November 20-21, 2019 Coin-Op & Advertising
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/20/2019
Circa 1942. The “Holy Grail” of Rock-Ola jukeboxes, the Multi-Coin Rock-Ola Model 1414 - also known as the President - is an extremely rare machine that advanced collectors dream about. Its rarity is due to the fact that it was made just prior to World War II. When Rock-ola was commissioned by the US government to make M1 Carbine rifles for the war effort, they abandoned the elaborate and difficult to manufacture design of the President and switched to the simpler but similar Commando. The best guess by jukebox historians is that only a handful of Presidents were made. For the last few decades, there were rumors of two originals “out there.” A few reproductions have been made. Five were made in Phoenix AZ, in the shop of Brad Merchant, and at least two were made in Europe, one of which appears in the Terra Technica museum in The Czech Republic. We believe this example is the same as the one at the Terra Technica museum. Extensive research proves this particular machine is a Rock-Ola Commando modified to look like a President, complete with mechanism and other internal parts, along with plastics from a 1939 Rock-Ola Luxury Light-Up. The center side parts of the cabinet are new and added to the cabinet, and possibly aged or weathered to match the rest. Although a wonderful example, this machine has catalin plastics, there is no evidence that Rock-Ola ever made a catalin plastic version of the President. They did however make a catalin version of the Commando. Further evidence shows the almost impossible to detect reasons this machine is a modified Commando. Hinge placement, elevation of side vents (on a President, the left side vent is higher than the right), millwork on the waist band has been extended with a seam to accommodate the enlarged cabinet, radiuses on the lower door and the corners match those of a Commando, veneer patterns, and the President should have a curved serial tag at the top with a model number of 1414. In working order with a fantastic look and sound, this machine is sure to be a hit in any collection. If an original were to come to market it would surely command six figures. Excellent overall condition.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.
Condition: (Excellent).
Item Dimensions: 82" x 35" x 36".