Sotheby's 1975 Coin-op Auction clip

[gameswat]

I'd never seen this so possibly it's not been listed here before? A young David Battie of Antiques Roadshow fame on the hammer and some nice British machines on display. Be interesting to know if any machines are recognised by the current owners!?


https://www.facebook.com/BBCArchive/vid ... 372887134/

[badpenny]

£6K back then equals £35+K today.

[pennymachines]

I have a Bolland 3D Viewer which looks like the one in the clip. It came (indirectly) from the late Jon Gresham, who maybe bought it at this sale. Then again, the one Bob recently posted from a collection in Australia (below) looks similar too.

The rare Bolland Rolling Road might be this one in the Museum.

[coin-op]

I did wonder if the gentleman featured playing a couple of machines is John Gresham.

[pennymachines]

Don't think that was Jon, but I bet he was there. He was stouter, dressed like a showman (sometime fire-eating - escapologist - magician) and usually wore a bowler.

[coin-op]

Here's one of John from the back and without a bowler. This is what raised my suspicions that it might have been John in the BBC film. Incidentally, did you get a PM from me a week or so back. Endeavoured to send you one, but unsure if I was successful.

[pennymachines]

What sale was that?

No - I didn't get your PM - that's odd.
My email's been on the blink all day but working again now.

[coin-op]

What sale was that?

It wasn't from a sale. Will try the PM again.

[sweetmeats]

This sale was the first held by a London auction house and included forty eight machines from the late John Carter's collection sold to finance the purchase of his gallopers I understand. I have a copy of the auction catalogue with the prices realised - remember in those days NO BUYER'S PREMIUM! Prices include Rolling Road £30, Bran Tub £18, Bolland's models from £130 to £190, Ahrens English execution £200. Other vender's lots included three Mills upright roulette wheel machines sold for £50, £130 and £130! A copy of this cat. and results has been sent to penny machines so will shortly appear elsewhere on this site.

[pennymachines]

Thanks for the catalogue Sweetmeats (I've added a year Arena subs to your account).
Sotheby's Belgravia, Amusement Machines: April 1975

[john t peterson]

I went through a whole box of tissues reading the descriptions and the prices realized.

J Peterson
Awaiting my time machine in America