Spring Premier Auction 2013

Geez, what kind of inflation are we talking about here? We're not even sure if our time machine has taken us forward or backward, but here we are with that classic Premiere Ball Gum and Card machine and they want 2 cents rather than a mere penny as in the adjacent lot. Other than a couple of simple stylistic change of having the front top panel and bottom edge panel silver rather than the glossy cherry red; that's about the only difference between these two treasures, not counting the cards in the display. And so two shiny pennies, appropriately inserted into this glossy red baseball card vending machine could get you any manner of vintage or modern baseball card of your desire, and all you have to do is put them in the machine beforehand. And you'll get a bubble gum ball, too. Baby boomers will remember this 13-by-5-inch beauty (and 13 inches tall) from grocery store or soda fountain counter tops. This is in marvelous condition, completely restored to Mint condition, and seems to be in perfect working order as well. The weights are included that are used to put on top of the two columns of cards from each side and ensure that a card is pushed out each time; the keys that open both the top and the money box on the back are provided and are in likewise working order. Three 4-by-6-inch glass panes are provided; four cards designed in the style of 1955 Topps are featured and it's a pretty impressive group by any standard: Stan Musial, Herb Score, Whitey Ford and Bob Feller. It matters not a whit that they aren't "real" 1955 Topps cards: they are the "Missing Cards" that weren't included back then, cards created by Topps a half-century later and given out by Topps as a premium at the 2006 National Sports Collectors Convention. If you're too squeamish to put actual 1950's Topps cards inside, a handsome stack of their popular Heritage or Archives cards from modern day will work quite nicely. A handful of pennies and about half of the window’s-worth of gumballs are provided. The pristine decal on the window says “Premiere Ball Gum and Card – 2 Cents.” There’s nothing more to add.