It looks like the lister double listed it so it could be listed under both trade stimulators and slots.
The following is a direct quote from the listing that is closed:
TO BID ON THIS ITEM & GET THE PROPER INFO. THIS LISTING WAS DONE TO DIRECT THE "TRADE STIMULATOR" COLLECTORS TO THE RIGHT LOCATION TO BID ON THIS ANTIQUE BECAUSE IT WAS ORIGINALLY LISTED AS A SLOT MACHINE IN THE SEARCH TITLE, WHICH WOULD NOT COME UP IF YOU WANTED A "TRADE STIMULATOR". I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE CONFUSION, BUT I DID NOT WANT TO UPSET THE CURRENT BIDDERS & WATCHERS BY CANCELING THE LISTING & STARTING OVER AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW ALL 54 WATCHERS, OR THE LOWER BIDDERS. SO TO BE FAIR TO ALL, I DECIDED TO PUT IN THIS SECOND SEARCH ITEM UNDER THE CORRECT SEARCH TITLE SO THAT ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WOULD KNOW IT WAS AVAILABLE & HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID.
AGAIN...DO NOT BID ON THIS ITEM AT THIS LOCATION, IT WILL NOT BE A VALID BID BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTION OF THIS LISTING!!
WITH ALL OF THE CLEAR DIRECTIONS LISTED HERE & THE FACTS TO GO TO THE OTHER LISTING FOR BID PURPOSES & IF YOU STILL BID AT THIS LOCATION, VIOLATING THE INSTRUCTIONS :
"
Anyway, it looks like a pretty nice machine.
It will be interesting to see what it brings. From reading the listing it looks to be a pretty rare version of the Mills Jockey.
Here are some of the Q & A in the E-Bay listing
Q: Certainly is the "Pito" design...last one sold for 18,000 two years ago in much worse shape...i will send u the pictures of it...thanks
Apr-06-05
A: THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND, BUT I AM GOING TO PUT THAT INFO IN THE LISTING. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU MADE MY NIGHT. I AM A SINGLE STRUGGLING MOM & EVERY NICKLE COUNTS . I ONLY HOPE OTHERS KNOW THE VALUE. THIS MACHINE IS ONLY MISSING A FEW TRIM PIECES THAT I KNOW. I CAN'T GET INTO THE INSIDE TO KNOW IF IT'S WORKING BUT A LITTLE POLISH & IT WILL LOOK REAL NICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY...CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ANY OTHER DETAILS? BLESSES TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY, IT IS SO REFRESHING TO MEET AN HONEST BUYER, MARIEANN
Q: please send other pictures. this appears to be the rare pito-wally design which only a half dozen or so were made. had to change design and lettering as the machines were able to be opened by certain people. thanks rex
Apr-05-05
A: THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO. AS I HAVE INDICATED TO MANY INTERESTED BUYERS, I JUST DON'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE ON THIS PIECE. I WILL SEND YOU THE 7 EXTRA PHOTOS I HAVE. IF YOU COME TO ANY CONCLUSION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST, BLESSES MARIEANN
Q: Hello Marieann: Some seem to have a different opinion as to what you have. Your Mills "Jockey" appears to be in excellent condition for it's age. I could tell you more with additional photo's. This machine should be cleaned only, and worked with the patina of the wood, to keep it in as original condition as possible. It is from the 1900 to 1905 period. I could give you a closer date if I know the serial number, which should be on a small sticker on the inside wall of the case, if it hasn't fallen off with age. But the same number is usually stamped in the wood case, just above the back door, and many times on the door as well. Your machine has the earlier trim, and is not the same as the one in Dick Bueschel's book, on pg 69. That model is dated incorrectly, and has the last known trim design, before they went to a much plainer case. Mills made the "Jockey" from 1900 thru 1927. The overall case style never changed, but there were several wood trim, and a few casting changes. Bill
Apr-04-05
A: Thank you very much for your info. Everytime I get a new message, I get more data but get more confused as well. It has caused me to literally get out my magnifying glass to look for things like this number you speak of. I have found, right above the lock imprinted into the wood looks to be a : TB 62 not sure if the B is a B or a P & not sure if the 6 is a 6 or a 5. Thats the best I can come up with, There looks like there was some stickers at one time. THANK you, I'll e-mail you 8 photos & let me know what you think. Blesses Marieann
Q: What's this about the winner contacting you for the price. The winner is the winner - period. Please explain.
Apr-04-05
A: I AM NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION OR WHERE YOUR READING YOUR COMMENT. I THINK YOU ARE REFERING TO THE BOTTOM WHERE I TALK ABOUT THE SHIPPING. IN MY SHIP NOTES, IT SAYS FULL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED & THE FINAL SHIP PRICE WILL BE BASED ON FINAL SALES AMOUNT. THE MORE IT SOLD FOR, THE HIGHER THE INSURANCE. THIS IS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FINAL SALES AMOUNT WILL BE & BECAUSE I REQUIRE FULL INSURANCE, IT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTILL THE FINAL PRICE IS DETERMINED. I HOPE THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE REFERING TO, BECAUSE YOUR RIGHT, THE FINAL PRICE IS THE FINAL PRICE. I AM SORRY IF I CONFUSED YOU & PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF I CAN ANSWER ANY MORE QUESTIONS. BLESSES MARIEANN
Q: would consider selling your machine as buy it now?
Apr-04-05
A: I CANNOT DO THAT, IT WOULD BE AGAINST MY POLICY WHEN THERE ARE BIDDERS ON THIS MACHINE ALREADY. IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO OTHERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST & GOOD LUCK TO YOU !!
Q: Nice machine. What you have is a 1900 "Jockey" made by Mills Novelty Co. of Chicago, Illinois. The "bible" on trade stimulators is Dick Bueschel's "Vintage Trade Stimulators & Counter Games". This machine is pictured on page 69 of Bueschel's book. According to Bueschel, your "Jockey" is "a true classic, and one of the most desirable card machines." I would agree. I would suggest that anyone seriously interested in a machine like this will want to see some more pictures of it. I would like to see a picture of the left side and the back and the area where you think something is missing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and good luck with your auction. Ric Gandy
Apr-04-05
A: THANK YOU SO SO VERY MUCH FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO ADD THIS IMPORTANT INFO. I REALLY DISLIKE SELLING SOMETHING TO THE PUBLIC I KNOW LITTLE ABOUT IN FEAR OF ERROR OR MIS-INFORMATION. I AM GOING TO TRY TO GET MORE PICTURES & LOAD THEM ON THE LISTING. IF THEY WON'T LOAD, I'LL AT LEAST ADD THAT BIDDERS CAN REQUEST THEN & i'LL E-MAIL THEM. I WILL DO THIS FOR YOU AS SOON AS I GET THEM. BEFORE I LISTED THIS MACHINE, I E-MAILED SEVERAL COLLECTORS OUTSIDE OF E-BAY WITH PHOTOS & AM NOW GETTING BACK MY RESPONSES. A LITTLE SLOW, BUT AT LEAST THEY'RE COMING IN. EVERYONE HAS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT OPPINION TO HOW MANY AVAILABLE. THE MOST COMMON RESPONSE IS OVER 5 & LESS THAN 20. ONE PERSON SAID LESS THAN 50 & ANOTHER 100, BUT MOST SEEM TO HAVE FACTS ON LESS THAN 20. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, BLESSES MARIEANN
Q: Hi. Your find is not a slot, but a trade stimulator. Although not in great condition. IT WILL Bring at least $ 4500.00 NICE FIND.I hope I get to drive to your house to pick it up.... John
Apr-03-05
A: Thank you so much for your info, I will pass it on to the bidders, so they know what i didn't know. If you win the bid & live in the area, you are welcome to pick it up. Marieann