MILLS 5-CENT MUSICAL UPRIGHT DEWEY. Patented in 1898, the Dewey was produced by Mills for 20-plus years. Truly one of the most mechanically reliable and attractive of the Mills upright slot machines. A nickel, or up to six nickels, could be played, and if all six slots were selected you were guaranteed a winner; rewards would be anywhere from ten cents to two dollars. This is an earlier version with a paneled quarter-sawn oak cabinet and nickel-plated castings including a plaque stating “MUSICAL CABINET” and a large fanciful frame for viewing the music box. Music was an added feature for these gambling machines, in the hope that the operator could circumvent gambling laws by declaring that the player was actually listening/buying a musical tune. In regards to the music, there are eight tunes and the music box could be set to repeat or alternate different tunes. The music box itself is in need of tuning and has three adjacent missing teeth. The lithographed tin wheel is more aesthetically pleasing than the normal wheel found on Deweys; this particular wheel is known as the “pie wedge” wheel. Original glass with mirror & reverse-painted American shield and inset of Admiral Dewey is overall in very good condition with some flaking. A very impressive and attractive gambling machine, appealing not only to collectors of coin-operated machines but to other collectors as well. SIZE: 66″ h. x 29″ w. x 18″ d. CONDITION: Overall very nice plus with restored oak cabinet and iron castings, music box possibly not original to machine and does not have customary wooden music box platform/enclosure. 1-10314 (20,000-25,000)

Green Mills Dewey Upright Slot Machine

This specific machine and the Mills Novelty Dewey slot machine in general. In the fall of 1899 Mills Novelty of Chicago, IL introduced two 6-way slot machines, one called the Chicago and one the Dewey. Both of these machines allowed the player to bet on 6 different colors, hence the name. The Dewey upright was produced by the Mills Company for 20 years and became the trademark for coin-op machines. This machine is probably of later vintage 'late teens early twenties.' With extra fancy castings featuring lion head legs, owl head handles and decorative ladies and dog heads. MILLS '2 BIT' DEWEY UPRIGHT SLOT MACHINE. Often the lay person has the misconception that these early gambling machines were from the 1870s, unaware that they were not patented until 1898 or thereabouts. The Mills Dewey was most likely the most prolific and widely used of any of these large 'color wheel' gambling machines. Dewey Nickel Slot Machine Upright Floor Model by Mills. Features portrait of Spanish American war hero Admiral George Dewey. Has been fully restored approx. Oak case with copper trim. Approx measurements 66' tall x 28 1/2' wide x 17 1/2 deep. Patented in 1898, the Dewey was produced by Mills for 20-plus years. Truly one of the most mechanically reliable and attractive of the Mills upright slot machines. A nickel, or up to six nickels, could be played, and if all six slots were selected you were guaranteed a winner; rewards would be anywhere from ten cents to two dollars.

Auction: Advertising, Toy & Doll - Spring 2010Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium

Dewey Upright Slot Machine

, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Description

MILLS '2 BIT' DEWEY UPRIGHT SLOT MACHINE. Often the lay person has the misconception that these early gambling machines were from the 1870s, unaware that they were not patented until 1898 or thereabouts. The Mills Dewey was most likely the most prolific and widely used of any of these large 'color wheel' gambling machines. A player (or for that matter several players) could pick and choose a color up to six different colors with respective payouts according to rarity of the said color on the wheel. The nickel plated castings enhance the already impressive quarter-sawn oak cabinetry and reverse painted glass front plate. A more desirable 25¢ play further adds to the appeal of this classic gambling device. These machines were heavily used up into the 1920s but by then the 'three reel' slot machine had taken over and was far more effective in draining the player of his hard earned cash!! A true piece of Americana that fits right into any game room! SIZE: 26' w x 68' h x 15' d. CONDITION: Overall very fine restored condition, replacement marquee and reverse glass. 1-8926 (25,000-28,000)