DENVER, PA.- Antique European and American music, slot and fortune-telling machines took a well-deserved bow at Morphy’s October 17-19 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction, where 1,913 lots cashed out at a robust $4.2 million. As is always the case at the Pennsylvania company’s popular Coin-Op sales, there were plenty of “sleepers” that quietly simmered below the surface prior to auction day, only to end up eclipsing all expectations once the bidding wars began.


Circa-1912 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model ‘A,’ regarded as the most successful automatic violin and piano-playing machine ever made and one of the most spectacular of all music machines. Complex mechanisms reproduce violin expression, bowing, vibrato, staccato, etc., as well as piano expression, replicating the touch and sensitivity of accomplished pianists. Restored in 1986 and 2014. Provenance: Acquired by present owner from Sanfilippo Place de la Musique (2012); Jasper Sanfilippo (acquired in 1983 from a restaurant in France). Sold for $221,400


The top-10 list was crowned by a superb example of a circa-1912 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model “A,” arguably the most successful automatic violin and piano-playing machine ever made. It is also one of the most spectacularly complicated of all music machines, with mechanisms that reproduce violin expression, bowing, vibrato and staccato, as well as piano expression replicating a very high standard of human touch and sensitivity. Restored in 1986 and again in 2014, it was acquired in 2012 by its present owner from Sanfilippo Place de la Musique in Barrington, Illinois. The business’ owner, Jasper Sanfilippo, obtained the German-made unit in 1983 from a restaurant in France. An undeniable superstar, it sold in the auction’s third session for $221,400.


Circa-1920 Mills Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso with two violins that play simultaneously. Brazilian mahogany cabinet. Unit underwent painstaking 36-month restoration that accounted for every detail. U.S. Government designated the Violano-Virtuoso ‘one of the greatest scientific inventions of the age.’ Height: 69in. Sold within estimate for $49,200


Also ready for primetime, a circa-1920 Mills Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso, comprised of two violins that play elegantly and simultaneously, had undergone a scrupulous 36-month restoration. Housed in a Brazilian mahogany cabinet, the sophisticated entertainer achieved a high distinction in its day when the U S Government named it “one of the greatest scientific inventions of the age.” As fine an example as any collector could ever hope to own, it sold within estimate for $49,200.


Circa-1904 Caille Bros. Roulette 5¢ floor-model slot machine with 7-way roulette wheel payout. Housed in rare Honduran mahogany cabinet with showy copper-flashed and plated iron castings. Fully restored and one of the finest examples Morphy’s antique coin-op experts had ever seen. Held in a private collection since the 1990s. Sold for $135,300


An enticing selection of 145 rare slot machines was led by a circa-1904 Caille Bros (Detroit) Roulette 5¢ floor-model slot with a 7-way roulette wheel payout. Resplendent in its rare Honduran mahogany cabinet with ornate copper-flashed and plated iron castings, this desirable machine was fully restored and described by Morphy’s antique coin-op experts as one of the finest examples they had ever seen. Since the 1990s, it had been part of a private collection. On auction day, it changed hands for $135,300.


Circa-1903 Caille Bros. (Detroit) 50¢ Centaur upright slot machine. Beautifully restored with no detail overlooked. Replacement marquee and back door. New wheel. Stunning example of a hard-to-find slot. Sold above estimate for $30,750


Another Caille Bros production, a circa-1903 50¢ Centaur upright slot machine had undergone a painstaking restoration, with no small detail overlooked. It had a replacement marquee and back door, and a new wheel had been added, resulting in a stunning example of a hard-to-find slot. It was bid beyond its high estimate to $30,750.


Rare circa-1939 Watling Machine Co. (Chicago) 50¢ slot machine. Beautifully restored with artistically-painted front casting and meticulously refinished oak cabinet. Seldom-seen half-dollar model, most of which would have been custom-order items only. Plays and pays beautifully. Keys included. Sold above estimate for $15,990


Half-dollars were also required to operate a rare circa-1939 Watling Machine Co. (Chicago) slot machine. Its beautiful restoration included an artistically-painted front casting and a meticulously-refinished oak cabinet. “The 50¢ model, like this one, is seldom seen in the marketplace because so few were made. Most would have been custom-orders,” explained Morphy Auctions’ founder and president, Dan Morphy. Operating perfectly and with keys included, it landed above estimate at $15,990.


Circa-1935 O.D. Jennings Sun Chief ‘El Rancho’ $1 illuminating console slot machine with cigarette and drink trays. In working order with keys, it sold above high estimate for $15,375.


Yet another good-looking slot was an illuminating circa-1935 O.D. Jennings Sun Chief “El Rancho” console unit. With built-in cigarette and drink trays, the $1 gambling machine could accommodate three vices at once. In working order and retaining its keys, it surpassed its high estimate to close at $15,375.


Circa-1891 Roover Bros. ‘Donkey Wonder’ floor-model fortune teller machine, one of only 3-4 original examples of its type known to exist. Original ‘lady’ donkey fortune teller moves head side to side, surveys the audience and flips her baton to spin the wheel of fortune. Clockwork mechanism with electric power for the lighted cabinet only. Height: 65in. Sold within estimate for $46,740


Bidders clearly got a “kick” out of a circa-1891 Roover Bros. “Donkey Wonder” floor-model fortune teller machine. One of only three or four original machines of its type known to exist, the auction example retained its original “lady” donkey fortune teller, who was capable of moving her head from side to side, surveying the audience, then flipping her baton to spin the wheel of fortune. A clockwork machine with an illuminating cabinet section, it finished within estimate at $46,740.


1937-40 Rockola upright ‘World Series’ baseball arcade machine replicating the 1937 World Series. Replaced glass marquee. Includes nine figural baseball players. For 5¢, patron attempts to get balls into any of eight “hit” slots or two “foul” slots in each corner. Working order. Sold at midpoint of estimate range for $25,830


Both gamers and baseball fans competed for a 1937-40 Rockola upright baseball arcade machine replicating the 1937 World Series, its playing field set with nine figural baseball players. For a nickel, the patron could try to drive balls into any of eight “hit” slots or two “foul” slots in each corner. Ready for play, the classic sports-themed machine sold at the midpoint of its estimate range, for $25,830.


Circa-1921 Deluxe Vending Machine Co. (NYC), ‘Luxo-Model’ gumball vending machine known to collectors as the ‘Maguire.’ Rare and original machine in original copper finish with original globe. Full working order. One of fewer than a handful known to exist. Ref. Pg. 162 of ‘Silent Salesman Too’ by Bill Enes. Sold near high estimate for $14,760


Known to collectors as the “Maguire,” a circa-1921 Deluxe Vending Machine Co. (NYC), “Luxo-Model’ gumball vending machine was deemed by Morphy’s specialists to be 100% original, including its copper finish and globe. Fewer than a handful of Maguires are known to exist, and that includes the elusive machine depicted in Bill Enes’ respected reference Silent Salesman Too. The auction example sold near the top of its estimate range, for $14,760.

One of the many antique advertising signs that outperformed was a pre-Prohibition reverse-painted glass sign advertising Yale Brewing Co. (New Haven, Conn.) Lager Beer, with a well-detailed factory scene and beautiful gold-leaf lettering and accents. Retaining its original oak frame with the original manufacturer’s label on verso, it presented in stellar 8.75 condition and attained $11,070, nearly twice the high estimate. Another excellent price was achieved by a circa-1900 single-sided tin sign promoting Columbia Yarns and decorated with the image of a woman in patriotic attire tending her flock of sheep. A strong condition 8.0, it garnered $9,840 against an estimate of $400-$800.


Outstanding original example of early-20th-century Western Electric stock ticker, Model #2030. Sold for $20,910 against an estimate of $4,000-$8,000


Other highlights from the three-day event included an outstanding original example of an early-20th-century Western Electric stock ticker, Model #2030, which sold for $20,910 against an estimate of $4,000-$8,000; and a large lot of gold nuggets having a total weight of 236 grams. The largest nugget weighed in at 97 grams and was described in the auction catalog as “very pure.” Against an estimate of $14,000-$22,000, it sold for $27,060.


Large lot of gold nuggets, total weight 236g. Largest nugget 97g and very pure. Against an estimate of $14,000-$22,000, it sold for $27,060


To discuss consigning to a future Coin-Op & Antique Advertising auction at Morphy’s, please call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.