November 4, 5, & 6, 2021 Coin-Op & Advertising
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2021
In the world of merchant trade stimulators of the early 19th century, it does not get much better than The Star Trade Register of Montpelier, Vermont. The company was founded in 1900 as a partnership with one of the partners, a Charles R. Smith, the inventor of the machine. They originally purchased Regina Style 15 coin-op disc music players as the attraction to draw in the players to the machine, but in 1903 switched to what we find factory installed on this machine: a 15 1/2" Style 11 Regina coin-op disc music mechanism. The company closed its doors in 1909 after a very short production run. This example, in impeccable condition, is number 38. The Star Trade Register is a combination coin-op in a wonderful 7-foot tall floor model encased in an oak cabinet. Designed to go in cigar stores, it was a marvel in simplicity of design. A player would deposit a nickel in the slot at the top to start the mechanism in motion. No cranks would be pulled or rotated, just the weight of the customers' nickels would be all that was required to actuate the four cast iron bull wheels. These wheels were more heavily weighted on one side by the nickels and allowed to move one position only by adding a new coin. These would in turn trigger a disc musical box, dispense trade tokens good for 1, 2, or 3 cigars, and activate a primitive motor which turned an advertising carousel and odds wheel. Few examples exist in collections today, and even fewer in any kind of working order. This example fills that void perfectly. For any advanced coin-op collector, and any collector wanting the best of the best...here it is. Condition is restored, beautiful finish, reconditioned Regina player, and a beautiful finish to the oak cabinet. No excuses. Comes with four Regina discs, original trade tokens with the same serial number as the machine, additional advertising cards, and a copy of the patent. With keys.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.Condition: (Excellent).
Item Dimensions: 85" x 33" x 18".