FORUM

Have been watching this for a few days and it looks a bit home made and poor quality 'put together and aged'?

It's a fake.

I'm pretty sure that same seller had a Pace machine on ebay last week that was removed? (It had reached £400 or so before it got pulled). They may have more machines for sale, if you haven't already contacted them.

GP

You guys must be looking at something else? Because the link BP posted is a nice early machine, can only see a few modern screws in the hinge that are wrong, otherwise a very honest and lovely old machine!!!

No not that one BP, but the one with a couple of days left to run listed by blossom 72, Under 'Coin Operated Fortune Telling Machine'. The machine was very recently for sale on the vintagearcades.co.uk site.

It looks 'created for sale' to me as nothing seems to fit or be made very well and has a cobbled together look.

Ah, that's better, well ...worse actually! I see what you mean. There is a lot of dodgy looking marks all over that case that just don't look right at all. Looks like someone used a round dremel grinder to try and age it? And what are those bunch of drill holes on the left side all about? Some kind of lame attempt at worm holes? Sketchy to say the least.

Yes, that's exactly what I thought and then seems to have been all painted over with stain. Patina is a hard look to replicate.

I discussed this with another forum member last week and came to the same conclusion:

pennymachines wrote:Wow that is crude - also something very fishy about the case - stained PINE? Don't believe it for a machine of this supposed period. Look at the marks of distress - a hammer has been smacked against the side for no apparent reason, lots of little marks with smaller implements and little holes dug in the side, edges deliberately chiselled off mouldings, improbable wriggly scratches, new screws to hinges - all smack of low-grade fakery to me. Probably all worked up from a card vending mech and a photograph.

Even the instructions look like a Photoshop mock up of what should be an enamel sign.

The best part is they didn't get the wording right for that front sign. Should say "What fortune HAS in store for you" But because the original machine has rubbing where the "h" is they thought it was a "w", which doesn't make much sense, "What fortune was in store for you"? Haha, classic.

Quod Erat Demonstrandum!

I'd forgotten the doll in a box thing after the first time I saw it.

I thought OP was referring to the one in the photo I posted, then being a git I was content to watch it quietly especially if everyone was convincing themselves it was a crude home built piece of tat.

Mind you I'd like to know if the picture of the Gypsy is a photocopy.

Bad Badpenny

It is interesting to note if you scroll down the listing the two 'messages' asking " will you accept 550 pounds now?" and the other reply, "several antique dealers have looked at this and cant understand why its started so low".

badpenny wrote:Mind you I'd like to know if the picture of the Gypsy is a photocopy.

Bad Badpenny

Should it not be a picture printed onto a mirror?

bryans fan wrote:Should it not be a picture printed onto a mirror?

Would that have been Silk Screen printed or Etched ..... either of which would be more acceptable than a photocopy.

moonriver wrote:It is interesting to note if you scroll down the listing the two 'messages' asking " will you accept 550 pounds now?" and the other reply " several antique dealers have looked at this and cant understand why its started so low"

Antique Dealers are famous for walking away from bargains muttering "that's far too cheap" and "I'm not buying that unless he doubles the price at least!"
In fact it's not just them, I've noticed this with most self employed people trying to make a living buying and selling. I was once given a right earful by a used car salesman because I had the audacity to offer him exactly what he was asking for a Vauxhall Astra with cloth seats. He considered my methods an insult and insisted that unless I offer £200 less he'd bar me.

BP

I prophesize weeping and gnashing of teeth on Thursday if someone pays £300 or more for this.

I love it!

It would certainly be ace if the first card out said that.

BP

I've seen the first card - it read, "Thursday brings great glee, riches and a touch of remorse".

Am I right in thinking the seller also makes replica machines and runs the vintage website vintagearcades.co.uk? .......... or is that just a coincidence