Victorian Casino Antiques to auction off Bill Harrah antique slot collection

VIEW THE AUCTION RESULTS HERE More than 75 rare gambling machines from Harrah’s collection will be part of massive, three-day auction held in Las Vegas Sept. 19-21

LAS VEGAS - One of the most lauded and sought-after collections of vintage gambling equipment has been acquired by Las Vegas-based auction house Victorian Casino Antiques (VCA), a Morphy Auctions company. The William F. Harrah Antique Gambling Machine collection will be the centerpiece of a live auction event held inside VCA’s Vegas showroom (4520 Arville St. #1) on Sept. 19-21, which will also feature about 1,600 other rare coin-operated machines, band organs, gas and oil collectibles, toy automobiles and advertising art.

{image_1}The Harrah collection boasts more than 75 upright slot machines, trade stimulators, three-reelers and floor consoles hailing from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, as well as several ephemeral displays from various Harrah’s (now Caesars) Entertainment properties. The collection includes items that previously resided inside corporate offices at those casinos, including Mr. Harrah’s prior to his passing, as well as in the Pony Express Museum that he owned in Reno, Nev.

This amazing assemblage of working gambling machines includes an early-model, 25-cent Caille roulette floor console, circa 1904, in a beautiful mahogany case; a fully operational, five-cent Mills/Hoke “Trap the Snake” three-reel bell slot machine from 1939 in original condition; and an ornately detailed, five-cent Mills duplex from the turn of the 20th century, in beautifully restored condition.{image_4}{image_3}{image_2}

One of the rarest items in the Harrah collection—and in the world of vintage gaming devices overall—is the 25-cent “Midget Derby” floor model horse racing machine, in excellent condition. Only one of these machines is known to exist, and it’s so unique, even its manufacturer is unknown.

Other highlights among the lots being auction in September include a five-cent Mills “Violano Virtuoso” upright violin-and-piano music player circa 1912; a beautiful, black-and-chrome, five-cent Paces Races light-up horse racing slot machine; a 5-foot-tall, painted, carved Native American princess cigar store figure; an Emil J. Paidar Co. three-station barber shop wood back bar, featuring Art Deco styling with rounded mirrors and chrome detailing; and an early-20th century five-cent Mutoscope viewer featuring scenes from Universal Pictures’ “Beware of Windows,” starring Laura LaPlante.

The entire auction catalog can be viewed online at the VCA WEBSITE, where interested bidders can also find links to register for phone or internet bidding. On-site previews prior to the auction dates will begin Aug.1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, or on an appointment basis by calling 702-382-2466.

COCA Member, Dave Burritt in association with The Coin Op Preservation Society, has created a You Tube video of the 3 wheel slots

VIEW THE VIDEO HERE     .You Can View The Digital Catalog HERE      View and Bid the online catalog HERE