POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'The Little Bandit' poker machine by Caille Bros

Object No. 2008/41/1

The Caille Bros poker machine is a representative example of the first generation of poker machines. It features the three-reel technology of the original 'Liberty Bell' machines designed by Charles Fey in the 1890s. From 1910, Caille Bros and other amusement machine manufacturers produced copies of the Liberty Bell and began building business empires on the basis of Fey's innovations. Although Fey devised an automatic payout mechanism, some early bar-top machines were produced without this function. In many states and cities of the USA, poker machines were prohibited from paying out in money. As a result some machines were designed to use tokens or fruit lollies redeemable for cigars or drinks. A Caille Bros innovation, not part of this machine, was an automatic lolly pay out mechanism, giving rise to the term 'fruit machine', commonly used in the US to describe slot or poker machines. This still-functioning machine is a fine example of Caille's early bar-top machines. It is also a link to the origins of gaming machine technology, and an example of its development in the hands of one of the most successful early manufacturers. Charles Pickett, Curator Design & Society.

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Summary

Object Statement

Poker machine, accessories, and tokens, 'The Little Bandit', bar top, metal / wood / plastic / glass, made by Caille Bros, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, 1910-1930

Physical Description

Poker machine and tokens, bar top, metal / wood, made by Caille Bros, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, 1910-1930 One poker machine with cast alloy case, supported by a timber plinth. The machine is in the form of a small cash register, with three playing wheels visible through windows at top front. The reels feature numerals rather than playing cards or other symbols. A playing lever protrudes from the right hand side of the case, which is decorated with an ornate floral pattern. A 'CB' monogram is embossed at front and sides. A handwritten card taped to the front of the machine reads in part: 'The Little Bandit...Free Drinks. Pays on any 3 of a kind. 3 Five's - 20 Cigars; 3 Nine's - 10; 3 Two's - 5'. A drawer containing tokens and an alternate card opens at the rear of the timber plinth. The drawer and the rear of the case have functioning locks; the keys are extant. One bottle of brass playing tokens.

DIMENSIONS

Height

235 mm

Width

200 mm

Depth

185 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Adolph and Auguste (Arthur) Caille's father Joseph migrated to the US from Alsace-Lorraine and began making coin-in-the-slot vending machines in Chicago. Adolph Caille and Jacob Scheimer began producing amusement machines in Toledo, Ohio about 1897. The partnership was dissolved in 1901, and Adolph and Arthur formed Caille Bros in Detroit, Michigan. Caille Bros produced a wide range of amusement, gaming and vending machines and took advantage of Charles Fey's invention of the compact automatic gaming machine. From 1910, Caille Bros produced copies of Charles Fey's 'Liberty Bell' and other designs. Within a few years, Caille Bros was exporting machines to France, Spain and elsewhere and claimed to be the world's largest manufacturer of coin-operated machines. Caille Bros machines were notable for their ornate case designs and elegant finishes. They were sold for higher prices than similar Mills and Watling machines, but were popular with saloon and arcade proprietors. Caille produced several innovations in poker machine design, as well as copying those of competitors. Caille Bros also produced car parts and marine outboard motors, and in 1932 the company was purchased by Fuller-Johnson, marine motor manufacturers. Slot machine production continued, although the industry was now more competitive due to the appearance of new manufacturers such as Bally and Pace. The last Caille Bros machines were produced in 1939. In 1934 Adolph Caille formed AC Novelty and produced a revolutionary seven-coin, multiple combination 'Multi-Bell' machine. The company was sold after Adolph's death in 1937. Charles Pickett, curator Design & Society.

HISTORY

Notes

This machine was owned by Ken Nutt, son of Roy Nutt, who was co-founder of the Nutt & Muddle poker machine manufacturing company. Nutt & Muddle produced Jubilee machines from the 1940s to the 1980s. The machine was used for some time at the Waverley Bowling Club.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs Shirley Nutt, 2008

Acquisition Date

27 February 2008

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