£10k shock as vintage arcade machines are sold off

ONCE gathering dust in a garage, three vintage arcade machines sold for a combined £10,000 at a popular auction house.

There was a buzz of expectation at John Taylors, in Louth, where the machines went under the hammer.

After massive interest online beforehand, a record number of online bidders logged on and the auction room itself was packed with people.

The three early 20th Century arcade gaming machines are believed to have originated from Skegness.

They had been sitting in a garage in Louth for the past few years collecting dust, and the owners finally decided to let them go.

Auctioneer James Laverack said "There was a lot of interest in the three machines because there are lots of collectors out there, all eager to restore them to working order once again."

The 1903 Edwardian, Big Six Greyhound Racer, which was in the best condition, sold for £5,200 – leaving the owners shocked.

Mr Laverack said: "They expected to go away with a couple of hundred, but the first lot blew that away!"

Next, a very distressed pre-First World War Handanni Billiards Latest went for £3,200.

"It had a bird's nest in it at one point," said Mr Laverack, "but it was the rarest item out of the three, so there was a lot of interest."

Finally, the Electric Traveling Crane, manufactured by the International Mutoscope Reel Company, sold for £1,600.

"Bidding was some of the fastest I've known," Mr Laverack said.

"It switched between live internet bids, phone bids and in-the-room bidding.

"They were all sold to people both in and out of the county who will probably restore them to their former glory."

Items are now being taken for John Taylors' next auction on October 8, which is the firm's famous Lincolnshire Sale.

For more information, telephone 01507 611107 or call in each Friday between 10am and noon.