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As I understand it you only pay VAT on the commission. So 15% + 3% Saleroom commission (or whatever) = 18% on the hammer, then VAT on that figure. ie if the hammer price is £1000, you would pay £180 commission, and then VAT on that, so £36, for a total payment of £1216. If the overall commission wer...

Some very handsome prices achieved by the Wonders machines, (the power of Saleroom.com ?) - and then there is the cost of collection, new keys and the hours spent on the restoration they are crying out for. Afterwards however you will have some lovely machines as they appeared untouched by human col...

The technical issues were unfortunate, but in no way catastrophic, and are unlikely to be repeated. The system works well, but for complete success you do need to view the goods, as indeed with any auction. The upside is that you can bid in the warm with tea on hand, which is a bonus when there are ...

Yep, me too?

I have bought 2 or 3 items via Collector Corner and have always found Steve easy to message, always replied, and as far as I'm concerned he runs an efficient little business for very little reward it seems. Were that there were more people with his initiative, drive and interest. But there are aren't!

Can't you just take it to a competent locksmith? Mine charged me £20 to pick a couple of similar locks on an Allwin, and then £30 to make two pairs of keys. No way you want to start drilling into the metalwork?

It is always interesting when an auction such as this occurs, (irrespective of what the collectables are) whereby prices realised go much higher than that which has previously been considered to be the norm. The 'old heads' immediately express surprise and amazement and condemn the prices as ridicul...

I can't see what the issues are with this new 'system' of buying. You see a machine you like; you go and see it, or take a chance on its condition being as you expected. You then decide what it's worth to YOU, and you leave the appropriate bid. You then either get it or you don't. The fact that the ...

Were the 1930s BMCo Allwin (e.g. 'The Favourite' - 'Little Mickey' - 'The Little Wonder' etc.) machines always fitted with the top glass fronted plinth denoting the name of the machine, or were some manufactured without?

Thanks.

Many thanks to both, very useful. I shall endeavour to find a suitable varnish with perhaps a low satin sheen. Don't think they should be in any way glossy'.

Hi.
I am currently restoring a 1930s BMCo 'The Favourite' allwin. Does anyone know whether the original finish to the oak cabinet was a simple waxed one, or some kind of satin lacquer or varnish?

Thanks.

This background information to any particular Bryan's machine I would find hugely interesting to have - to know the provenance of a machine would add much to its general value and desirability I think. I would be happy to pay between £5 - £10 per machine for the relevant info, perhaps with a discoun...

The Canterbury Payramid has a number of 998 - does that tell us anything about quantities made generally? According to Braithwaite's book a total of 1003 Payramids were made, which seems to dovetail quite neatly with the apparent production date of No.998 - almost too neatly!? For those who are not...

Interesting. I wonder how many 'modern' machines of the various types Jim Bryan made in those later years? How much did your Payramid cost back then if you don't mind telling? If you do no worries! The Canterbury Payramid has a number of 998 - does that tell us anything about quantities made general...

If the Payramid was made as recently as the 1980s/'90s then presumably it would have been produced in order to sell directly to a collector, as opposed to a showman, who clearly would have had no interest in it, particularly as it operates using the traditional old penny? Perhaps this explains the m...

Many thanks for the clarification. I'll have a look at mine and see if the 'mechanism' can easily be separated from the case. I suspect not that easily as there is a cast strut across the centre of the works which is screwed to the inside of one of the rear 'planks'. As such would need to remove tha...

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Would anyone know how it is possible to refill the copper tube of tokens on a c.1912 Improved Pickwick ball catcher please? It seems sealed all the way through, and no access at the top as it is tight against the plinth?
Thanks in anticipation.

Wow, that Strike 'Em for £2,200! Yes a serious sum for a 1960s Whales, BUT how many of this particular large allwin were produced, AND how many remain in this untouched condition? Judging by the commission bids allegedly left, of 1050, 1500 and 1650, at least three people think that the 'Strike 'Em...

WANTED by new collector - The following 'Wonders' penny machines in very good original condition, or better: Basket Ball Big Wheel Bonus Boomerang Game Shot Gone Fishin' Helter Skelter Honest Joe Kum Fishing Lido Net Ball Patsy Fun Fair Pot a Ball Pot Luck Quick Returns Rally Ball Ringla Ski Jump Sn...

I also collect old guns and model motor racing cars (Scalextric). Both interests involve swapmeets at regular intervals somewhere in the country, often Birmingham, the National motorcycle museum being popular, for example. The ESSENTIAL ingredient in making these events successful is that collectors...