunition from around 1900 to present day. Oh who are we kidding … it was really Mike’s man cave … and he loved sharing stories with Dave and the many visitors who came to tour the museum. He touched many people’s lives, had numerous life adventures and had an inordinate number of friends from all walks of life. This tribute, however, is focused on what he meant to the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, St. Louis, Mo. Mike shared his vast amount of telephone-related knowledge with us. The amount of historical information he possessed was staggering. In addition to his knowledge and friendship, he also shared some of his telephone collection with us. The museum is a much better place because of Mike and his legacy will live on through the artifacts, stories and memories he gifted us.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Uploaded Charles Williams Jr. Illustrated Telephone Catalog to the member library. Provided by Philip Stasinski, #4820, Ontario, Canada. Corrected the title for the April 2022 newsletter. You can view it here.

Sunday, March 26, 2022

Added Help Request and a Switchboard For Sale on the Photo Forums by two non-members.

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Uploaded ATCA Board meeting packet from the March 13, 2022 meeting. (See under the meetings tab)

Sunday, March 6, 2022

ATCA Tom Adams #213 notified the club today on the passing of former ATCA member Steven Marvin Howell #218 of Morehead City, NC. You can read the obituary here

Found this link on the web to www.oldtelephones.com. Believe it to be Pete D’Acosta’s (Texas) webpage on 50 rarest candlesticks

Monday, February 21, 2022

ATCA Kevin Karcher #2978 notified the club today on the passing of former ATCA member Albert E. Swang #1396 of Yukon, OK. You can read his obituary here.

Monday, February 14, 2022

Hello ATCA Members,
I am making a documentary film about Joe Engressia/Joybubbles, the famous phone phreak. We’re looking for someone to interview who is very knowledgeable about the history of the telephone from approx 1940s through 1980s/90s – the span of Joybubbles’ life. 
We’re filming in Minneapolis/St. Paul in early March, so I’m wondering if there might be someone we can interview on our trip there. Alternately, the crew lives in Los Angeles so it could be someone located here. 

Wondering if you know of folks you could suggest, or if you could make a post to the group. If the latter, I can write something up.
My Very Best,
Rachael Morrison

email: rachael.morrison@gmail.com

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Added a post in FOR SALE/TRADE ad for Bruce Bianchi antique telephone collection. Click here to see post.

Friday, January 21, 2022

Added show info on Telephone Collector’s International Regional Shows in Southern and Northern California on the EVENTS tab

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Added show info on Jim Engle’s California, KY Golf Course Show and the ATCA National Show on the EVENTS tab

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Added Ohio Bell Installation And Repair Pocket Service Guide March 1979 to member library, submitted by Claus Bachmann #4866, of Germany

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Added Harold Warp Pioneer Village Museum to the Resources Tab

Click here to see photos of the ATCA New England Regional Antique Telephone Show in Enfield, CT on Friday, October 8, 2021

Saturday, October 2, 2021

click here to read obituary of former ATCA member Paul R. Wiltfong who passed away 9/29/2021

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Uploaded PDF for WIRING BELL BLAKE TRANSMITTERS ON BELL 3-BOX SETS to the ATCA Library. Contributed by Walt Aydelotte, Victor New York.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Uploaded the August newsletter to the Newsletter tab

Monday, August 9, 2021

Added August 7, 2021 meeting agenda/minutes. Added show photos to the Recent Telephone Shows page from National Show in Shipshewana

Friday, August 6, 2021

Updated President’s Message with Tom Herwer’s name. Updated Board of Directors with Wally Tubbs and Jason Burwell.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Opened the show registration page for the New England Antique Telephone Show after some difficulties! Click on the EVENTS tab to view and register.

Friday, July 23, 2021
Read the obituary of Thomas Core #4784 of Walton, New York. Click here

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Read the obituary for Norman Mulvey, #379 of Canton, Georgia. Click here

Added an advertisement from a Non-Member selling his telephones in Sandy, Oregon. Click here

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Added a telephone collection for sale by non-member in San Rafael, California in the Photo Forums/For Sale or Trade

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Added Western Electric 2554-BM Schematic Master_200 to the Member Library. Contributed by Jeff Lamb #4466

Closed table registrations as SOLD OUT for 50th Anniversary Show. Please contact John Huckeby for availability.

Monday, June 28, 2021

Click HERE to view the FY 2020 audit report of the Antique Telephone Collector’s Association.

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Added Telephones & Parts advertisement to the Photo Forums/For Sale or Trade (by non-club member)

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Added show info in the events tab for TCI Southern California Telephone Show (July 17, 2021) and TCI 20th Annual Northern California Telephone Show (November 6, 2021)

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Added photos to a non-member add in Houston, Texas Topic: Phone Booth, Pay Phone, Signs for sale in Houston, Texas area | Antique Telephone Collectors Association (atcaonline.com)

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Added show information for the ATCA New England Regional Telephone Show, Enfield, Connecticut on October 9, 2021. More details to follow in the EVENTS tab soon.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Added seven schematics to the Member Library contributed by Jeff Lamb #4466, Kingston, Ontario Canada

Added documentation of the WE 20T Candlestick with WE 318A Ringer (Buzzer) Box on the Resources tab. Contributed by Rick Saint #1014, Cypress, Texas

Monday, May 17, 2021

Added an ad for a phone booth, payphone, various signs for sale by non-member from the Houston, Texas area. Find it in the Photo Forums under For Sale or Trade. Good Luck!

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Uploaded the board member packet with meeting agenda, financial report and membership report to the Meetings tab.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Uploaded the May Newsletter. Click on the Newsletters tab to read.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Updated the 50th Anniversary Show page with banner. EVENTS TAB. Updated home page with show picture.

Tuesday, May 7, 2021

Added show photos, captions and member reviews to the Recent Telephone Shows tab, California, KY Regional Show. Added show photos to the 50 Years of ATCA History page of the California, KY show.

Saturday, May 1, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of ATCA #637 George Valenzuela of Newport, Oregon. Obituary to follow in coming days.

Monday, April 19, 2021

Published video of the Duncan Covington #815 collection in Bryan, Texas

Sunday, April 11, 2021
Added the board meeting agenda and minutes under the meetings tab

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Added obituary of Kenneth J. Sims, ATCA #2382, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away May 22, 2020 https://www.ferncreekfuneralhome.com/obituary/kenneth-sims-dvm

Friday, April 2, 2021

Added Pay Shield Instruction Card JPEG for printing in the Member Library under Coin Collectors. Submitted by Scotty Poling #51

Friday, March 26, 2021

Added photos of Dave Martin and Robert Breish to the 1979 Philadelphia Fall ATCA Show. Submitted by Robert Breish #385, NJ

Added photos of John LaRose receiving the 2020 Clarence A “Smitty” Smith award. Presented by Fred Mecke of Vermont

Sunday, March 21, 2021
Changed date for ATCA officer and board nominations from April 1 to May 1 at suggestion of nominations committee.

Monday, March 15, 2021

Added the March newsletter to the “Newsletters” tab

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Added the Board Meeting Packet to the “Meetings” tab

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Added a catalog to the Member Library “Billard’s Old Telephones and Parts catalog” 1978 192 MB