If you think mobile phones are too small and fiddly, why not replace yours with a 750 kilo British telephone box? For the first time in 25 years, British Telecom is selling a limited number of the classic red K6 design for just £1,950.
General manager for BT Payphones Katherine Ainley said in a statement that the sale is an opportunity to own a “twentieth century design icon that’s famous around the world for your home or garden or you could buy one as a gift for the person who has everything.”
The K6 first launched in 1936 to mark King George V’s Silver Jubilee, and production continued until 1968. In total 70,000 were installed across Britain. The box was designed by architect Sir Giles Scott, who also designed Battersea Power Station and what is now the Tate Modern.
BT spokesman Yusuf King told Metro the company is “busy taking calls” and expects the 60 available boxes to sell quickly. But if fans are unable to buy one this time, “more will become available in a later sale.”
Auction house Christie’s expects the design to benefit from the patriotic mood surrounding the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. “This year we are likely to see demand for things related to Britain, and especially London,” a spokesman said.
BT has been forced to adapt to the mobile era, and just 11,000 K6 booths are now in use in the UK. Since 2008, BT has run an ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme that allows villages to buy one for just £1. These have been creatively converted into libraries, pubs and even emergency hospitals.
Private companies have also been selling them as novelty items that can fetch over £3,000. Celebrity owners include Tom Jones and Nicholas Cage.
For more information visit http://www.x2connect.com/shop/BT__Red_Phone_Boxes_.php
