The only known edition of the world’s first telephone directory - the first phone book - is up for auction, reports Discovery News:

The 20-page directory was issued in November of 1878, just two years after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. The phone book contained information useful to 391 subscribers within the New Haven, Conn., area who were obviously still learning their way around the new communication device. “Should you wish to speak to another subscriber you should commence the conversation by saying, ‘Hulloa!’” it instructs.

No phone numbers were printed in the Connecticut city’s milestone book — just the names of subscribers.

It’s estimated by Christie’s to go for about $30 to $40k. If AT&T doesn’t buy this they are idiots. I mean more than usual.

World’s First Telephone Book Surfaces [dsc.discovery.com]

via boing boing