A rare 'Electric Oracle' amusement machine,

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Details

A rare 'Electric Oracle' amusement machine,
possibly by M. J. Mason, with pediment top above horizontal coin slot and a (faded) coloured print of the Goddess, 'Fortuna', with message window, circa 1890 -22½in. (56.5cm) high

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

This lot is illustrated top centre on page 40 and should read lot 289, not 290

Lot Essay

Despite the name, this machine is not operated by mains or battery power, but simply a ploy at the time for people to part with their money. Electricity was considered a wonder at the time and very popular in the medical world, being used in shock machines as a healer or in this case, by using the name to influance people in to thinking it was used to tell your fortune

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