Comments on: Caille Eclipse Upright Antique Slot Machine

By: John Werry

John Werry — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:14:11 +0000

I’d have to see photos of it to be able to help. Can you send them to me?

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:41:13 +0000

Hello,

I was online and saw your great display and site. I was wondering if might be able to direct me please to someone (possibly you) who can give me a manufacturer and full details of the gambling wheel called a “Bee Hive” please? I located a version of it in the 1911 booklet Protection. It tells a little of the presentation, but not what the gimmick does. I have a friend who has one that has a “button” located in the center of one of the sides of the Bee Hive base frame. I can push the button with my thumb and it does sound like it is moving something in the center (most likely, displacing a steel ball to another place) where the ball drops down before leaving the nest of the hive. This unit has places where the money is slipped in clips. Possibly, the hold button stops the ball from going to where the big money is or alters its course. I just don’t know if it needs to be pushed in to do this or left out until you want to make the stop. I would lean toward having it pushed in until you want the person to win. The unit comes with four 1/2″ steel balls.

I figured you would be the best person to ask since you have been surrounded by these great ideas of the past.

I appreciate any assistance for locating the instructions for the Bee Hive. Also, if there is any record of who manufactured the items too.

Thank you in advance,

Gary

By: RareVictorian

RareVictorian — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:55:56 +0000

Jeff, thanks for the tip and welcome to the site. Some day when I hit it big on Blackjack in Vegas I’ll go down the street and buy one of these!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:58:12 +0000

My primary interest is upright slot machines of this vintage, the Victorian furniture I have is just to highlight them! The best place to pick these up is at Peter Sidlow’s “Victorian Casino Antiques Auction” held twice a year in Las Vegas. They are pricey, but beautiful and fun.

By: RareVictorian

RareVictorian — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:22:48 +0000

Yeah, governmentauction.com has a habit of putting an outsized range on what I’ve seen from them in past.

By: woodwright

woodwright — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:46:50 +0000

Very nice. It sold for $18,900.00 (+BP) – significantly less than it’s estimate. I know old slot machines are highly collectible and can bring big money. woodwright

By: RareVictorian

RareVictorian — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:01:34 +0000

Nope, 1999. http://flickr.com/photos/67005936@N00/sets/72157607471522286

Don’t use it enough to warrant having it.

Only getting about 1/3 of what I paid for all of it, though. Massive depreciation is part of the reason I now buy antique furniture…

By: james conrad

james conrad — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:58:38 +0000

” I’m in the process of selling my ca. 1999 pool table ”

You mean 1899?