AboutChad Boekelheide Expertise I'm an expert on coin operated machines. I can answer questions on slot machines, gumball & peanut machines, jukeboxes, arcade machines, pinball machines, gambling machines and any other device that operates with a coin. I have a couple hundred machines in my collection and have seen hundreds of others while traveling across the country and going to antique shows. I can give an appraisal on your item, but please send a picture if possible so I can give you accurate information. You can send pictures to me at buck@nvc.net
Experience I've been a serious collector for many years. Many of my machines can be viewed on my website. www.chadscoinop.com
Expert: Chad Boekelheide Date: 6/20/2007 Subject: Zambini Fortune Teller Arcade
Question We have a Zambini Fortune Teller that my husband acquired through his work -- he is a technician for an amusement company. We are going through a divorce and I am trying to get an approximate value amount for division of property purposes. He will not tell me anything about Zambini but he wants the machine. This Zambini is in an ornate oak cabinet with curved brass looking legs that are approximately 6 inches tall. The top of the cabinet front has a decorative carved arch which wraps around the sides and graduates down at the back of the top of the cabinet. The cabinet itself is probably about 1-1/2 to 2 feet
thick below the glass screen with Zambini's face and about 8 inches thick where the screen area is. At the base of the screen there is a slanted flat area which has the white ball that you place your hand over to have your fortune told. It is a 25 cent slot machine. All the lights work -- white ball, Zambini's eyes, etc. and he talks -- "Give Me a Quarter and I will Tell You Your Fortune". The cabinet is in excellent condition, no chips or scratches and the wood has a very nice satin
waxed finish. The colors on the glass are bright and unscratched, with the gypsy Zambini wearing a white turban and gypsy clothing and there are no cracks or crazing in the glass colors. The piece actually looks like a fine antique however I am not sure if it is an antique or
possibly a specialty built cabinet for this Zambini. Can you tell me anything about the possible value or perhaps the manufacturer so that I can contact them. We go to court in 3 days -- Friday, June 22. Thank you so much for any information you can provide.
Answer I collect pre 1950 machines and have no knowledge of this specific fortune teller. Vintage fortune tellers operate on a penny or nickel and can be worth several thousand dollars if complete and working properly. Sorry but I'm not familiar with values of the newer examples. Good luck in your search for information.
