C.O.C.A. Times

graph Company of Plymouth, Wis., it could make mu-
sic at your home for $4,000.
It was a double-duty weekend for Dale Robinson,
a member of the Robinson family which operates the
monthly Kane County Antique & Flea Market, also in
St. Charles. Robinson said he "snuck away from du-
ties at the flea market" to shop and show at Pheasant
Run. What he called "tough to find" advertising items
at his booth included an early 1900s 3- by 12-foot tin
John Deere Farm Implements sign priced $20,000 and
a 1920s Indian Oil Company one gallon can for $5,000.
Folks with a smaller budget looked over his 34- by 56-
inch tin White Rock Soda pop sign priced at $450.
"It's been an excellent show, one of the best," Said
Walter Scott of Baraboo, Wis. Catching toy collectors'
attention was a complete 1910 Mr. Roosevelt in Africa
game capturing events of President Theodore Roosevelt
in board game form and priced at $2,000. Hunting ad-
vertising collectors scoped out a four-piece cardboard
advertising sign set from Laflin and Rand Powder Com-
pany showing a young boy hunting in seasonal settings.
The 8- by 13-inch cardboard, circa 1902, sign set could
be taken home for $2,500.
Bill Bryk of Cowetda, Okla., returned to the Chica-
go land show after "taking time off since 'O l to raise
my daughter, who is now 19." He was showing off vin-
tage advertising, including an early teens 3- by 14-inch
embossed tin headache medicine sign for $1,150 and a
1957 lemon lime soda pop sign, with bottle and circa
1957, for $475.
"It's been a good show, but it's not like the old days"
said Jim Pursell, who has set up at the show with wife
Jan "for at least 20 years." Coin operated gumball and
peanut machines they displayed included an "excellent
original" 1930s Blue Bird gumball machine for $525
and a Magnavender peanut machine for $495. Sew-
ing and advertising collectors gawked at a 3-foot-long
pair of advertising Keen Kutter Scissors found in an
old Indiana upholstery shop and offered at the show for
$895.
Kids of all ages stopped to admire, and sometimes ride
on, a series of life-size coin operated horse rides com-
monly seen at grocery and department stores. However,
these horses were completely restored, including new
American-made leather saddles, shown by Rick Dynek of
Milwaukee. Two of the favorites were a "Sandy" l 0-cent
ride, priced at $2,995, and a "Ride the Champion" priced
$3,495. The dealer said he offers horses along with a me-
nagerie of others animals including pigs, elephants, tigers
and even reindeer among over 60 rides at his shop.
Many people came to shop at the Chicagoland show
for "memories from the past." Such was the case with
Jim Stevens of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who purchased a mint
vendor front gambling slot machine "just like the one
Dad had in back of his old country store." The 1930s
Watling slot machine, completely restored, was going
to be installed in "a special spot at home" according to
Stevens to remember the days of his youth. The pur-
chase price was $2,100.
"I remember putting a penny in that machine as a
kid" said one browser, pointing to a 15-inch-tall Ad-
vance Model-D gumball machine. The classic red ven-
dor was tagged $185 by Carol Estes, Antique Junction,
LaPorte, Ind.
Still another shopper, Michael Murro of Longwood,
Fla., was on the lookout for shoe shine and barber shop
collectables reminding him of his youthful days of
"shining shoes in Georgia." Murro said he was "ex-
tremely happy" with the finds at the show, adding, "I'm
always looking for more."
For many, nostalgia days revolve around the old coin
operated Coke Machines popular at soda fountains and
gas stations. Jim and Diana Rud of Soda Springs Vin-
tage Soda Machines, Sandwich, Ill., supplied a group
of those fully restored old favorites at Chicago land, in-
cluding 1950s models of the Vendo 44, $5,000, Vendo
81 D, $5,900 and the Vendo 56, $5,800. Rud said he
and his wife Diana "are the complete staff of the busi-
ness," which is just a bit over a year old. He estimated
it took between 40 and 100 hours of labor to restore
each vintage soda pop machine.
Some folks say one of the most oddball items at the
show was shown by Chuck Wolf of Kenmore, Wash.
The object of desire was a 18-inch-tall, 6-inch deep
salesman's sample showing the vault safe door lock
mechanism from the National Safe and Lock Company,
Cleveland, Ohio. Encased in a leather felt-lined carry
box, the 40-pound nickel, copper and polished alumi-
num piece was finely machined to show the craftsman-
ship of the company, and the case opened to show both
front and rear views. Wolf said the most common phrase
heard when the case was opened was "Ooh, wow!" He
added estimated value was "around $10,000."
The Chicagoland fall show will be held November
13th, 14th & 15th at Pheasant Resort in St. Charles.
Dealers can get information from co-promoter Bob
Traynoff at 1-847-244-9263. Show information is also
available from co-promoter Kevin Greco at 1-815-353-
1593 and at www.chicagolandshow.com.
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