Before every pocket held a smartphone, the most exciting phone in the house was often a slim little rotary on the nightstand—the Princess. This vintage 1960s teal Princess phone keychain captures that moment in miniature, and it comes to you in true NOS (new old stock) condition. ☎️ Originally given out by Bell System companies as a promotional freebie, these tiny phones were a clever way to show off the new Princess set and keep it in customers’ minds long after they left the phone office.

The full‑size Princess telephone debuted in 1959, designed by Western Electric in collaboration with industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss and his studio. Bell wanted something smaller and more graceful than the heavy desk set—a phone that looked at home in a bedroom, on a vanity, or in a teenager’s room. The result was a low, curved body with the dial centered on the base and a built‑in light so you could see the numbers in the dark. Advertisements proudly declared, “It’s little… it’s lovely… it lights,” a slogan suggested by AT&T employee Robert Karl Lethin that quickly became famous.

To promote this stylish new telephone, Bell companies used miniatures like this one: molded plastic Princess phone keychains in decorator colors. This example appears in a beautiful teal / aqua tone that echoes some of the most loved Princess colorways, especially for mid‑century bathrooms and bedrooms where turquoise and seafoam reigned. The handset curves gently across the base, with a molded rotary dial detail that instantly reads as “phone” even at a glance.

Because this piece is NOS, not a survivor from a hard‑used set of keys, the plastic still has a fresh look and the details remain nicely defined. At about 1 1/2 inches long, it’s big enough to feel substantial in your hand but small enough to hang comfortably on a key ring, zipper pull, or display hook. You can clip it to your everyday keys, keep it with a collection of telephone memorabilia, or tuck it into a shadowbox display with old rate cards and Bell advertising.

It’s also a wonderful conversation starter. Younger folks may not recognize it at all—but for anyone who remembers sharing a family line, waiting for a call, or stretching the curly cord into the hallway for privacy, this tiny phone hits all the right nostalgic notes. It’s tangible proof of a time when getting a Princess phone in your own room felt like a major life upgrade.

📏 Details
Approximate length: 1 1/2"
Color: Teal / aqua 1960s Princess‑style shade
Material: Molded plastic phone with attached metal key chain
Era: Circa 1960s Bell System Princess telephone promotion
Design inspiration: Western Electric Princess model introduced 1959, by Henry Dreyfuss & Associates

🌟 Condition – NOS
New old stock from stored promotional material. The teal plastic presents clean and bright, with crisp molded detail and a well‑preserved overall appearance—ideal for a display‑quality piece or a retro‑styled key ring.

🎁 Great for
Collectors of telephones and Bell System memorabilia
Fans of mid‑century modern design and Henry Dreyfuss products
Anyone who once owned a Princess phone—or wishes they had
Adding a small but authentic 1960s touch to your keys, bag, or décor

This teal Princess phone keychain is a charming little tribute to the days when a glowing dial and a long coiled cord were the height of bedroom tech.