Circus model supplied by Shefras

[kris]

Hello.

If you're saying there was a cover over the viewing window, then I suspect this would have only been for protection during transit. This sort of machine didn't usually have a front door for everyday use.

Not even a glass?? They were open and exposed??

Here is the working model we discussed. Not the same as yours as far as being silhouettes backlit or in operation but the crank handle at the front rotates each of the scenes in turn and as they change the floor vibrates and the figures move realistically.

Thanks for the example.
The fact that the background is painted, resembles the machine I am working on. In "my" machine the material used for the background painting is tempera colors. Is it the same in this case too??? Can you recognise the material used for the painting??

Yes, clearly a play token, yet another use for them, I've seen them as washers, weights on bandit clocks, spacers and .........tokens! I'm going to suggest he removes the token to see the reverse side, Shafras had their name on the reverse but it's just possible its pre Shafras and might shed some light on the earlier machine (but I doubt it)

As I have send you, I reversed the token, and it only repeats what is written on the first side: "GOOD TO PLAY FREE ON MACHINE". If a signature of Shefras on the one side of the tokens is a rule, then the absence of it indicates that there truly is a pre "Shefras" Circus period. Also could you send an example of such a token, with Shefras's signature in the one side??

There must be a record of this machine somewhere. The artwork is clearly British (note the church and house in the background). I will ask the guy for photos of the mech.

What kind of records could these be??
k

Thanks

Love and peace all around

[daleman]

This device is certainly something that started life as a domestic/ entertainment device long before Shefras was active. It would have been converted to coin op most likely in the late 1940s, early '50s, when the manufacture of new machines was prohibited by law other than those for export. Another example we have encountered from that period is an electrically operated singing bird from the late 1800s - converted from clockwork and put in a new 1940s case.

[pennymachines]

If a signature of Shefras on the one side of the tokens is a rule, then the absence of it indicates that there truly is a pre "Shefras" Circus period. Also could you send an example of such a token, with Shefras's signature in the one side??

I don't think much can be deduced from that token. It was probably applied after purchase as a key number tag, from whatever the operator had to hand. Many companies made payout tokens. Shefras Tivoli tokens had their name on one side.

[coppinpr]

It would have been converted to coin op most likely in the late 1940s, early '50s

Certainly later than 1951, as the distributer's plate on the machine dates from 1951 onwards.

[moonriver]

This device is certainly something that started life as a domestic/ entertainment device long before Shefras was active. It would have been converted to coin op most likely in the late 1940s, early '50s, when the manufacture of new machines was prohibited by law other than those for export. Another example we have encountered from that period is an electrically operated singing bird from the late 1800s - converted from clockwork and put in a new 1940s case.

When I look at the images it doesn't look to me like it has been an earlier automata that has been re-cased. The construction of the rotating base and everything surrounding it, including the circus tent, all of the surrounding brackets and motor and gearing supports are all in the same style and plywood and seem to have been constructed as one. The model appears to be built integrated into the cabinet rather than something much older just slid inside. There also doesn't seem to be any additions from original, (apart from the obvious recent lighting).
The age, construction and design of the mechanism is reminiscent of a 1940s Snow White prize box vender (similar to Treasure Cave) I have, and there are many similarities in the style of construction, the location of the motor and gearing to this one, as likely to be of similar age.

[kris]

Here is the working model we discussed. Not the same as yours as far as being silhouettes backlit or in operation but the crank handle at the front rotates each of the scenes in turn and as they change the floor vibrates and the figures move realistically.

Hello, do you know who is the manufacturer or the time it was made??

When I look at the images it doesn't look to me like it has been an earlier automata that has been re-cased. The construction of the rotating base and everything surrounding it, including the circus tent, all of the surrounding brackets and motor and gearing supports are all in the same style and plywood and seem to have been constructed as one. The model appears to be built integrated into the cabinet rather than something much older just slid inside. There also doesn't seem to be any additions from original, ( apart from the obvious recent lighting).
The age, construction and design of the mechanism is reminiscent of a 1940's Snow White prize box vender (similar to Treasure Cave) I have, and there are many similarities in the style of construction, the location of the motor and gearing to this one, as likely to be of similar age.

The things that make us suggest that the circus must be of an earlier era are:
1. The fact that there were two materials used. The cabinet is basicaly made out of mahogany. Mahogany is a exellent wood why didn't they use it also for making the inserted circus and they chose to make it out of spruse??
2. there are some holes possibly made out of nails that don't mach the cabinet. They seem to be present to the circus but don't seen to continue to the cabinet if this cabinet was its original.
3. there are also some nails that seem to have no reason to be there. They make us wonder whether the fabric is the original material to project the shadows or the original matterial was something else like paper.

The "Shefras" carpenters seem to have done a good job on making a nice fitting cabinet.
i will try to upload some fotos to show all these
k

[kris]

3. There is missing the motor that was used to move the mechanism. What kind of motor could the original be?

Probably a crane motor with combined gearing, similar to this one from Dumore:

Hello, the trace left on the wood seem to match the shape of this motor. The "Dumore" motor and the "Essex" coin slider are both made in US.
Can you estimate the time the "Dumore" motor was used in the UK? Perhaps this information can help estimate the time of the pre Shefras period.
k

[coppinpr]

Yes the unit would have had a glass top front for sure.

The Essex coin slide was (and still is) made in East London, UK.

The Dunmore motor may well have been used by Shefras or one of several similar motors (many had a similar footprint) being used for slot machines at the time. The motor is quite likely (in fact most likely) to have been previously used in an earlier machine (not your circus) perhaps a coin op crane?

[kris]

hello, there is the word "OBIE" inciced at the front view wood twice. Does anyone know what could this be? There is a reference that connects it to the students at Oberlin College...??

[pennymachines]

Is it on the inside or outside of the case?
If outside, it's most likely random graffiti by a bored teenager.

Can you estimate the time the "Dumore" motor was used in the UK?

Like Essex, Dumore is still in business.
That motor was made after 1929 when they changed name from Wisconsin Electric Co. to Dumore Co., and before 1957, when they became Dumore Corp. See vintagemachinery.org
The digger craze took off in the early 1930s, and most of these motors date from that period, although they remained in use for many years after, frequently finding post-war use driving coin-op working models.

[moonriver]

Hi kris and welcome to Pennymachines.co.uk, it's great to have you here.

My question is different.
What do you know about its past?
Where was it before it came to you?
Do people remember it from years ago, or did it suddenly appear at your museum with little history?
Thanks

BP

BP asked some valid and interesting questions. Can you address these please kris?

[kris]

Hello, sorry it took me so long to answer but I had to ask first.
This working model was bought by one of the founders of the Greek Film Archive from London during the '60s. It was bought along with other items of the collection from flea markets of the time such as The Portobello flea market.

Also, I am sending some photos of the machine while working and one that shows one of the nail holes on the circus wood (pre-Shefras period) that don’t “continue/match” to the Shefras’s-period cabinet wood.
And there is another photo that shows pair of nails that seem to have no functional use now. Another indication that the machine had two phases of use.
love and peace all around
k

[kris]

This device is certainly something that started life as a domestic/ entertainment device long before Shefras was active. It would have been converted to coin op most likely in the late 1940s, early '50s, when the manufacture of new machines was prohibited by law other than those for export. Another example we have encountered from that period is an electrically operated singing bird from the late 1800s - converted from clockwork and put in a new 1940s case.

Dear daleman, hello,
You sound like you can help me find information about the pre-Shefras period.
The reseach about the "circus-era" tends to leave the field of slot machines and approach the world of old toys.
I have already mentioned that there were found in the circus, while restoring, three arms that seem to belong to similar figures to those of the circus but not of this circus. They are smaller and made out of paper.
I believe that the shape of the figures could lead to a manufacturer or to other toys made by the same person.
In case you wish to help and need more specific photos please ask.
Thank you
k

[kris]

hello,
does anyone know what the number 6138 is on the Shefras plate??
thank you

[tallstory]

Phone number? You could always dial it to check

[kris]

...let's hope he will answer...

[daleman]

Hello Kris, yes put up the paper images. Our feeling is that the original device dates from the early 1900s.

[coppinpr]

just to be clear Kris, UK phone dial looked like the one pictured below at the time and phone numbers were divided into three letters (the local area exchange depot) and 4 numbers(the phone line owners number at the exchange. You dialled the three letters first (in this case BIS (which stood for the Bishopsgate exchange) then the number 6138.
If you are old enough in the UK you never forget your old exchange code no matter how old you get, my home exchange was DER (Derwent) and my work exchange was MIT (Mitcham) In fact my work number is one of the longest continuous single contract registered numbers in the UK and even now the MIT is still part of the phone number although now of course its 648 not MIT

[kris]

Hello, now I understand.
Thank you.

[pennymachines]

Inspiration for the circus model, perhaps?
In Morphy's forthcoming sale:

Whimsical carousel music box made by Bornand Freres in Ste. Croix, Switzerland, C. 1885. This Instrument uses a double mainspring 8" cylinder movement playing eight popular tunes to turn the carousel horses, gondolas, has the monkey crank the carousel organ and moves the two musicians as they play their instruments. A wonderful example of an early music box automata, with a great look and aged patina. Dimensions: 26" x 17 - 1/4" x 37".