Collecting Layouts
by Sheldon Smith
Slot glass, slot machines and table games, those casino collectibles you never knew folks collected!
As you might recall from our previous article, I had mentioned that there are what I would refer to as: HEAVY LIFTER ITEMS! They are not so much heavy as they are impossibly, in some cases, expensive to acquire. I number among these items; slot machines, slot glass, table layouts, actual casino table games, etc.
Let’s explore them item by item.
First, slot machines, they go way back to the end of the 19th century and have been the object in recent times of some very significant prices. They are what we refer to as TWO WHEELERS, actually slot machines of a very distinct antique variety that have two rotating wheels in the front of the machine. I believe the most expensive one I have ever seen sold for $140,000!! a few years back. Many slot machines, obviously, sell for less and many, many are selling the thousands of dollars.
Third, believe it or not folks collect the actual table games themselves! I have been to a number of folk’s houses where they have a roulette table, yes, the entire table and they have a craps table, and yes again, the entire table! Better have a lot of room in your “Person Cave” if you want to collect those! Pretty expensive, not easy to find and transport from where you do find them. A few places actually will sell you these and when a casino goes out of business, etc., they do become available.
The hard to find, made of glass, from the actual casino with the name on them.
The easier to find, but from games that are no longer played, possibly with celebrity faces on them.
And finally, the plexiglass/plastic slot coverings from games that no one ever hears about a month after they go out the door as an unsuccessful try to entice players.
Next time we review what has sold on eBay, what has not sold on eBay and things you should not buy!
Casino Memorabilia with Sheldon
