AboutRodger Knutson Expertise I am an expert on old coin operated machines, slot machines, trade stimulator's, jukeboxes, old arcade machines, etc. I have been identifying these for people who respond to my web site listed below, for a few years now. In almost all cases I am able to tell them about their old coin operated machines, the year, the value, and other general information about their machines. I do not know much about soda vending machines, coin banks, or scales, but I will try to help you with these if I can. Please email photo's to: jackpot7@ix.netcom.com My web site is at: http://www.coinslots.com
Experience I bought my first slot machine, a .50 Cent Mills Black Cherry in 1969 and have been hooked from that time, I still have that Slot machine! Before that I found a open barrel full of old scraped jukebox wall boxes behind a restaurant, I wanted them all but never took a one of them. Anything that took a coin drove me nuts!
Question Hi Rodger,
I have an antique slot machine. The only information I have been able to find is from the book Arcadia. They have a picture of it. It's called The Film Stars. Great Britain, Tom Boland, 1948. Single reel. Fruits replaced by film stars.Mine has Errol Flynn and Bette Davis pictures in the front.Also came with some English coins which you fill from the back. I am wondering what the value of this machine would be?
Also, where did these machines come from-theatres,casinos? Any information would be great!
Thanks,
Ann
Answer Hi Ann,
This is about all the information I have for you right now. This machine was made by mills, most were either shipped or made over seas for the foreign market, and they were made in 1940. They were getting old and tired by war time so nothing much was being made at that time, see information attached, so around that time my guess is that Boland & Co. made a new cabinet out of wood for the old mills mechanism, wood because that was the only material that you could get yours hands on then, all metal went to the war effort. So you see a machine like this, a mills mechanism in a all wood cabinet and the best guess is either there were a lot of mechanisms around with no cabinets or it was a clean up of old machines to make them look new and different to keep the players happy and interested. Foreign slot machines have never done well in the collectors market over here that is why there is just not a lot of information on them. If I run into any more information I'll let you know. Also back then there were not many casinos as we know them, mostly road houses, I don't think you would see these in theatres as gambling was not very liked, my guess is that they were just trying something that was different. I almost bought one of these a long time ago for about 600.00 but passed on it. Value, I am not sure but would guess it could bring up to around 1,200.00. That would be supper if it did as it is a foreigon slot machine, I would guess from 600.00 to a 1,000.00 is what it would sell for, yours is nice, real nice!
Cheers
Hi Ann,
I think I know this machine, the information I have on it is that it's called Screen Stars made around 1940's and has an Oscar marquee on the bottom casting. It was made by Mills but for the foreign market. I am going to have to do some more research on this but the last one I remember seeing sold, went around about 500.00 to 800.00. Can you e-mail me a photo of it to be sure? if so my address is;
jackpot7@ix.netcom.com
