Items Similar to Antique Early Gambling Folk Art Gaming Device, Holtz
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Antique Early Gambling Folk Art Gaming Device, Holtz
$3,500
£2,657.63
€3,039.20
CA$4,890.01
A$5,438.76
CHF 2,839.95
MX$66,183.87
NOK 36,270.49
SEK 34,015.32
DKK 22,682.73
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
An exceptionally scarce antique American Folk Art gambling triple stacked wooden arrow spindle spinning wheel gaming device from the late 19th / early 20th century.
Believed to be a prototype or for a similar lesser known model of the important, very rare and unusual T. F. HOLTZ made "Three Arrow Trade Stimulator" circa 1896, (displayed in the American Antique Museum, reference L2016.2501.010)
Theodore Holtz of San Francisco and early slot machine pioneer Charles Fey's partner in 1894, forming their first partnership as Holtz and Fey Electric Works. For this particular game, upon depositing your nickel and pressing the lever, three arrows will spin on the front dial and if all three stop on the same marker you win.
Trade stimulators were countertop or freestanding amusement gaming machines widely used to encourage shoppers to indulge in a game of chance. They became popular in American saloon bar-rooms during the 1880s, their use spreading to cigar, confectionery and general store retail, later to carnivals, casino, traveling country fair, amusement parks, boardwalk game boards, circus shows, fundraiser or charity give away prize wheels, etc.
Although modelled after other gambling devices, these machines were legal since in theory they offered prizes in the form of cigars, stamps or chewing gum rather than money. Produced in a wide range of designs, they were developed during the same era as slot machines and were operated by inserting a coin and pulling a lever, the player standing to win prizes of cigars, cigarettes, candy and other goods if a winning combination came up.
Often set beside a cash register or near check-out counters, these machines encouraged (or "stimulated") customers to take their chance and spend some of their spare change before leaving. After inserting a coin, a handle was depressed or cranked to set into motion a roulette wheel, playing cards or dice. When the machine stopped, the patron read his "winnings" on the dial(s); these were dispensed by the clerk rather than spilling out of the machine itself.
This high quality, well made, game of chance spinner features
three hand carved and painted richly detailed solid Maple arrows, with long curved metal claw pointer, graduated in size, stacked over a central standard spindle, each with its own bearing, smoothly and freely moving independent of the other two, on a painted black heavy cast iron dome base, with later mounted metal bracket for securely attaching or wall hanging. It's very sturdy, stable, and structurally sound, rustic patina, organically distressed, mildly chippy paint finish, acquired from over a century of wear and age.
Ideal proportions to display by wall hanging, the wonderful example is warm, rustically distressed attractive, interesting and full of character, charm and historic depth, highly desirable and sought after by early gambling collectors, amusement game collectors and classic Americana folk art collections.
Dimensions:
23" Wide/Diameter, 6.5" Deep/Tall
Base: 6" Diameter.
- Dimensions:Height: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Diameter: 23 in (58.42 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. It's very sturdy, stable, and structurally sound, rustic patina, organically distressed, mildly chippy paint finish, acquired from over a century of wear and age.
- Seller Location:Forney, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5977227205522
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2013
1stDibs seller since 2021
294 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Forney, TX
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAntique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rare Early Childrens Carousel Ride Bird Figure Antique Carnival Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
Acquired from the nationally known Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (originally opened in 1945 as the Fort Worth Children's Museum), this remarkable very early carousel ride is the last we have available from the original menagerie group we aquired (the stag deer, parrot, and fox rides from the same carousel already sold)
Lynx Hollow Antiques is proud to present this scarce one-of-a-kind antique European early dobby platform flat...
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
18th Century Swedish Carved Mangle Board
Located in Forney, TX
A long hand carved wooden mangle board (clothing and bedding press) with beautiful patina.
Handmade in Sweden, circa 1744, this Scandinavian antique with...
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Primitive Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Early American Banner Weathervane
Located in Forney, TX
A large and remarkable 4' long early PA American scrollwork bannerette weathervane / wind directional.
Pennsylvania, first half of the 19th century, cut sheet metal, copper tubing,...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Metal, Copper, Zinc
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Large Oceanic Gope Carved Wooden Ancestor Spirit Board
Located in Forney, TX
An Oceanic "Gope" Papuan ancestral spirit board, 20th century, collected from the Gulf Province, Papua, New Guinea, Kerewa or Hohao village tribe.
Hand...
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
You May Also Like
Early 20th Century Aunt Sally English Fairground Game
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century aunt sally english fairground game.
We share what we love, and we love this oversized early 20th Century example of a carved wood Fairground Aunt Sally knock do...
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Folk Art Game Boards
Materials
Pine
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Category
Vintage 1910s American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
$300 / item
$175
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Carousel Element, Circa 1890
Located in Doylestown, PA
A unique carved element from a 19th century carousel, heavily carved with instead cut-glass mirrors and retaining its original painted finish. Would make a fun headboard for a bed.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
$975 Sale Price
56% Off
Vintage Carnival Midway Wood Ring Toss Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage carnival midway ring toss game. Perfect wall art. Wood with original park paint surface. These appear to be one of a kind carny made pieces for...
Category
Vintage 1950s Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood