Ericofon Value Guide

The Ericofon is a landmark of mid-century modern design, famously integrating the receiver, transmitter, and dial into a single upright 'snake-like' silhouette. Released in 1954 by Ericsson, its inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection cements its status as a premier 20th-century design icon.

What Is Ericofon Worth?

The typical price range for Ericofon is $135 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Color rarity significantly impacts price, with certain vibrant or pastel shades being more sought after by collectors.
• The condition of the rubber base gasket is critical, as these often perish or harden over time.
• Functionality and wiring type, specifically if the unit has been converted for modern modular phone jacks.
• The presence of original North American market branding versus original Swedish Ericsson markings.

How to Identify Ericofon?

• Look for the distinctive rotary dial or push-button pad located on the underside of the base.
• Verify the Swedish origin and ABS plastic construction which gives the unit its lightweight, seamless feel.
• Check for the original rubber gasket around the base which serves as the 'hook' switch when the phone is set down.
• Confirm the 'Space Age' upright form factor that stands approximately 9 inches tall.

History of Ericofon

Designed in the late 1940s and released in 1954, the Ericofon revolutionized telecommunications by combining the receiver, transmitter, and dial into a single lightweight unit. It was the first commercially successful telephone to place the dial on the bottom of the handset. Its futuristic 'Space Age' aesthetic made it a design icon, eventually earning a place in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.