  In 1983, Federal Judge Harold H. Greene and the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered a break-up of the Bell System which was ruled a monopoly. Effective January 1, 1984, divestiture of the Bell System took place. Seven (7) Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC's) also known as Baby Bells are embossed on the sides along with cracked lines separating ATT and include the following: NYNEX (New York/New England/eXchange) BSC (Bell South Corporation) BAC (Bell Atlantic Company) AIT (Ameritech) SWB (Southwestern Bell) USW (US West) PTC (Pacific Telephone Company) The entire bottom edge of the bell is embossed with: "THE END OF AN ERA", " THE BREAKUP OF THE BELL SYSTEM", "DEC. 31, 1983" Paperweight measures 3 5/16" across the bottom of the base and 3 1/8" height. NOTE: This Commemorative Bell was manufactured by Fenton Glass in early 1984 after divestiture was completed as an employee momento and is stamped 1984 on the inside center of the Bell. These are original paperweights and are 36+ years old. The Blue and Rootbeer colors had a very limited production compared with the Green color which had the largest number of Bells produced. |
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