C.O.C.A. Times

ing to this show. They were glad we
stopped by their booth. In their
booth we found a 1916 Millard
Breath Pellet Machine in very
rough condition (see photo). the
machine had a lot of cracks in the
body and lid, but had a nice globe
and decal. It was rare, and the price
was right, so I picked it up. I
brought it home and repaired and '---'-==__..._,.-...,
cleaned it up.
Millard Breath Pellet
In Round Top, we found the machine I want but
can't seem to buy at the right price - a Stuart and
McGuire machine. It was painted bright orange and
black and was sitting up high on display in a booth.
It was painted so bright I could see it from far away
- and when I spotted it I got excited and ran over
there only to be disappointed at the price - $795.00.
Then we found a beautiful H&W Machine on a
stand. I had never seen such a clean machine. My
wife wanted me to buy it - it was only $90.00. But
I didn't because I didn't think we could get back
because of the heavy cast iron stand. We also saw
some Trade Stimulators, Duck Shoot and a 1930's
Masters Machine there.
It was Thursday noon and time to drive back to Ft.
Worth. This time, the 3-1/2 hour drive back took us
7 hours with all the stops. Our first stop was the
antique shops in Carmine, just 15 miles from Round
Top. The town was really small, but had several
antique shops. I pulled up to the first shop on the
street. I was so tired from walking all morning, I
told my wife and son to check out the shops while I
sat in the car. I figured there wouldn't be anything
interesting. My wife and son
went into the first shop, and
then the second. My son came
running out to the car and said
to come in and look at an old
machine. So, I went in and it
was an Old Ball Gum Trade
Stimulator with cigarette reels,
keyed, in good shape and work-
ing. There wasn' t a price on it
1 ¢ Ball Gum
so I asked the store owner how
much he wanted. We negotiated Trade Srimulator
and landed on $325.00, and I bought it. My wife
and son continued on to the next shop. I hadn 't even
finished my purchase when my son came running
back yelling "I found a Climax - really cheap !". I
quickly left and ran to the next shop. My son was
teasing me. He does this often, to the point where I
don't always believe him. While there wasn't a
Climax, my wife had found an old
Exhibit Supply Card Vendor that
sold "32 poses of your favorite
cowboy - Tom Mix", for 1 penny.
The machine was in good original
condition (see photo). I negotiated
with the store owner and pur-
chased it for $225.00.
Exhibit Supply
Card Vendor
My funds were getting low as we forged on t0 Ft.
Worth. I also worried about how we would be able
to. get all our finds back safely. Luckily my wife had
brought extra packing materials, bags and boxes for
our plane ride home. Friday, in Ft. Worth, was our
last day of vacation, and guess what we decided to
do? Antique of course. We went to several antique
shops, including one small shop on Bowie Street
that specialized in old clocks. There we found an
old Penny Pack Trade Stimulator, complete and
working, priced at $25 .00. Really!! I looked sever-
al times at the price tag, wondering if it was
$2500.00 or really just $25.00. The owner told me
his young son had found it at a garage sale for
$10.00. We purchase it quickly (see photo).
We then briefly toured the Ft. Worth Stockyards
before it was time to head to the airport. On the way
to the airport, we had to make one last stop -- the
Krispy Kreme bakery. We don't have them here in
the North - but I had heard about them. What's real-
ly neat is you can watch them make them and get
them really fresh. It was our very first time and they
were very good. Then, it was on to the airport for
our trip home.
Overall, we found that Texas has a lot of coin-op
machines. We found many Coke Machines, Scales,
Vending Machines, Brass Cash Registers, Old
Advertising, Trade Stimulators - but very few
Pinball Machines, Slot Machines and Arcade
Machines. Like anywhere else, most dealers are
antique wise and there are few bargains to be found.
Whether you are at a flea market or antique shop,
it's important to negotiate to get the best price, and
to talk to as many people as you can because that is
often how you fi nd leads for other buys. It was a
great trip, offering lots of antiquing as well as lots
of interesting sites.
So, where will be next? Look for us at gold Rush
Days in Minnesota in August -- see you there!
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