June 20-21, 2020 Coin-Op & Advertising
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/20/2020
This is a very rare penny money back gambling scale from Caille, circa 1903. Predating the more often seen Caille Washington Money Back scale, this model was manufactured at 206 Randolph street in Detroit MI. as noted on the dial. The Caille Company was located at 206 Randolph street in 1903 and then in 1904 was moved for the last time to 1300 Second St. where it remained. This scale also has a metal tag on the front below the pin field which states "Property of the Yale Operating Company 720 Main Kansas City, Missouri", where it was located. The Yale Amusement Company resided at 720 main beginning in 1904 and later in 1914 they changed the name to the Yale Arcade Theater. This Caille gambling scale has such a great look along with the Caille name to boot. The glass around the scale face is glue chipped just as the upright floor machines of that period. The scale glass has big maroon letters which state "Money Back Scale" and the Caille company initials are found in the lower corners. This big machine almost looks like an old grandfather clock, standing just over six feet tall with its curved wood top. The scale face shows charts for men and women but then goes into more detail with the boys and girls. The big cast-iron plate above the pin field reads "Watch where your money goes" and the center chute in the pin field is labeled "Money back". The pin field is located right in the center of the machine and when you drop your penny in the scale it will fall down and bounce through this area. If you get lucky and the penny hits the center money back chute, a set of balls inside will ding as a penny falls into the payout cup below. This would be the gambling feature of the machine as you are trying to get your penny back and your weight for free. This scale was featured on the front of the Coin Operated Collectors Association news magazine and at the time of that feature was the only known example to surface. This is a beautiful example of an early Caille scale, not found in any of the catalogs, in unrestored perfect patina, and with known history and provenance. The oak case is in original varnish, with some oxidation to the cast pieces and the foot plate. The glue-chip face is near mint, and the paper dial in excellent condition. For all you Caille collectors out there, this is the scale for your collection. Working and with keys.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.Condition: (Very Good - Excellent).
Item Dimensions: 20 - 1/4" x 76" x 32".