The Beauty Contest machine was one that I have never come across before; this very
rare machine was made in the 1950s by Peerless Enterprises. On depositing your
penny in the slot, a series of scantily clad contestants parade in front of the judges, but
watch out for contestant No. 3, I don' t think she was quite ready for the contest!!
Another machine that I thought to be unusual was the Pharaohs Tomb (spelt
Pharos on the machine). It had all the usual moving parts of a typical working model,
but before you put in your penny, you are asked to select a question for the Pharaoh to
answer. When the machine finally stops, it delivers you a card with a 'personal'
prediction printed on it.
The Haunted Grange is a very rare machine, thought to be the only one in
existence, and made around 1905 in Blackpool by Nelson Lee. It would have worked
from a clockwork motor when first made, but was converted to electric operation at
some point in it~ history. If you like the Haunted theme there are also two versions of
the haunted churchyard working model that were ready to take your penny. The first
was made by Fred Bolland around 1952, and the second machine is by Kraft
Automatics and is a little later in date, around 1954.
From left: a row of Bolland working models and Ahrens Our Fire Fighters. Ahrens
English Execution (centre background). Twins and Pussy Shooter (right foreground) .
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