Forum friends, Why not simply ask folks at the Mark Twain House, where the problematic phone can still be seen, and I believe along with a terse note written by Sam commenting on the fickle nature of the beast? (860) 247-0998. The very first public phone service in the nation began in New Haven, not Hartford, but since Sam was very concerned about being up-to-date especially in the socially competitive atmosphere of Nook Farm, just to HAVE such a device, whether or not it was any practical use, is, I suspect, what really counted in the end. Hope this helps! Kathy O'Connell