Description:

This collectible phone card from Public Technology Inc. (PBI) features a sleek, modern design that highlights a key aspect of technological interaction: a finger poised over a telephone keypad. The image occupies the left side of the card, showcasing a close-up photograph of a hand pressing a button on a device resembling a “princess phone”—a term referring to smaller, compact telephones commonly used in homes and offices. This stylized depiction emphasizes the tactile nature of phone usage, capturing a user actively engaging with the keypad—an essential element of telecommunication in the pre-smartphone era. The deep blue gradient background behind the phone and finger contrasts sharply with the predominantly white card, adding a dramatic tone to the visual and drawing attention to the telephone’s buttons.

On the right side, the branding and functional details are presented clearly and cohesively. The top section displays “PUBLIC TECHNOLOGY, INC” in capital letters, accompanied by a bold logo featuring the initials “PTI.” Below the logo, a contact phone number—800 832 6288—is printed, reinforcing the promotional purpose of the card. The most prominent feature is the large “10” in a light gray font, indicating the card’s value of 10 minutes of call time. This contrasts with the smaller, bold black text reading “MINUTES*,” clarifying the card’s usage capacity without overshadowing the striking “10.” The word “SPECIMEN” is subtly stamped, suggesting this card was intended for promotional or demonstration purposes rather than for commercial sale.

At the bottom, the association with AT&T is explicitly highlighted. The phrase “AT&T PHONE CARD” is printed in a distinguished serif font, evoking a sense of trust and reliability historically linked to AT&T’s longstanding telecommunications services. Next to this text, the iconic blue globe AT&T logo is prominently displayed, emphasizing the brand’s global reach and prominence in the industry at the time. This inclusion connects the functional utility of the phone card with one of the most recognizable names in telecommunications, making it not only a practical tool but also a collectible item that reflects a significant era in phone card history.

Overall, this phone card serves as a compelling example of telephones depicted on phone cards during a transitional period in public technology. It captures user interaction through the finger-on-keypad imagery and seamlessly combines corporate branding with utility, embodying a notable moment in telecommunications history.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.