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Check here for the 2024 Telephone Shows

Donations of funds and documents are welcome!

Here are several options to support TCI and the TCI Library.

>> Donate funds:

On-line: Click this button to send a one-time (US tax deductible*) donation to TCI
using your credit card or Paypal account: 

By Mail: Donations may be mailed to: Telephone Collectors International, 3805 Spurr Circle, Brea, CA 92823. 

   (Preferred, especially for large donations, to minimize processing fees and maximize the benefit to TCI.)

>> Donate files or documents: Click here to Contribute Files.


>> Join TCI: Your continued membership in TCI is the best way to show your ongoing support. Click here to join or renew online.

For many members, Singing Wires, the monthly journal of Telephone Collectors International, is the primary reason they joined us. Click here to find out why!

Click here to enjoy some sample issues of Singing Wires, our highly acclaimed journal.


>> Volunteer: Join a TCI committee. We have more ideas than volunteer hours to make them happen. We are currently recruiting members for the following committees:

  • TCI Library (document maintenance, database, ease-of-use)
  • Singing Wires Editorial Board
  • Authors for Singing Wires and Switchers' Quarterly articles
  • Shows and Events
  • On-line Services (web site, database)

If you have ideas for new programs, please suggest them -- and volunteer to help make them happen! To start a dialog, use the Contact Us link in the black Menu Bar (above).


>> Donate Telephone Sets/Equipment/Memorabilia

If you have a some items or even an entire collection that needs a new home, TCI may be able to help.  From fixer-uppers to artifacts in fine condition, we hate to see things go to the dump if someone could rehabilitate or make use of them.  If you send us a description (and preferably, pictures) of the items that you have, we may be able to assist you in finding a museum or private collector to donate the items to.  Please click here to contact us about donations.

 

Thanks for your support!

 

* Telephone Collectors International was incorporated under the laws of the state of Kansas on May 13, 1986. The goal of the organization is "to educate the public, as well as the members of the Corporation, regarding the history of telephony, the value of old telephones and related items, their collectability and preservation; to research telephone history and publish and provide literature thereon; to promote the public exhibition of old telephones and related items; and to promote common courtesies and guidelines for use by the public."

Telephone Collectors International is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization, to which U.S. tax deductible contributions can be made.

New User?

Read the articles under "Introduction" in the black menu bar above.

Recent Contributors

Thanks for new documents from Ed Palazzo, Bruce Patterson, Jon Kolger, Paul Ivester, Len Hicken, Paul Fassbender, Fred Haynes, Kurt Rudolph, Wade ("Kellogg KITT"), the Connections Museum, Rick Walsh, Jeff Lamb, Jeremy Walters, Mark Cuccia, Alan David, Harry Joseph, Charlie Terry, Karl Brose, Dennis Hock, Tim Griffin, Remco Enthoven, and Steve Cichorsky.

Please send a file to add your name to this list!

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Hints for using the TCI Library

"Menu Bar" for site navigation.
Many menu choices are hidden until you mouse over words in the black Menu Bar (above).  If you want help getting started, see the links under the word "Introduction" in the Menu Bar.
 
The user interface is oriented toward the user’s choice to either Browse or Search for information.  The Browse the Library menu entry offers many quick links to move around the Library quickly.  Try it!

Three search options.
The Library’s keyword-based searches, called Basic Search and Advanced Search, accept keywords as short as 2 characters (WE, AE, etc.) and search strings up to 255 characters.  If you get more than 1,000 items, refine your search or try the Google Search option.
 
When selected from the Menu Bar, Google only searches for files in the TCI Library.
 
Library INBOX.
The INBOX may hold some files that have been submitted but not fully processed into the Library.  These are often topics of current discussion on the TCI Email Group. Items in the INBOX are not found using Basic or advanced searches, but ARE found by a Google Search.
 
Remember to check the INBOX if you don't find something with the other searches.
 
Finding BSPs.
Many BSPs are currently only identified by BSP number. If a text search doesn’t produce a BSP, try looking in one of the many BSP index documents to find a BSP number for the product you are researching just as you would do if referencing a paper library of the BSPs. Then enter the BSP number in the search box.
 
Finding CDs and SDs.
Some related CDs and SDs are filed in different areas. Try searching for just the numeric portion of the name.  Remember to check the INBOX if you don't find something with the Basic or Advanced searches -- or use the Google search.
 
Compact Category Listing.
When browsing, to change the category listing view from normal to compact, click on Browse the Library in the black menu bar.
 
To change from compact to normal view, click on Document Repository in the drop down under Browse the Library.