Beechnut vendors were a common sight in the 1950s and '60s often sited around newsagents. You received a packet of gum for an old penny and a free one on every 4th penny used. The position of an arrow on the handle would indicate when the next free packet was due.

The elaborate Arabic styling of this fine and very early vendor promotes Cadbury's chocolate as an exotic luxury while targeting the new cycling craze demand for portable energy snacks, "The Favourite Beverage for Cyclists and Tourists - Gives Strength & Vigour to the System".

The elaborate construction and "police box" style, complete with illuminating top-box, suggest a late '20s - early '30s date. The badge tells us it was made by the Caledonian Automatic Scale Co. Ltd. of Edinburgh, but unfortunately nothing is presently known about that company.

Two of these Fry’s cast iron chocolate vendors have turned up in Tasmania, which is where Cadbury and Fry’s chocolate factory was located in Australia. One of these is on public display at Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Australia but none are known in the UK. The mechanism is similar to other BAC cast iron chocolate vending machines of the period.

Like the BAC's large, metal, floor-standing 'platform' machines, this unit was rented to the shop/operator and remained the property of the Allied Chemical Co. Ltd. who were a subsidiary of BAC.

Imitating the product's packaging, this elegant, tubular design was one of BMR's earliest.