Featured HELP! 1 day hold 4 me - Large, Antique, Metal Hand Crank Toy Egg Laying CHicken - Not a Toy!

This cool piece came into my friend's thrift store this morning - he already had it on the floor with a $199 price tag. I wanted it, but I need to be sure it's worth it because money is tight right now - brake pads on car being replaced tomorrow + my dog has another vet visit + medication that I have to pay for tomorrow + my eclectic bill just came in!
And since being a picker means you go between ribeyes and ramon noodles - and it's ramon right now(!) - I asked if he would hold it for 1 day till I got a chance to ask for help here & he agreed.

A google image search just turns up old tin litho toy versions, and while the outer skin is some kind of thin metal, when you lift it - it is very heavy!

I figured it was from a old boardwalk or carnival (notice the screw hold on edge in last photo where I show the bottom - it was attached to something to secure it, but I don't see any coin slot (except maybe the loose piece I'm holding in my hand that was laying inside it?) - and a carny piece would not be for free!

Any idea what this is? When it's from? And is it worth $200?
It's cool - it even has 2 of the colorful eggs the chicken would "lay" still inside (they are in what looks like a old rotating coca cola / soda dispenser you'd find in a early soda machine)

I greatly appreciate ANY help!

 

I'd say it was used in a pub. Hard-boiled eggs were a common lunch item in the latter, and sometimes pub and "grub" were a package deal, so it wouldn't need a coin slot.

 

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/5__Egg_Vending_Machine__-LOT255245.aspx

 

$200 for something with a $2000 estimate that it blew past? Sounds like a good deal to me!

 

Thank you!!!

 

Condition! The hen from the auction was in good condition. The hen at the thrift shop is definitely a fixer upper.

Here is a long thread at a collector site about countertop hen on a basket egg vending machines. I see from some of the pictures that some even came with an iron table and people would sit out on the street and sell eggs. Haven't read the whole thing but it's pretty informative.
https://pennymachines.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=4048&sid=0d998e7cdb5708fad3031048bdf0a4c3

 

Here is another little tidbit of info. Not only could the hen dispense boiled eggs but also sometimes tin eggs filled with candy or treats were used.

https://stuckattheairport.com/2016/07/05/side-trip-tuesday-antique-arcade-amusements/

 

Hey! I just noticed looking more closely at your pictures, I think the slot for coins is on top of her head, the "comb".
And... I went back to the figural hen vending machine thread, I think there is a picture of exactly the same hen. MUM is the manufacturer of the machine.

 

That's the coin slot!

 

great link @LauraGarnet02

you find the neatest stuff journey

 

Isn't that a great thing! There are a few that have sold on Liveauctioneers. There seem to be some with a different basket and smaller hen and then there is one like yours.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=coin hen egg&sort=-relevance&status=archive

 

Great find!

I love that down in Miami you have Ramon noodles! Either you’ve never been broke enough to eat just noodles or it really is just a Cuban dude named Ramon that makes you noodles down there. Everywhere else we have Ramen noodles. I bet Ramon noodles are spicy!

 

Agree with Cxgirl. Journey, I never know what you are going to post! About half the time my mouth drops open with surprise. This was one of those times.

Awesome information and links @LauraGarnet02

 

BIG Congrats JM ! You just might've paid-off the Vet bill & the brake pads-god knows you earn it brother.Love old vending machines.I like the rough patina,kinda gives it a 'folk art' vibe-but bidders will like them better with a bit of cleaning.

 

Excellent work @LauraGarnet02!

Great find @journeymagazine!

And an obligatory snort to @J Dagger!

 

I would have bought it for 200 if it worked. Around here many people raise chickens therefore they collect anything chicken or egg related.

 

Chickens & Roosters are stars of the 'Farmhouse' 'Pioneer Woman' look.18th & 19th portraits of famous Fighting Cocks can go for big $.

 

We haven't had an update from @journeymagazine yet, so don't know if he went back and bought it or not.
Reading your post, that makes me think he should put keywords in the title of his auction that would attract vending machine collectors, chicken themed collectors and antique farmhouse decor collectors.

I always get such a sense of dread when people ask if they should spend a big chunk of money on an item. Especially when it is so difficult to find exact or even comparables and what they have sold for lately or in the past.

I will pray for a very good profit above and beyond all expenses of original purchase price and selling fees!

 

Journey-Go ahead & buy it for me.Shipping & Commission to follow.
PS-Maybe I should ask my Wife first ?
PSS-Laura-I think it's all about the current market taste & of course condition.With a 'Farmtique' like this, shabby chic (for me) is fine,but for the 1-4K collector,who knows ?