Tag Archive for: coin-op

Morphy’s Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction closes the books at $3.7M

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Circa-1902 Watling Cupid cast-iron slot machine, only known example with dual coin entry to accommodate both US and Canadian nickels. Also equipped with side gum-vending machine marked ‘5¢.’ Sold above high estimate for $72,000

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions’ lively April 20-22 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction delivered a fantastic selection of rare slot machines, amusements and early advertising to an eager audience of bidders, cashing out at just under $3.7 million. The multi-session sale featured dozens of sought-after categories, including country store memorabilia, which was represented by one of the largest collections of its type to reach the marketplace in decades.

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Morphy’s delivers the fun with Apr. 20-22 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction 

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Exceedingly rare circa 1902-1904 Caille Bros Triple Eclipse upright musical slot machine incorporating three separate machines to accept 5 cents, 50 cents, and 5 cents, respectively. Displaying Serial No. 121, it is the earliest of few known legitimate Caille ‘triples.’ Magnificent example with all original castings. Estimate $200,000-$300,000

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s will bring on the fun and games April 20-22 with a stellar array of antique coin-operated machines and early advertising. Nearly 2,100 premium lots will be offered in three daily sessions, each packed with rare and desirable items. A special highlight is a substantial collection of country store memorabilia which Morphy Auctions’ CEO Tom Tolworthy describes as “one of the largest of its kind to come fresh to the market in decades.” In addition to gallery bidding, Morphy’s welcomes absentee and live online participation via LiveAuctioneers.

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Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) Roller Skating cast-iron mechanical bank, excellent condition retaining bright original paint colors. Sold for $24,000

Bertoia Auctions wraps Schroeder toy collection series at $5.7M

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Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) Roller Skating cast-iron mechanical bank, excellent condition retaining bright original paint colors. Sold for $24,000

Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) Roller Skating cast-iron mechanical bank, excellent condition retaining bright original paint colors. Sold for $24,000

VINELAND, N.J. – After the toy community had the excitement of bidding on treasures from the 60-year Aaron and Abby Schroeder collection in March and September 2021, only one question lingered: was there more? Indeed, there was. With a heady $5.7 million subtotal from last year’s events as its foundation, the third and final installment put the exclamation point on the series. On October 14th, Bertoia’s presented “Abby’s Attic Finds,” a 500-lot discovery selection that added another $550,000 to boost the grand total to $6.25 million.

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Morphy’s hits $2M jackpot with antique coin-op machines and advertising

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Circa-1904 Caille Bros. 5-cent Roulette floor-model slot machine with seven coin-slots. Fresh to the market after being purchased from The Las Vegas Club hotel and casino in the 1970s. The finest original Caille Roulette machine Morphy’s specialists had ever seen, it sold at the midpoint of its pre-sale estimate for $246,000.

DENVER, Pa. – Beautiful coin-operated machines of a bygone era joined forces with stellar antique advertising this month to produce an auction payday at Morphy’s that exceeded $2 million. The Nov. 3-5, 2022 sale, with absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers, featured more than 1,600 premier lots. All shared a common thread that was best explained by Morphy Auctions CEO Tom Tolworthy, a noted coin-op expert who personally cataloged the auction.

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Automobilia collection kept bidders engaged at Milestone’s $600K auction

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Very rare 1936 Packard 1407 Coupe with rumble seat. Complete with V12 473-cubic-inch 175hp engine and original 3-speed transmission. Excellent condition, odometer showing 64,033 actual miles. Accompanied by large assortment of extra parts. Sold for $140,400 against an estimate of $120,000-$150,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – The multifaceted collection of the late Mark Smith was the cornerstone of an exciting $613,000 event at Milestone Auctions’ suburban Cleveland gallery on October 15th. Smith, a Virginia businessman, was a passionate and very hands-on collector of automotive advertising and memorabilia, a reflection of his involvement in the car industry. But there was much more to Smith’s collecting interests than just motoring, said Miles King, co-owner of Milestone Auctions.

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Milestone to host Oct. 15 auction of classic cars, automobilia, antiques & collectibles

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Very rare 1936 Packard 1407 Coupe with rumble seat. Complete with V12 473-cubic-inch 175hp engine and original 3-speed transmission. Excellent condition, runs great. Clean, straight Dietrich-style body. Odometer: 64,033 actual miles. Accompanied by large assortment of extra parts. Estimate $120,000-$150,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – When the doors open to Milestone’s auction gallery on Saturday, October 15th, an energized – and eclectic – group of bidders is expected to rush in, grab a coffee and take a last-minute look at the merchandise they hope to bring home.

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Robot automata band sells for $350,550 at Morphy’s mechanical music auction

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Top lot of the sale: Gebroeders Decap dance organ with robot musician figures, Belgium, 1963. One of only three made in 105-key configuration. Purchased by Ozzie Bilotta, who is opening a private antique toy and sci-fi collectibles museum this fall in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Sold for $350,550 against an estimate of $100,000-$200,000

DENVER, Pa. – A trio of robot musicians with a captivating, toe-tapping sound led the parade of mechanical music machines and automata at Morphy’s $2.3 million sale of the Henri Krijnen collection, and according to the buyer, the Space-Age combo’s next stop will be a museum or related attraction in Florida.

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Morphy’s May 4-6 auction offers stellar antique coin-ops and advertising

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JP Seeburg Style ‘G’ upright Art Style Orchestrion comprising piano, violin and flute pipes; mandolin attachment, bass and snare drums; tympani, cymbal and triangle. Exceptional volume. Electrically illuminated interior. VG condition with exceptional art glass. Estimate $40,000-$60,000

DENVER, Pa. – Long before the era of instant entertainment from TV, downloaded music and streaming videos, Americans could amuse themselves with a pocketful of change at an arcade. The thrilling atmosphere of those places, whether indoors or on a seaside boardwalk, resonated with the clanging and whirring of slot machines, the pinging of bagatelles, and orchestral tunes performed by mechanical music machines. Coin-ops were also found in saloons and other social establishments. Today, the mechanical entertainers of yesteryear are displayed in collections from coast to coast, often flanked by antique advertising signs of the same period. Many of the rarest and finest of all antique coin-ops and signs have passed through the doors of Morphy Auctions, which will hold its next sale of these popular specialties on May 4-6. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy Auctions reports blockbuster year with 2021 sales exceeding $50M

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Rare and exceptional Mohawk Gasoline circular porcelain neon service station with Native American graphic and original cast-metal mounting stand. Produced in the 1930s for Mohawk Oil Co., Bakersfield, California. 9.0+ condition. Sold at Morphy’s Oct. 3-4, 2021 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction for its high-estimate price of $120,000

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions is pleased to report a year of unprecedented new-buyer interest and stellar results across all categories in 2021, with gross sales surpassing $50 million.

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Morphy’s rolls out rare coin-ops, mechanical music, antique advertising, Nov. 4-6

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Exquisite 1899 Mills ‘Double Dewey’ 5-cent and 25-cent musical slot machine, 68in tall, ornate cast-iron claw feet, reliefs of Admiral Dewey, and Mozart. Comes with keys. Estimate $40,000-$80,000

DENVER, Pa. – At the turn of the 20th century, a pocketful of nickels or quarters was all a patron needed for thrills and entertainment at a saloon, amusement arcade or gambling house. Remarkably, the price to operate the ingenious machines that once filled a room with music or paid out a jackpot has not changed, but finding fine examples of such machines is quite another matter. This explains why Morphy Auctions’ Coin-Op & Antique Advertising series is so popular with collectors. Morphy’s never fails to present a connoisseur’s selection of coin-ops and exquisite advertising signs that are rarely seen elsewhere. Their next specialty sale, November 4-6, will offer more than 1,500 choice lots over the three-day period.

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