Antique Roulette Cigar Countertop Trade Stimulator 1890’s

Antiques

 

This is an antique casino-type roulette cigar game that was made between the 1880’s and the very early 1900’s. These types of games became popular in saloons and cigar stores around the 1880s. Although modeled 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. Often set beside a cash register or under the checkout counters, and brought out only when it was safe to do so. These games encouraged (or "stimulated") customers to take their chance and spend some spare change before leaving.

The customer would place a minimum bet of 5 cents per play for cigars. The inside of the top case on this game lid reads " For Cigars Only 5 cents To Play”. The piece is made of oak wood and has cast iron rotating roulette gambling wheel. The clicker is leather, not rubber. It is a rare/scarce piece. The game is identified as being made by the J. Salm Mfg. Co. 135 East Sixth St Cincinnati Ohio. This company manufactured game trade stimulators in the 1890’s. The dimensions are as follows 13" square x 4 ¾” height.

Item ID: 090268