Vintage Wooden Telephone Money Box – “Don’t Forget Who Pays the Bill” c.1950s

Vintage Wooden Telephone Money Box – “Don’t Forget Who Pays the Bill” – c.1950s–60s

A wonderfully nostalgic little piece of British social history, this vintage wooden telephone money box dates from around the 1950s–1960s, when having a telephone in the home was still something of a luxury and every call came at a cost.

Designed to sit beside the household telephone, the box allowed family members, visitors or perhaps even neighbours to contribute towards the cost of their calls. The front carries the wonderfully direct reminder:

“Phone from here whenever you will,

But don’t forget who pays the bill.”

Made from stained wood or plywood with a faux-grained front panel, the box has a coin slot to the top and its original pale circular removable stopper to the rear for retrieving the money. The slightly architectural shape, with projecting top and base, gives it plenty of character.

These telephone money boxes are a lovely reminder of an era before mobile phones, inclusive call packages and instant communication, when a long-distance telephone call was something you thought twice about before making.

Date: Circa 1950s–1960s

Material: Wood / plywood with plastic stopper

Size: Approximately 12cm high x 11cm wide x 7cm deep at the widest points

Maker: Unmarked

Condition:

Good vintage condition with age-related wear throughout, including surface marks, scratches, rubbing and fading to the finish and lettering. The original rear stopper is present. These signs of age are part of its charm and history, so please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

A quirky and increasingly nostalgic piece for a telephone collector, social-history collection, vintage office display or anyone who remembers the days when using somebody else's telephone often came with a gentle reminder to pay your share.

Why we love it:

It is such a simple little object, but it tells a whole story about everyday life. The wording still raises a smile, while the worn finish gives it exactly the sort of authentic character we like to find in a vintage piece.

Please note that all descriptions are given to the best of our knowledge and research. As with all vintage items, minor signs of age and use should be expected.