RAREST - 1931 Mutoscope Digger crane, 1c penny operation

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RAREST - 1931 Mutoscope Digger crane, 1c penny operation:
$9850.00

This is not only Mutoscope\'s first digger - it\'s most likely the ONLY one known to survive! THAT is what I would call \'rare\'! This is a mechanical 1c cent penny digger crane made by U.S. DIGGER MFG. CO., and assigned to William Rabkin, aka Mutoscope. (See the image of US Pat. No. 1,938,834, filed Dec. 1931, issuing from Serial No. 581610 (which appears on the label on the machine.) The patent calls it a COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. This digger is so early it isn\'t a nickel or dime machine - it\'s a penny machine! This machine was so virgin when it was found that it still had 1920s toys and beans tucked away in the corners of the underneath. Wheat back pennies and original slug were there too! All included in the sale. Even the original cash box is still there!It even includes its original stand! The digger has been repainted the blue it was found in. The aluminum and brass castings have been polished (not replated). The operation is tight and flawless! Fully operational. The photos were taken with the glass panes not installed (left side, right side, front), and the back door out. The back door and all three glass panes are included and will be installed - a photo of the back door is shown. It has the original print of a turn-of-the-century sailboat sailing into the sunset. Pretty cool. As a testament to how few were likely made, this one is stamped in several locations with serial number 35. This is what Jim Roller - THE authority on digger machines, had to say about this particular digger: Thank you very much for sharing the images and information about your new digger purchase. I enjoyed studying them because it is entirely new to me! I must say I seldom receive information about a digger I have not seen before. The earliest Mutoscope digger that I know about (at least up to now) is the \'Champion\' (Electric Traveling Crane) which is thought to be made in 1932-33, followed in 1934 by the larger, full cabinet, Electric Traveling Crane with the candy vendor . The \'Champion\' machines were in oak cabinets in two sections while the one-piece floor models that followed were in walnut wood. Your purchase seems to be earlier and quite interesting in many respects, including the cabinet which appears to be sheet metal and aluminum castings. Very interesting! And I will say something that I seldom say: it is rare! It appears that the crane boom stays in a fixed position and the claw is hand cranked down and up, while the rotating tub is aligned manually. It looks like the drop chute (slide) must also be lined-up with the hole to deliver the prize. Maybe you will let me know about all this after you become familiar with the machine and how it operates. The only other American made digger I know of that used a sheet metal cabinet is the Ad-Lee Novelty Co. Xcavator which is also obscure, with no known examples. I have heard collectors state that the sheet metal models may have deteriorated badly with rust, and tended to hit the dumps early on, but I often wonder about that speculation. Your machine seems to discount that idea. I venture to guess that neither machine was popular with operators and nether sold in significant numbers. So, I say rare! In fact very rare. If there were a comprehensive museum of coin-op then your digger certainly belongs there. With the name plate documenting a patent and the year, and the patent holder a known name I view this machine as very historical. I imagine you agree. The little novelties you found in your machine are typical of the very earliest items - not much better than Cracker Jack prizes. The late 1920s were the early formative years for digger operators and they were all trying out different methods of merchandising to entice repeat play. Often cash money, usually coins, was used as the \"favors\" (so called back then). I congratulate you again. You have acquired a very interesting, early, and unique digger which has survived in wonderful condition. I would welcome any further information you gain and would care to take the time to share. With congratulations, Jim Roller VINTAGE AMUSEMENTS The operation is best seen in this video: No shipping, but it can be picked up by North American or the like. Or you can stop by the Washington, DC area and pick it up yourself after payment. Good luck!