Collectibles-General (Antiques)/GumBall Machine

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Expert: - 4/3/2010


Question

gum ball machine
I have a gum ball machine with two mounted on one stand. Both have wooden sides, a glass front and a metal top with a key operated lock in the middle on the top. The theme on one is football the other has an airplane. The stand is a pole with a large round base of I guess cast iron.I would like to know the age and value if possible.

Answer
Hi,
 Your machines were made by Victor vending in the 1950's. They also made several other themed machines such as golf and baseball. I could not tell for sure from the picture but it looked like the one with the airplane had some of the wood damaged on the one side. Even so, your machines have some value. I would estimate at auction the set would bring 200-400.
 Hope that helps.

Tom Novitski

Expertise

I am able to answer questions on old coin operated machines. These include vending machines such as gumball or peanut or other machines such as trade stimulators that did not dispense a product but were positioned on a store's counter to bring in customers or stimulate trade. I specialize in machines by Pulver, Zeno, and Mansfield and also any old cast iron or wood machines.

Experience

I have been collecting these type of machines for about 10 years and have traveled the country to antique shows and auctions.

Organizations
Coin operated collectors association

Education/Credentials
I have learned about many of these machines from traveling to view the collections of others.

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