Collectors seeking rare antique gambling machines hit the jackpot at Morphy's sale

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, March 19, 2024


Collectors seeking rare antique gambling machines hit the jackpot at Morphy's sale
Only known example of a showstopping Caille Bros., ‘Triple Centaur Jackpot’ musical upright slot machine. Accepts nickels/quarters/nickels in its three separately operating sections. Original condition. One owner since the 1970s. Sold at midpoint of estimate for $240,000.



DENVER, PA.- Morphy’s high-stakes Oct. 29-31 auction of antique coin-op machines and early advertising tallied a whopping $5 million, with the only known example of a Caille Triple Centaur Jackpot musical upright slot machine leading the sale’s three-day results at a heady $240,000.

Weeks before the live gallery auction took place, the smart money was already stacked on the table in the form of absentee bids and sign-ups to bid by phone or online through Morphy Live. “This auction included outstanding examples of some of the most elusive coin-operated machines known, many of them coming from the Mel Getlan collection, one of the most authoritative collections of its type,” said Tom Tolworthy, Morphy Auctions’ CEO and curator for the auction. “Collectors were aware that they might never have another opportunity to bid on some of the rarest of gambling, vending, arcade and mechanical music devices, including the Caille Triple Centaur slot machine – the ‘one’ referred to in the description
‘only one known,’ and an extremely rare representation of late 19th-century gambling.”

The Triple Centaur – the most highly prized machine in Mel Getlan’s collection – exhibits an extraordinary design that accepts nickels, quarters, and nickels, respectively, in its three separately operating sections. Because the machine is contained within a single oak housing, it enabled operators to increase their revenues substantially while still paying for only one gambling license. In all-original condition, the Triple Centaur had held pride of place in Getlan’s collection since the 1970s. The auction’s odds-on favorite, it sold within its expected price range for $240,000. All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of 23% buyer’s premium.

Also manufactured by Caille Bros., a 1904 Peerless Roulette 5-cent floor model slot machine in a rich oak cabinet with decorative iron castings gave players a choice of seven coin-slots in which to drop their nickels. The interactive experience included pulling a lever to spin the wheel, then watching the ball bounce and finally land on the payout amount. A fantastic original machine with older restoration, it sold within estimate for $186,000.

The condition displayed by another extremely rare Caille production, a 5-cent “Black Cat” musical upright, was nothing short of remarkable. The stately machine retained its original coin head, all correct castings, the original lithographed-tin wheel, and factory music box. It sold at the midpoint of its estimate for $102,000.




Bidders eagerly stepped up to the plate to try their luck on an all-original 5-cent “Little Rip” baseball-theme payout trade stimulator made by Mills Novelty Co. In its decorative cast-iron case with a placard reading “Get in the Ball Game!” this very special machine boasted incredible condition and played perfectly. Against an estimate of $40,000-$70,000, it knocked it out of the park with a selling price of $132,000.

Other noteworthy lots included a rare circa-1910 Watling 5-cent color-match counter wheel slot machine with side vendor, which settled near the high end of its estimate range at $51,660; and a circa-1900 National Spirometer Co., lung-strength “Love” tester, which rose to $32,400 against expectations of $8,000-$15,000.

Antique advertising was in great demand, especially lithographs and signage that had rarely or never before been seen in the marketplace. One of the most sought-after selections, a historically significant 1870s Procter and Gamble advertising sign, promoted Amber Soap, a brand that pre-dates even its now-classic Ivory Soap. “It is surprising that this remarkable example of early stone lithography is not in the archives of Procter & Gamble,” Tolworthy observed. In excellent 8.0-8.5 condition, it nearly tripled its high estimate, cleaning up at $28,800.

An even earlier artwork, a pre-1870 lithograph advertising J. Esty & Company Cottage Organs of Brattleboro, Vermont, featured colorful and highly detailed images of factories and organ models. “At its peak, J Estey and Co was one of the world’s largest organ manufacturers and employed approximately 700 people,” Tolworthy noted. The lithograph found favor with collectors and sold for $12,300 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,500.

Soda pop and soda fountain advertising proved the category has not lost any of its fizz, knocking down strong prices on such items as a gorgeous, all-original Art Nouveau-style Pepsi-Cola syrup dispenser. It pumped up the bidding to a very sweet $39,975 against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000-$25,000. A 1935 triangular, double-sided porcelain Coca-Cola hanging sign marked for Tennessee Enamel Manufacturing Co., Nashville, also stopped soda pop collectors in their tracks. An unusual form with wonderful graphics, it even retained its distinctive original wall bracket. The sign attracted 18 bids before changing hands for an above-estimate price of $21,600.

“Our very first three-day coin-op and advertising auction drew a record in-person crowd, and record prices,” Tolworthy said. “With the absence of shows and conventions during this time of social distancing, customers are motivated to add to their collections, and the fresh-to-market collections in our auction certainly filled that need.”










Today's News

November 17, 2020

Rehs Contemporary opens an exhibition of small works, perfect for decking the halls

A Chagall curtain needs a new home with a tall ceiling

Piano Nobile opens an exhibition devoted to Ben Nicholson's reliefs and drawings dating from 1955-1979

Ancient statue of Hermes dug up in Athens

Newton's daunting masterpiece had a surprisingly wide audience, historians find

Marie-Antoinette's silk slipper fetches $50,000

Academy Museum gives Debbie Reynolds her due as a costume conservator

Platypuses glow under blacklight. We have no idea why.

Exhibition features works that encourage this spirit of reflectiveness

For a leading light of Indian fashion, all that glitters is not gold

Phillips announces online selling exhibition of works by Dindga McCannon

Christie's announces Magnificent Jewels, New York

Exhibition addresses the work of Piet Mondrian in the context of De Stijl

Folk art and historical material lead the way at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates auction

Tributes pour in for India acting legend Soumitra Chatterjee

Holy smoke: Waterpipes keep bubbling in Iraqi shrine city

Sory Bamba: Malian music's forgotten great

The Armory Show announces curatorial team for the fair's September 2021 edition at the Javits Center

How do tourist shops survive with no tourists?

Catch the vibe: Club culture comes to life at Lincoln Center

After a writing break, she returned as a Booker finalist

Collectors seeking rare antique gambling machines hit the jackpot at Morphy's sale

Holabird Western Americana Collections announces results of the 5-day "Spooktacular Sale"

Rare Edwardian artwork by Austin Osman Spare discovered on back of watercolour

How CoronaVirus Will Affect Christmas

CCShop - What Are The Advantages Associated With Buying The CVV?

A close investigation of the impact of organisational policies on employee performance

Why An Old Florida Map Would Make A Great Gift

Artistic Kitchen Cabinet Details That Match Every Kitchen!

CasinoRex - The Best New European Casino

Security code: another method to validate the payment:

Things You Should Know About California Business Lawyer

After Black Pink's Promotion of Hanboks, Joteta Paves the Way for Baby Hanboks

Think Twice Before Buying AnHealth Insurance Plans Online




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

sa gaming free credit
Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful