Gray 23A
Published: July 2011
This month’s feature is a Gray #23A. Like all the 23 models it has the upper housing that pivots down when released by unlocking the “crab lock”. The collector is designed to mount on top of a table or counted and attach to a candlestick phone. While the upper housing and vault are similar to other models it has a very unique backboard. This model has the more shallow vault drawer. The cast iron backboard bends down below the collector and also serves as a base for the telephone. This particular one was used by Western Union for telegrams, the function is exactly that same as if it was used on a regular phone line. In this case you would have reached the Western Union operator who would take your telegram order and request deposit of the required fee. She would monitor the coins being dropped into the collector over the telephone line.