Canova Drunkard's Dream identified

[max123]

Hello. Does anyone know what this is?

[pennymachines]

This one is depicted on page 61 of Darren Hesketh's Penny-in-the-Slot Automata and attributed to Canova c. 1920.

The gravestone inscriptions read:

IN
LOVING MEMORY
OF A YOUNG MAN
FROM YORK, WHO
NEVER CEASED PULLING
OUT CORKS. HE
IS NOW UNDER
HERE LIKE A
CORPSE


HERE LIES LIZZIE THE LASS
WHOSE HOBBY WAS TIPPING
THE GLASS
SHE KNOCKED DOWN SO MANY
AND SPENT HER LAST PENNY
SO NOW, SHE IS UNDER THE
GRASS!

[max123]

Thank you very much for identifying! Is this model rare?

[pennymachines]

Working models in general are quite rare as they were manufactured in relatively small numbers. Bolland were the most prolific, followed by Kraft. Dennison and Lee models tend to be one-offs (single version of each theme). Canova made multiples of several themes, but on a small scale, so they are indeed rare. Vincent Canova's company was based in Birmingham and William Thompson assisted him. The distinctive top sign on this model resembles the marquees atop fortune tellers (e.g. Crystal Gazer) made by Thompson's Coin Operating Company (also of Birmingham).

[daleman]

If you are interested in learning more about the lives of the earliest model makers check out Nic Costa's book. Lee in particular was quite a character!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Conceiving ... 9925796628

[moonriver]

I sent you a pvt message max

[sweetmeats]

This is a Canova case. The top is definitely not, nor is the medallion on the front. How much of the model is original is open to question as the late Cliff Mills "refurbished" it in the 1970s. I have photos bought from him showing him working on this and another Canova. I will try to find them and post. The model seems to have taken inspiration from Bollands 1950s model.

[max123]

Interesting information! Thanks! Perhaps you could post a photo here?

Gameplay



Does anyone have a photo of the page in the book? (page 61 of Darren Hesketh's Penny-in-the-Slot Automata)

[pennymachines]

This is a Canova case. The top is definitely not, nor is the medallion on the front.

I understand the model above is not in the UK. The one depicted in Darren's book (below) was located at Edwardian Seaside Fun, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool when the picture was taken. It has the same medallion (the marquee isn't shown). Is this the same example?

The model seems to have taken inspiration from Bollands 1950s model.

As Canova died in 1928, I guess you're saying this is pure Cliff Mills...

PITSA-61.jpg (241.08 KiB) Viewed 877 times

[pennymachines]

Some clarification from sweetmeats: old photos show that Cliff Mills worked on this machine, possibly in the 1980s or later. He may have touched up the artwork, added the top sign and medallion, and replaced a missing coin slot with a Bollands-style slot (Canova slot shown below), but otherwise the original model has survived the ages. It seems likely therefore, it was christened 'Drunkard's Dream' by Mr Mills, (in reference presumably to the drunkards' gravestones). The haunted churchyard theme no doubt inspired Bolland and Kraft. It would appear this is the exact machine in Darren's book, now transported to a distant land.