C.O.C.A. Times

going to be good when he stopped and asked if I
would consider being bought out. I declined. The
music box was definitely for that machine original-
ly, and that machine could be made to work from
other Three Jack parts. All is good in Westlake.
The Call to Ottawa, Ohio
The question still remained as to whether this mys-
tery machine had ever been offered on the market
as a musical Three Jack. I searched and searched
my ad bank and could find nothing. I decided to
call my good friend, Tom Gustwiller, our research
champion. A few days later, I received a copy of an
ad offering a musical Three Jack.
A Final Thought
In conclusion, it is amazing what good fortune,
good friends , and knowledge can lead to some-
times. I learned a lot about taking a chance the right
way, and hope other collectors have the good for-
tune I experienced.
Remember, the fun is in the hunt!
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The Antique Hunt ..... Bagging a Hollow Promise?
by Jack Kelly
Like many collectors of old coin-operated devices,
my interests also spread to other types of antiques
including cigar store memorabilia, certain styles of
furniture, etc.
This topic of mixed tastes came up at at Midwest
antique show several years ago and produced one
of the most unusual items in my collection.
I was admiring a finely restored wash stand dis-
played in one dealer's booth and commented on
how pretty the spoon carving was on the Eastlake
design piece.
Oak Eastlake furniture with spoon carving is a per-
sonal favorite of mine.
l
The dealer thanked me for the compliment and as
we talked I explained that I was a serious collector
of coin-op and cigar store items.
He gave me an odd look and stammered, "I think
this may be a lucky day for both you and me."
WC Doubleday
Cigar Vendor
Ever had to pick your jaw up when it hit the floor?
The dealer explained he had purchased the device
from a country auction a few days before the show
and pointed out the brass nameplate perched on the
front of the piece: DROP IN A NICKEL, PULL
THE KNOB AND RECEIVE A "CATCHER"
PURE HAVANA CIGAR. A smaller brass plate
across the top read: Pat. March 1889.
Then came the bad news -- the internal mechanism
was missing.
He was right.
Reaching under the table he dragged out a strange
but interesting looking oak cathedral-shaped device
that was definitely Eastlake, definitely spoon
carved, definitely a cigar store piece --- and defi-
nitely coin operated!
Opening the back door of the vendor revealed only
remnants of a partial mouse next left by the former
furry squatters. and a small portion of an instruction
sheet.
continued ... .