Adam's Pepsin Tutti-Frutti Chewing Gum Dispenser

Made in U.S.A. 1903-1904. Oak. A rare Adams Tutti-Frutti “L-Shaped” chewing gum vending machine, from Thomas Adams, the inventor of Tutti-Frutti gum and gum-dispensing machines. His coin-operated machines were placed on elevated train and subway platforms in New York City. To combat the growing “slug problem” Adams purchased licenses for anti-fraud mechanisms and included them in all of his machines. This machine has a particular localized Canadian production and distribution history, different from the standard American examples. Adams was a U.S. company, yet the “blue banner” on the glass references Weir Specialty Company located in Toronto, Ontario. Instead of shipping fully assembled machines across the border he avoided tariffs by shipping the mechanisms to be cased at The Weir Specialty Company. The result was a hybrid machine constructed of American invention and Canadian craftsmanship. We can confirm the date of this machine by the address of the Weir company on the “blue banner”. The company first appeared in the 1900 Toronto Directory as a “wholesaler of grocery goods and coin-operated machinery” with a location at 97-103 King St. W. and sharing office space with the “Tutti-Frutti Selling Machines Company”. In mid-1903, Weir relocated to 561 Yonge Street (the address on the blue banner) and, at the same time, secured the rights from Adams to distribute and service these machines across Ontario. This example is therefore no earlier than mid-1903. Stamped, "PATENTED DEC 4, 1894", on the lower edge of sash beneath lower inspection window. All items are guaranteed authentic by Miller & Miller Auctions. All purchases are eligible for free delivery to the Winter Dixie Gas & Oil Show on December 4, 2026 and the Red Deer Swap Meet on April 30 - May 1, 2027. From Anderson's General Store, Princeton, Ontario. Anderson's was founded in 1902 and remained in the Anderson family until the 1990s. This machine was retained by Glenn Anderson, the store's last operator.

Estimate:£2,119.95

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