Coin Slot Magazine - #052 - 1979 - June [International Arcade Museum]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sueellen Ross, Publicity
PENNY MACHINES NOW
Ext. 115
BRING BIG DOLLARS'
Interview with Ken Rubin
Author of DROP COIN HERE:
The Book of Antique Coin-Operated
Gambling, Vending, and Arcade Machines
&
Why are antique coin-operated machines be-
Qo
What are some of your favorite machin
coming one of the most valuable and sought
after new collectibles in the United States
a.
I particularly enjoy the animated and figural
and Europe?
vending machines that dispense goods such
More people are discovering the exciting qual
the delicate glass machines that display their
as gum, chocolate and cigars.
A.
ities that these
antique
machines possess.
Also, I. like
mechanisms and entertain while dispensing
First, they are entertaining, with their ingen
the goods.
ious methods of receiving a coin and then
venders
performing animated and mechanical move
Button Dispenser (1905) worth $1,500 (the
ments in whimsical and charming ways.
Se
Some of the most collectible
are--if
insertion of a
you
nickel
can find
them-Collar
releases a single gold
cond, their designs are full of the spirit, the
collar
artistry, and the culture of the late 19th and
the sale while columns rotate inside the glass
early 20th century.
walls to style selection); Bull's Head Perfume
Old coin-operated ma
button and rings a bell to announce
chines are a unique American art form that
(1904) worth $1,500 (taking the bull by the
is finally being recognized.
horns causes him to snort perfume from his
nostrils); Cop and Hobo (1930) worth $500
Q.
What are the categories of antique coin-op
(Officer Casey gleefully bops the hobo with
erated machines?
his nightstick as the hobo's eyes and tongue
flap in astonishment).
1.
Gambling Machines 2. Vending Machines
3.
Penny Arcade Machines
Q.
this hobby?
Q.
!s one type more valuable than another?
A.
Some of the highest prices paid for machines
A.
are in the gambling category, such as the
floor model roulette and pin-wheel type slot
machines.
$35,000.
Where does one turn to learn more about
Some have sold for as high as
An auction was held in Anaheim,
There are several monthly magazines for col
lectors.
One is called, appropriately, Loose
Change, the other publication is titled The
Coin Slot.
Some collectors personally own
original manufacturer's catalogs, but these are
nearly as valuable and rare as the machines.
California, November 25, 1978, and one an
tique double upright slot machine (1905)
My book DROP COIN HERE, published by
sold for $25,000, and a single model slot
Crown, is the first complete book of antique
machine (1905)
coin-operated gambling, vending, and arcade
went for $6,000.
Some
three-reel slot machines (1930) sold for
$1,200.
The 6th Annual Victorian Casino
color, document the most important and in
Antiques Auction, in Las Vegas, on March 2,
teresting examples of this art form.
1979, saw new prices established for all the
COIN HERE is not available at local book
.com
m
:
u
m
e
us Tester,
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d fro Strength
categories.
An e
Apollo
-
e
d
d
(1906) sold n for
movie
loa $6,500,
arc a a Mutoscope
.
w
o
w
machine
went
for
$1,900,
a Honey-Breath
D
w
w
Mint Vender,
tp:// (1904) sold for $3,400 and
t
h
an off-beat Victorian Ice Cream Parlor Bar
machines.
Over 300 photographs, many in
If DROP
stores, it can be ordered directly from Crown
Publishers.
Since the prices on these ma
chines are continually skyrocketing, I could
not
print
but I
their
exact values in
my book,
have a separate price guide available
and Fountain was auctioned off for $27,500.
for $4.50 by writing to:
Penny machines now bring big dollars.
P.O. Box 240, Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. 11202
© The International Arcade Museum
Kenru Publishing,
http://www.arcade-museum.com/