by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$24,080 (11 bids, 7 bidders): Wayne Visible Gallon Gas Pump 492 Antique.
Wayne 492 10-gallon visible gas pump with Roman column. Original glass. Roman column and level indicators are in good condition. Both glass and pump lock are in pristine condition.
(Photos courtesy of eBay seller jprinesho.)
DBA: This is one of the early models of gas pump, circa 1920. The Wayne Oil Tank Company made their first gasoline pump in 1907. In 1910, they opened a plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1918 introduced the first visible pump. This model is that type and is an early one in good condition. That this one has sold for $24,080 does not surprise me as there are many collectors for this type of object. This object has been a big seller for many years.
Almost unknown to collectors – this very rare machine was just found in Feb. by Nation’s Attic. The machine was originally used in a bar in the Duluth, MN, area during World War II. During the 1950s, the bar was closed, and the machine was taken home by the owner. Over the decades, the machine was kept in pristine condition with nothing ever done to it. Fast forward to 2018 and the family decided to let this prize go – allowing Nations Attic to find a new home for it.
In 1938, Jennings debuted the Triplex. The model utilized the Chief mechanism with a complicated triple coin head. The model was a sales failure, and now in the 21st century, they are quite rare and desirable. Almost everyone assumes that was the end of the Triplex, but it was not. In 1941, Jennings tried again, but this time they made the machine even more expensive and mechanically complicated! The result was this fantastic creation of which only a very few were made.
When the machine was found, it was mechanically functioning just fine but a bit sluggish. The only flaw to the machine was the glass Long Shot sign on the lower front-it was cracked. Rather than risk the glass breaking further, we had a duplicate of the sign made out of acrylic and installed it. We also replaced the reel window glass, as the original was hard to see through. Once the machine was back in our shop, we lightly oiled and tuned the mechanical mechanism; it works smooth and correctly. We did discover a fairly complicated electro-mechanical mechanism as well. After installing a new and correct power cord and having the electro-mechanical contacts and moving parts cleaned and lubricated, the machine was dispensing winning payouts just as it should! The machine will accept a nickel for 1 play, a dime for 2 plays, and a quarter for 5 plays. On winning combinations of 2 cherries up to 3 bells the machine will payout in nickels. When the Long Shot “jackpot” is hit, the machine will pay $20 in quarters, hence the 400-to-1 Long Shot payout! This set-up is very similar to a Mills Novelty golf ball slot machine.
(Photos courtesy of eBay seller the_nations_attic)
DBA: An important fact to know is that all slot machines are illegal in five states. In the other states, there are restrictions as to what type of machine and how old they have to be for individuals to own them. And they have to be used in a personal situation, not a commercial gaming one. This slot machine is old enough to be legal in all the other 45 states. There are many collectors who want slot machines, as evidenced by the selling price and number of bidders for this one. The fact that this is a rare edition and there have been no alterations to its function makes it even more unusual and desirable.
In the first photograph of this very large, antique, Black Forest Carved Wall Plaque, you can see a 1-foot ruler. This will give you an idea just how large this 20-inch wide by 37-inch tall by 8-inch thick walnut carving really is. It is carved from a single piece of walnut. It depicts a hunter climbing up a mountain to save a small kid goat. The mother goat is on the right. This very large walnut carving is very good condition, but there are a couple of restorations. There are a couple of repair chips, and the goat’s ear is a replacement. Overall, this very large, 19th century, Black Forest carving is original and ready to display.
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)
DBA: The buyer got a good deal as Black Forest carving is very collectible. Despite what you may see in current furnishings magazines, there are still many people who collect 19th century furniture and need the proper decorative accessories for their décor. For an object this size and with this detailed of carving, I would expect the price to be higher. People falsely associate this carving with Germany, but most of these carvings originated in Switzerland, and these wares in the 19th century were a symbol of luxury.
Price listed is for TWO fully operational Royal #5s, each with its own stainless-steel cooling bin. Everything operates on these units. In fact, they’ve been workhorses in our commercial coffee roasting business for the past five years. These are heavy, cast iron roasters built in the early 1900s (one in 1908 and the other in 1914). Each unit weighs about 300 lbs., but both are on casters for easier mobility. The unit with the A.J. Deer front cover has a relatively new motor (115VAC), as the original one failed. This is a single belt driven-unit with a large cast iron wheel. The second unit with the nondescript cover has a motor (again, 115VAC) built in 1974. This particular unit uses leather belts. Once again, the stainless-steel cooling bins, pipe burners, mixers and orifices (currently bored for LP) are all working and included. Now, there are a very few refurbished, pristine and beautiful Royal #5s out there … just want to be clear, these are not those. These are extremely sturdy, working roasters we’ve relied on for years.(Photos courtesy of eBay seller bmrosh76210.)
DBA: These units are still being used for roasting coffee today, but mostly by small companies who are marketing small specialty brews. These are functioning units but not “museum” untouched units. Given the usual prices for these, I would say the seller got a good deal. The company was founded in 1905, and these were always highly regarded as well-made reliable units. I have seen these trade for between $3,000 to $8,500 each.
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