CoinOpCollectorForum.com

I recently purchased a 1920s Caille Brothers Fortune Ball Gum Vendor. It's in good working order, and only missing the top metal banner that says "1¢ Ball-Gum 1¢."

I'd really like to try to find either an original or casting of that piece so my machine can be complete. Anyone know where I can find one?

I've attached some photos of my machine, and also two photos of other machines that have the top banner.

I also have a random question: The reels and the horoscope sheet on my machine feature shields and horseshoes, but on all other photos I could find of this kind of machine it's fruit. What do you think this says about the machine I bought?

Thanks for your help!

Dan:
There have been at least 4 of these original marquee castings sold on eBay in the past couple of years.
They were ones that the Vegas Butcher removed from nice original machines, when he Bastardized the
machines into his Fantasy BaseBall models that never existed. He sells all the original parts that he rips
from his Junk Creations. If you are lucky, maybe one of our Forum members purchased one or more of
the eBay listings, and would be happy to part with one. There are also recasts available, but ask for a
closeup pix of both sides, as there are some recasts that are very poor quality. They will also be slightly
shrunk, so you will have to elongate the mounting holes.
Bill

Thanks, Bill. What do you think a fair price would be for such a piece?

dan347 wrote:Thanks, Bill. What do you think a fair price would be for such a piece?

I don't like to quote prices on original parts, in case someone has one to sell. It's whatever the buyer
is comfortable with. I looked in the completed listings, to see if the last original was still there, to
give you an idea of what it went for, but it was no longer listed. As far as a recast, it would cost in
the area of $25 to $30, maybe more, to have one made today. Foundry prices have escalated quite
a bit in the last few years.