Coin-op and antique advertising collectors chart a course for Las Vegas and fresh-to-market discoveries at Morphy’s Oct. 16-18 auction
Featured: Rare circa-1911 Mills 5¢ floor model Totem token gum-vending trade stimulator, $100K-$200K; 1906 Victor Novelty Works musical upright slot machine, $30K-$60K
LAS VEGAS – Sourcing rare, fresh-to-the-market coin-op machines and antique advertising is a year-round mission for the team at Morphy Auctions. While their decades-long tradition of holding coin-op and advertising specialty sales at their Pennsylvania flagship gallery will never change, twice a year they head west to Nevada to present exciting new finds to motivated collectors at their Las Vegas location. Morphy’s next semiannual Vegas Coin-Op & Antique Advertising sale is slated for October 16-18, with a lineup that includes 1,672 expertly-curated auction lots from a variety of subcategories.
The colorful selection includes rare music, arcade, gambling and vending machines, plus a bumper crop of exceptional antique and vintage signage touting everything from tobacco and alcoholic beverages to soda pop, barbers’ goods, and the various products that would have been stocked at general stores more than a century ago. The atmosphere at these entertaining Las Vegas events is always upbeat and welcoming, but those who cannot attend in person can still join the fun by bidding absentee, by phone or live online through Morphy’s bidding platform.
The auction’s top-estimated lot is an extremely rare circa-1911 Mills 5¢ Totem token gum-vending trade stimulator, whose three arrows spin in two directions and stop individually at Native American symbols reverse-painted on the front glass. The wheel is flanked by detailed totem poles in the casting, and the coin-entry lists various combinations that return “awards.” The unit is in VG-Excellent condition and displays several original Mills decals. All components and the Yale locks are original to the machine. It plays, pays and dispenses package gum perfectly. A gambling machine of this scarcity comes to market only once in a lifetime, and this particular example is possibly the only surviving example of the floor-model gum-vending version of the Totem. It is estimated at $100,000-$200,000.
A rare 1906 Victor Novelty Works musical upright slot machine features brightly-colored glue-chip front glass, highly decorative hand carvings, ornate nickel castings and a beautiful musical accompaniment. This fresh-to-the-market machine has its original castings, wheel, back door and music box, and shows only light wear from play. Truly a wonderful example of a hard-to-find upright slot, it is entered in the auction with a $30,000-$60,000 estimate.
Grandmother always knows best, even when she’s looking into the future. An original 5¢ Grandmother’s Predictions (aka Cleveland Grandma) fortune teller arcade machine has three glass windows, with the front-facing pane screen-painted with the message “What Does Grandma Say? Your Answer Is Here.” Inside the unit, a realistic life-size Grandmother automaton with a wax head, brown hair, glass blue eyes and an attractive, well-detailed face stands ready to dispense a fortune to the next patron who drops a nickel into the slot. Recently restored, it comes with a supply of fortune cards and keys. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
Some spectacular signs will be offered to bidders, with beer advertising in the lead. A gorgeous circa-1891 American Brewing Company (Pocatello, Idaho) circular advertising sign is reverse-painted on glass with a central image of the Statue of Liberty standing atop the Earth. Its patriotic red, white and blue motif is accented in gold leaf, and it is maker-marked for Dawe’s Mfg Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. Retaining its original gilt gesso frame, the 24¼-inch-diameter sign is a strong condition 9.0. The pre-sale estimate is $15,000-$30,000.
From the California Brewing Company in San Francisco, a five-color reverse-painted on glass beer advertising sign is highlighted by an outstanding graphic of a California bear. It displays bright colors, gold-leaf lettering, and exceptional artistic detail. Its oval frame is all original, including the wood backing. Measuring 16¼ inches by 20 inches and, like the Statue of Liberty sign, it is in 9.0 condition. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
A very unusual circa-1900 sign-painter’s advertising sign is shaped in the form of an artist’s palette, with hand-painted “gold” lettering that says ORNAMENTAL SIGN PAINTER. The lettering is bright and shows only minor wear. This is an excellent, sizable example of an early wooden trade sign, measuring 78 by 47 inches. Graded condition 8.7, it is expected to sell in the $10,000-$25,000 range.
An eye-catching entertainer, a circa-1941 Wurlitzer (Chicago) Model 850 “Peacock” jukebox accepts nickels, dimes and quarters. With its multi-coin grinder and original plastics, this classic jukebox has a tight veneer showing only light wear. In VG condition, it operates, illuminates and has working coin gear, but could use maintenance. Fresh to the market, it is estimated at $10,000-$18,000.
Early arcade machines with a sports theme are always in demand. In the October 16-18 auction, Morphy’s will offer a desirable circa-1928 penny arcade “PLAY GOLF” machine made by Chester Pollard Amusement Co., of New York City. It shows little to no wear from use, is fully operational and ready for play and display, having undergone a recent restoration that included refinishing the case and interior graphics. A great example of an arcade machine from the Art Deco period, it is estimated at $8,000-$16,000.
Who could resist an all-original circa-1905 “Chicago” peanut-vending machine made by Coleman Hardware Company? An example of this desirable model is shown on Page 38 of Silent Salesman Too – The Encyclopedia of Collectible Vending Machines by Bill Enes. The auction machine retains its original marquee and lid hold-down ring, has a new globe, and is in overall Excellent condition. Estimate: $5,000-$10,000
The height of European sophistication at the time of its manufacture, a rare circa-1900 musical gentleman “smoker” automaton is attributed to the legendary French firm Roullet et Decamps. As the music box plays one of two tunes, the dapper young man in a top hat and tails lifts a cigarette to his lips, inhales, moves his head, then expels smoke from his nose and mouth. The 26-inch automaton is in amazing condition overall, showing only light wear to the hat brim and a crack to the right hand. Both the clothing and base are original. Housed in a protective glass dome display case, it comes to auction with a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.
The October 16-18, 2025 auction will be held live at Morphy’s comfortable West Coast satellite gallery located at 4520 Arville St., #1, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103. Start time is 9am Pacific time (12 noon Eastern time). Preview weekdays by appointment from 9am-4pm local time starting one week before the auction; or on auction days from 8-9am. All forms of remote bidding are available, including absentee, by phone (please reserve line in advance), or live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For condition reports or any other questions, call tollfree 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. Online: https://www.morphyauctions.com.
