Mills Silver Cup slot machine to see $50,000 at Americana auction

On April 13-14 in Michigan, a local auction house will offer three outstanding collections of antiques, advertising memorabilia and Americana, highlighted by a Mill Silver Cup slot machine.

Mills Silver Cup slot machine
The slot machine was made circa 1911 and remains in fantastic working condition



The circa 1911 trade simulator slot machine will be offered with a $30,000-50,000 estimate. It is in magnificent condition for its age, and is one of only four known to exist.

A full set of War Eagle slot machines with various denominations will follow, valued at $10,000-15,000.

Sharing this estimate is a spectacular saloon back bar, which stands at an impressive 12 ?� by 9 ?� feet and boasts a high relief trim, bevelled mirrors, marble top, slag glass cameos and original lights. The sale features many other turn of the century store fittings, including a bank wall with teller window and a soda fountain front and back bar.

Saloon back bar
The saloon back bar is accompanied by many other period store fittings



The top bids in the sale are expected from a cigar store Indian, possibly carved by Thomas Brooks in the 1880s. This example is in good condition with much of the original paint intact, and is valued at $50,000-75,000.

Cigar store Indians, which would have once stood as advertisements outside tobacconists, are extremely popular collector's items. In April 2012, an example carved by one of the most renowned artists in the field, Samuel Robb, sold for $94,400.

Also featuring among the advertising memorabilia on sale is a rare Campbell's Soup embossed tin sign that is considered one of the most desirable in both advertising and folk art collecting. With some nail holes around the perimeter and light rust, it will sell for $25,000-50,000.

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