Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

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doofus
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Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by doofus »

A friend in the States has purchased this robot fortune teller but he has no knowledge of its history I wonder if anyone can shed light on it.
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badpenny
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Re: Robot Fortune Teller

Post by badpenny »

Worryingly all I can concern myself with is........ Do you stand facing it or sit in it?
Either way you stand to lose more than your concentration.
pennymachines
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Re: Robot Fortune Teller

Post by pennymachines »

Interesting find.
My guess is that this was produced by one of John George Brenner's companies (active from the '30s-'50s), such as Original Machine Manufacturers Ltd. of Southend. Does it have any markings on it? J Brenner built a number of metal-constructed, floor-standing, fortune tellers in various 'future-science' guises. Comparing the card vending mech to that of a known Brenner machine might confirm this.

Edit to add: Consulting Arcades & Slot Machines, I see Original Machine Manufacturers Ltd. made a fortune teller called Robot King in 1935.
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john t peterson
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Re: Magic Robot Impressionist

Post by john t peterson »

What a fabulous piece of whimsy. See if your friend can supply more pictures for us including close-up shots of the card mechanism.
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slotalot
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Re: Magic Robot Impressionist

Post by slotalot »

It looks to me as if the cards were dispensed from a roll :!?!: would love to know more !!THUMBSX2!!
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Re: Magic Robot Impressionist

Post by pennymachines »

That's another reason Brenner comes to mind. I once owned a Brenner White Magic fortune teller. From memory, it had a similar step-in metal box cabinet with vertical grip poles and a paper roll-dispensing mechanism. I still have the roll.

Edit to add old Poloaroid of Brenner White Magic.
Notice the identical lower half with swing out access panel and card dispensing aperture.
White Magic dates from 1946. I think the Magic Robot is a bit earlier.
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slotalot
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Re: Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by slotalot »

I have just re-found this old photo that I got from the back of the internet at some time or other. Thought to be on Blackpool prom,1939...ish??? :!?!:
Not sure of maker !PUZZLED!
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badpenny
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Re: Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by badpenny »

Hasn't aged ..........
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pennymachines
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Re: Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by pennymachines »

This one was telling fortunes in Selfridges, London around 1934.
robot-fortune-teller.jpg

They used to draw a crowd, didn't they?
cheeky
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Re: Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by cheeky »

They used to have one of these in the Wonderland arcade in Southend.

I spoke to the new owner about 5 years ago who binned it! !PUZZLED!
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Re: Brenner Magic Robot Impressionist identified

Post by pennymachines »

It will be interesting to see how he does at Morphy Auctions on Saturday 14th with all the other tin robots. Estimate $5,000 - $10,000.
I see the vendor has gone with the Original Machine Manufacturers attribution.
Magic-Robot.jpg

Edit on 28th to add - item not sold...
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