Description

Step right up and drop a nickel into this fantastic early 1950s Universal Vendors of St. Louis, Missouri gumball machine, a true time capsule from the golden age of corner-store charm. The cast metal body is painted in its original red and navy blue with wonderful honest patina and paint wear that only decades of real-world use can create, topped by a brass-toned lid stamped with the full Universal Vendors logo and a working key lock. The square glass globe sits proudly atop the base, still packed with colorful vintage-style gumballs ready for their close-up, and the chrome dispensing mechanism retains its sweet shield-shaped Thank You drop tray and 5-cent price tag. A handwritten provenance note accompanies the machine confirming its manufacturer, era, and dual-purpose use for both gumballs and nuts, making this an exceptional display piece for any serious collector of antique vending machines or mid-century Americana.

Condition

Please note all items are "as-is where-is"

Measurement

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