Rare 1927 Mills “Play Ball” Baseball Slot Machine
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 1:58 pmA friend of mine called me about a machine coming up at auction at http://www.goldinauctions.com
He was all excited about trying to get it because it is so rare.
I went and took a look at it and advised him not to buy it.
Once you see the picture and read the description I think you will know why.
Let's see who can find the largest number of things wrong in the description
The same auction is selling a 'rare' Babe Ruth catchers mitt. The current bid is $155,000. I wonder if the description of it is just as accurate.
Go to https://goldinauctions.com/rare_1927_mills__play_ball__baseball_slot_machine-lot21910.aspx to see more photos of the Rare 1927 Mills “Play Ball” Baseball Slot Machine
Oh, and they estimate the machine will sell for $15,000+. Current bid is $6,000. I think Buyer's Premium is 20%
He was all excited about trying to get it because it is so rare.
I went and took a look at it and advised him not to buy it.
Once you see the picture and read the description I think you will know why.
Offered is a rare 1927 Mills “Play Ball” slot machine. This notorious “one-armed bandit” was manufactured by Mills when legalized wagering was limited in the United States in that era. Measuring approximately 14 x 24 inches on its face, this is machine was designed with three wheels that when triggered by the spring-loaded handle, rotates independently to arrive at a stop and displays any number of several baseball motifs. Different configurations in the stopped position could also award with base hits, even home runs. A variety of external controls are offered the player, which can interrupt the rotation of the wheels, and other controls can record the progression of base runners. A bigger metallic knob on the right side prompts the machine to dispense packaged candy that was originally wrapped mints called “Play Ball”. “Mills Novelty Co.” and its 1927 copyright appear on the design of a pennant on the wheels. The wheels are eight inches in diameter with several baseball designs and approximate the number of different designs in a conventional slot machine. Wooden sideboards surround the machine and all the metallic surfaces, primarily made of cast iron, are nickel plated. Applied paint in fine detail also highlights the overall image. Keys are included to provide access to the front for replacing the candy, and to gain access in the back to service the mechanism and to retrieve the player’s coinage. The internal mechanism has been cleaned and refitted with new hardware, principally fasteners. Externally, there has been very little restoration, with the paper instructions on top that comprises the machine's only non-original element. The machine is fully operational with just two high-grade examples of this machine have been confirmed to exist.
Let's see who can find the largest number of things wrong in the description
The same auction is selling a 'rare' Babe Ruth catchers mitt. The current bid is $155,000. I wonder if the description of it is just as accurate.
Go to https://goldinauctions.com/rare_1927_mills__play_ball__baseball_slot_machine-lot21910.aspx to see more photos of the Rare 1927 Mills “Play Ball” Baseball Slot Machine
Oh, and they estimate the machine will sell for $15,000+. Current bid is $6,000. I think Buyer's Premium is 20%