Morphy Auctions’ January, 2017 Las Vegas Coin-Op Event is a Royal Flush, Realizing Over $3.8 Million
Morphy Auctions, the finest auction destination for fresh to the market collections, is pleased to announce the results of this world-class event, which was held on Saturday, January 28th and Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at the company’s Las Vegas auction gallery (Pictured: 1895 Charles Fey Liberty Bell slot machine sold for $174,000).
All sales prices noted include the 23% buyer’s premium.
It’s no gamble to say that this sale’s offerings of countertop slot and poker machines generated enormous interest amongst buyers from all over the world. Lot #155, a Charles Fey Liberty Bell slot machine and shipping crate, rang true to realize $174,000. This 1895 example, in working, all original, untouched condition, is considered the apex of all coin-op gambling machines ever manufactured.
Lot #903, a circa 1905-1910 5¢ Caille Liberty package gum slot machine, believed to be the only known surviving example, made $126,000
Lot #903, a circa 1905-1910 5¢ Caille Liberty package gum slot machine, believed to be the only known surviving example, made $126,000. It was designed to sidestep the gambling laws of the time by dispensing a pack of gum with every play.
Lot #156, an early 1900’s 1¢ Caille Hy-Lo poker machine, took the high road to realize $36,900
Lot #156, an early 1900’s 1¢ Caille Hy-Lo poker machine, took the high road to realize $36,900.
Lot #5, a late 1930’s 5¢ Mills Novelty Co. Hoke Snake slot machine made $60,000
And lot #5, a late 1930’s 5¢ Mills Novelty Co. Hoke Snake slot machine, featuring a distinctive serpentine motif on the upper and lower castings, more than doubled its low estimate to make $60,000.
Lot #306, an extraordinarily rare circa 1905 5¢ Mills roulette slot machine in phenomenal, all original condition took in $289,050
Now let’s hit the ground running with some floor slot machine sales highlights. Lot #306, an extraordinarily rare circa 1905 5¢ Mills roulette slot machine in phenomenal, all original condition with nickel plated iron castings and a handsome quarter sawn oak cabinet, spun its way to $289,050.
Collectors took a double take on lot #902, a rare 5¢ & 25¢ Pace Royal Comet Twin Slot Machine, which realized $25,200 – more than three times its low estimate. This double console machine’s mechanisms can be used separately or together with the center pull handle. Bidders found lot #304, a 5¢ Mills “The Judge” musical cabinet slot machine, guilty of being remarkably desirable. This unusual example, featuring an oak cabinet with recessed panels and carved applique details and ornate cast iron elements, realized $29,520. And one buyer struck gold with lot #307, a 1949 life-sized carved wooden 5¢ Pace “8” Star Bell Frank Polk miner slot machine. This signed rarity made $39,600.
This event’s outstanding selections of trade stimulators left nothing up to chance. Collectors were certainly feline groovy over lot #253, a 1920’s era 10¢ Lukat “The Lucky Cat” trade stimulator. This pretty kitty, which realized $27,060, rewards winning players with a gumball and cigars. Lot #191, an early 20th century cast iron 5¢ Watling “Color Match” trade stimulator, with its unusual and original side vendor, realized $30,000. Lot #937, an early 1900’s 5¢ Mills Bulls Eye Counter Wheel trade stimulator featuring ornately detailed castings affixed to a matching cast iron rotating base and a near-mint tin litho color wheel, hit $36,900. And lot #1049, a circa 1935 5¢ Superior Vendomat cigarette vender trade stimulator, met its match at $33,210, more than twice its high estimate.
According to Dan Morphy, President of Morphy Auctions, “It was especially thrilling to be at this auction in person. The energy and excitement in the room from start to finish was simply amazing. It was an honor to handle the Barry Goldfarb collection and I am certain that buyers will be extraordinarily happy with their purchases from this fine grouping. Please mark your calendars for our next premier coin-op sale, which will be held on May 27th-28th, 2017 at our Las Vegas gallery. We continue to accept fine consignments for this sale through mid-March, 2017.”
For more information, please visit www.morphyauctions.com.