Besides being a rare game from turn of the century England, this particular game was
unusual for three distinctive items. First, it retained the way-cool Egyptian cast iron
sphinx on top. Second, it had the original interior instruction card, enumerating the areas
of British patent application to include ''the Australian colonies, Etc." Finally, it had 45
original aforementioned cards that could be exchanged ' at the counter for a 2d cigar.'
(For my American colleagues, 2d means two pennies). To find paper ephemera a
century later, and in such good condition and quantity, is truly rare.
Once again, KFC had smiled upon me. The rest was up to me; I had to win the
auction. It should come as no surprise that I did just that! My success was assisted by
the poor word description of the game. My competition ended up consisting of other
Yanks, none of whom knew what this piece really was. I won't disclose the final price
for it will only make you jealous, but in the world of Fair Market Value, it was more gift
than purchase.
~TEST YOUR_ SKILL. JJ+
PLACE PENNY IN SLOT, PULL DOWN TRlGGER
SUFFICIENT TO SHOOT IT JNTO PEStREP BARREL
PENNIES SHOT INTO NOS. 10, 20 and 30 f'ALL
INTO POSITION TO BE AGAlN FIRED.
WHEN PENNY IS FJRE0 INTO BARR~L NO. 50,
PULL OUT DRAWER, ANO PRESENT CHEQUE AT
• ..,. COUNTER.
HU _ _ ......... , - . . ..... ,
.
,. I .
-
..._....._.,.; .,..~ ............ ,.,. H11.vooN • """"· LTo..
•
m ~ • a_ •,
The cast iron Sphinx mounted at the top front of the case,
and the original instructions card, in remarkably good condition.
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