Just found these coin related things in my garage. One for sweets & one for photos.

This is somewhat coin related.

I found this old gum ball machine in my garage. Thinking of cleaning it up, placing gum balls in it and use only Indian Head cents in it.

 

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The other is this strange camera thing with an electrical cord.

I'm thinking of using it to photograph my collection. If I can figure out what exactly it is and how it works.

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I love that gumball machine! The camera is pretty cool too. Do you know what company it is made by?

 

Looks like an enlarger, not a camera. Used to shine light through a black and white negative onto photographic paper.

 

Two other photos:

 

The company is Beseler. My neighbor says it might be for silk screening.

 

I think your neighbor is right.

 

That gumball machine is killing me,I can't believe you had it in your garage. Its a very nice piece,and quite valuable if original.

 

Bingo!

http://www.beselerphoto.com/enlargers/

 

So would I be able to circuit-bend it to do my bidding of photographing coins?

I know next to nothing about photography.

 

Yes, it's an enlarger for use in printing photos with 35mm b/w negs.

 

Hmmm...I guess it's time to wash the old moth eaten college sweater and go back to school. Photography 101!

 

Back to the gum ball machine. The inscription on the stand reads "Royal Gum Co." and weighs as much as a railroad line.
I think it's an original.

Yeah, I dunno...every renter I've ever had always leaves some crap behind. I should call those "American Pickers" guys.

 

By original,I meant if it has not been restored. Do you have the key?

 

Actually your enlarger will help you make excellent photos of coins. All you have to do is remove and throw away the enlarger parts and fashion a way to fasten a camera to the movable track so you can raise and lower the camera.


My photo shows a Durst (a major competitor of your Besseler back in the day) enlarger frame so adapted.

 

Well, it looks like it has been painted.

I may have the key. The renter left behind a bunch of keys too. Skeletons even. I believe the lock has the normal tumbler assembly and uses a relatively modern type of key.

 

Perfect! That's exactly what I was hoping to do with it.

Wow! That's a nice set up you have there Dougsmit. :thumb:

 

That sucks if it has been painted, if you have the key you are still in the money. I sold the same machine about a year ago. All original,with the key for $700. You can buy them restored for around $600. If yours works,has the key but has been painted,you could probably still get $300-400 from someone who collects coin op.