AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE & SPECTACULAR “YALE WONDER CLOCK”.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to purchase a “fresh to the market” coin-operated machine that not only appeals to music box collectors or collectors of gambling machines but to anyone who wants to own the best of the best. Only on rare occasions does a machine of this magnitude become available to a prospective buyer, with most collectors not even placing a machine of this nature on their “Wish List” as they feel it is an unattainable desire. Only a handful of these Yale Wonder Clocks survived over the years and there are several different versions. This example was manufactured in the first part of the 20th century in Burlington, Vermont by Charles Yale. Comparing the few that have survived over the past 100 years this example is perhaps one of the most visually appealing versions as well as one with an low serial number 523. Contained within a quartered oak case is a 15 1/2" Regina disc player as well as the gambling aspect: a spinning arrow that would stop at various locations on the reverse painted glass with numbers from 000 to 999. Originally designed to navigate around the gambling aspect, the player was supposedly purchasing a tune from the Regina player and the gambling aspect was thrown in as a bonus. Another intriguing addition is the revolving display in the front of the machine. This device was used for advertising purposes with which local merchants would advertise their business. This example does not include any of the advertising that would have been used in the center and does not appear to have an operating advertising component. The mechanism is mechanical in nature as well as also being run with dry cell batteries for operation of the lighting. A clock by New Haven Clock Company, flashing lights, various token awards, a spinning arrow, music, advertising, Charles Yale included it all. Always a winner, a token was always dispensed with every play, the only variable being the quote “trade value” of the token. The “hidden” gambling aspect was always present, the total of your number that the arrow stopped on (#256 really meant 2+5+6=13) was awarded accordingly to the merchant and the value he would place on the number you achieved. Obviously a high number or a low number had the greatest value, much harder to achieve these results. Original manufacturing plaque is attached at the center above the disc changer. It reads “The Yale Wonder Clock Burlington, VT. No. 523 Pat’d April 10,1900”. To see more about the Yale Wonder Clock please see David Bowers wonderful article in the Musical Box Society Mechanical Music, Vol. 53, No. 3. Condition shows an older restoration with many components kept original. Mechanism is functional and appears to be intact and complete including the electrical wires running from the clock to the lights. An amazing piece of human ingenuity. With keys. This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made. Condition: (Very Good). Dimensions: 84 - 1/4" x 31- 3/4" x 17 - 1/2".