Tickets and Checks (Post-1830), Douglas, National Telephone Co Ltd, uniface brass Subscribers’ ticket, c. 1900, legend, back stamped 150, edge plain, 31mm, 7.96g (Quarmby 113; Mackay 166; cf. Cain 2801; cf. Guard 552). Very fine and extremely rare, very few specimens known £150-200

The first telephone company was formed on Man by George Gilmore in 1889, operating from 53 Athol street. The business was purchased by the National Telephone Co Ltd in 1892 and Gilmore was retained as manager. The telephone exchange moved to larger premises at 10 Athol street, relocating across the road to 11 Athol street in April 1899, adjacent to the Isle of Man Times building. In January 1912 all the telephone systems of the British Isles (except for Hull and Guernsey) were nationalised and placed under control of the Post Office. Gilmore was also a pioneer motorist, acquiring the island’s first private car in 1899, and was one of three founders of the now-defunct Manx Automobile Club in 1905 (Alan Kelly, pers. comm.)