Skelly 1926 Sandy Boy

[atac]

Somebody pinged me today and offered to sell a 25c 1926 Skelly Sandy Boy. No keys. Doesn't really work. Looks typical Skelly--wire impregnated glass over reels and circular escalator. All metal (aluminum) case. I've seen a 1926 Skelly--just says 1926 in the lower casting. This one has "1926 Sandy Boy" in the lower casting. There's a large space for an award card, but a small comet looking one mounted in the lower left of that space. The top casting has mounting tabs for a marquee, but there's no marquee and I don't think the tabs were ever tapped. Obviously it's a crap shoot if it's complete since there are no keys. I doubt it's full of quarters because it looks more restored than a barn find.

Any guess as to value? Or a range? I would guess it's uncommon, but a non cast iron, non jackpot gooseneck, I'm thinking $800-$1000 if ok and maybe $600-$700 since there aren't any keys.

Thanks for any help.

[Midcoast Vintage]

it say "CANDY BOY', not sandy boy.
It is a rare machine.
keys and a reward card ... i have a reward card for it... are nothing to worry about.
if the tabs on top were never tapped, then you are not missing a marquee.
pop a coin in and see if it runs.
as far as value, it worth more than the prices you are talking about.
just because it's not cast iron, don't discount it.
there are plenty of machines that are aluminum that are worth as much or more than cast iron machines.
a skelly candy boy is probably rarer than a mills operator's bell.
it is not wort as much, but, it is a rarer machine.
whether you get it or not, pictures would be nice.
you just don't see many of them.

[atac]

Yeah, I now have one picture: Candy Boy

[mechanic]

This is a very uncommon machine these days, back in the 70's there were quite a few. If this is a complete machine you have a bonus as many were disassembled for parts. Looks like from the pic that all thats missing is the award card and the frame. Another plus is that it is a quarter machine as most were 1-5-or10C.

[atac]

I finally saw it in person. It looks cleaned up if not restored. The marquee tabs were never tapped. There's no sign it ever had a mint vender. The back lock is a replacement. Looks clean, but doesn't play. It's probably just gummed up. I made an offer for probably more than it's worth, plus agreed to give the owner any quarters inside--but if anything was missing, I'd use the quarters to defray, lock, etc. The owner did not take it and wants to get the lock picked. Given that the lock isn't original, I suggested drilling it over paying a locksmith, but no. So, the machine left without me. I have since notified the owner that if he came back, my old offer isn't on the table. If anybody wants to step up, I will be happy to pass on offers (above my current offer) to the owner.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

atac:
The comments above, regarding the scarcity of the Skelly "Candy Boy", are right on target. This is a machine that very seldom turns up
in any condition, and should be pursued. I am attaching a pix of a previous Skelly machine, titled "The Fox", produced in 1925. The year
before "Candy Boy". Compare the differences in the escalator, and the award card framework area. You will also notice that the panel
on The Fox, below the gooseneck, carries the Skelly Mfg. Co. lettering, which was omitted on the Candy Boy model. Not sure why this
happened, but shortly after, in 1927 & 28, Pace bought out the Skelly Bell machine line. Also note that the famous Pace Rotary Escalator
was originally designed by Skelly, before Pace took over the line. Pace started making an Operator Bell model in 1928, still using this Skelly
designed case, which now carried the Pace Mfg. Co. lettering below the same style gooseneck, and had the year 1928 in the lower front
casting. They also added a Future Pay feature & window to the left of the reel window.
Skelly continued making a slightly smaller, and not-so-attractive, single reel series, with names like "Bell Junior", and "Pot Boy", through
the 1930 era. Not being as attractive as their earlier models, which was probably what led to their demise, and the reason that they never
turn up often. Therefore, they are quite scarce as well. If you like their looks, that is.
Bill

[atac]

After a weird few weeks, I own the Skelly. I referred the prior owners to a locksmith that made a key for it. It is working thanks to Rick Hector, but the mechanism could use a good going over. The reel strips are original and in good shape. I was thinking I'll post some pics and do a fantastic find story this fall. It's really neat the way the castings make an apron around the base plus make up the "runners" on the bottom. And as noted it is the first rotary escalator that made it's way into the Pace line through the 50's.