Expert: Tom Novitski - 1/3/2010

Question
I hope you are doing well. I am in search for a nice antique gumball machine that I can put in my office that works. I didnt want to buy some cheaper replica but something more that I could keep as an antique item. I love collecting antiques and wanted to expand my collection. I want a machine that will dispense the larger size gumballs that measure close to an inch in size. I have been searching all over for some information to study regarding the different older models that would dispense this size gumball. Could you educate me any or direct me in the right direction for information on these machines. Any advice or recommendations would be great. Your help with this is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Brad Owens


Answer
Hi Brad,
 Thanks for inquiry regarding antique gumball machines. I am a collector of these machines and others that were operated by a coin such as old arcade machines.
If you are looking for a reference book on old gum machines the book to get is Silent Salesman Too by Bill Enes. It is an older reference book but new price guides are available and this book is the bible for old gum machine collectors.
 If you want some pictures of some old gum machines, send me your email address and I will forward some pictures of some machines I have in my collection some of which are for sale.
 Thanks,
 Tom
 tnovi@aol.com