COMIC VEND, INC. 12¢ 1960s COMIC BOOK VENDING MACHINE #10 WITH ORIGINAL SHIPPING CARTON.
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Item Description
32.5" wide by 58.25" tall pressed steel vending cabinet w/two panels of safety glass allowing for viewing/selecting from 10 different comic books bays. Cabinet has overall depth of 13". Comics were paid for via individual push/pull levers by each row w/two slots for dime and two pennies as the machines were hard coded at 12¢, w/printed text on front of machine by each lever labeled "10¢" and "2¢" w/arrows pointing to each respective coin slot. Produced in limited quantities by Comic Vend, Inc. of River Grove, IL c. 1966, these vending machines worked similarly to food vending machines of today and only saw limited release in the American Midwest beginning in 1966, primarily in bus and train stations or in department stores that weren't equipped to deal w/comic book racks. Noted as #10, this model number refers to the amount comic bays in the machine. Instructions for use are printed at top left corner on machine, noting five steps to procure comic of your choice; "No. 1 Select Comic, No. 2 Insert Coins, No. 3 Push-Pull To Release Comic, No. 4 Receive Comic At Bottom" and ends w/important consumer warning, "No. 5 Do Not Insert Coins At Empty Slot." Upper left corner bears the Comics Code Authority seal. Because these machines were hard coded at 12¢, when comic prices rose to 15¢ in 1969, the majority of these machines were scrapped (though at least one example was repurposed to accommodate the new 15¢ price), resulting in only a handful known to have survived. This example comes w/original shipping carton marked "From - Comic Vend Inc. 8538 W Grand Ave. River Grove Ill." return address and "To - Scherer News Co 63 Grand Trunk Ave. Battle Creek Mich." recipient address. Shipping carton shows moderate wear as stored over the decades and has scattered surface punctures and rubs/dust soiling. Top of carton has moderate soiling as stored. Carton is Fine overall. Machine remained sealed in this shipping carton until it arrived here at Hake's, whereupon it was removed for inspection, photography and cataloging. As such, the unused machine offered here remains in high grade condition and shows just lt. wear where surface rubbed against cardboard; mainly affecting back of machine. Some scattered lt. aging to large "Comic Books 12¢" text at top of machine front, but not distracting and still displays Exc. As nice as they come and an amazing display piece for any comic collector. This rare display comes w/original sealed envelope containing keys to open display. Due to the size and/or weight of this item, packing and shipping must be done by a third party. Please contact us w/any shipping rate inquiries prior to close of auction. Item can also be picked up in person if so desired.
Proceeds from the auction of this item will go to the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation (GDHF) - a charity that promotes a culture of heroic virtues in the youth of today by utilizing a unique collection of superhero memorabilia from yesteryear, a collection assembled over a 50 year period w/a focus on the Silver and Bronze Age (1960s-1980s). Using superheroes of these eras as shining examples, GDHF fosters a spirit of virtue among children, instilling a heroic mindset and cultivating stoic habits of character to improve personal success and a healthy society.
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