Black painted wood with golden decoration, nickel plated metal, brass, Bakelite, textile cable
Sweden, around 1900
L. M. Ericsson, established in 1876 in Stockholm
Skeletal apparatus ‘Taxen’ (badger), anniversary model, with replaceable mouthpiece, lightning protection, ebonite plate, double bell, induction coil, wall mounting
Marked with ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson / Sweden Stockholm’ on the mouthpiece
Inscribed with ‘K. Telegrafverkets/Verkstad Stockholm’ on the front
Inscribed with ‘Rikstelefon’ on the wooden rack
Dimensions: circa 31 x 25 x 13 cm
Good condition
The world’s first table telephone with a handset e is a highly sought-after collector's item and still has preserved its beautiful original decor

The Ericsson skeletal apparatus is considered the first table telephone with a handset and was designed in 1892. Until the 1930s, more than two million copies of this model were produced. Because of its shape the phone is called ‘Taxen’ (sausage dog) in Sweden. The skeleton phone stands out by the fact that all the technical parts are clearly visible. The double curved induction magnets and the nickel plated hand crank are further trademarks. The wooden rack is embellished with golden ornaments. The greatest innovation, however, was the listener set in a phone cradle. The application of handsets was up to then only used by switching centers. Thus, the skeleton phone quickly became an international success. For the Russian Tsar Nicholas II., Ericsson designed a special model with elements of gold and ivory.

The phone is marked ‘Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson / Sweden Stockholm’ on the mouthpiece and

inscribed with ‘K. Telegrafverkets/Verkstad Stockholm’ on the front. The wooden rack bears the inscription ‘Rikstelefon’. It is in good condition, showing minor wear. The dimensions are approximately 31 x 25 x 13 cm.

L. M. Ericsson

The company L.M. Ericsson was founded in 1876 by Lars Magnus Ericsson in Stockholm. First it was a small machine workshop, which he operated along with Carl Johan Andersson to produce mathematical and physical instruments. Shortly thereafter, the company began with the production of phones. Beginning in 1883, the first great growth of the company was noted. Ericsson first did not believe that many people could be interested in owning a phone, because he regarded it as a ‘toy’ for the upper class. Therefore, he did not patent any of his apparatus.

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