Images(5)

Machine, Vending

Object number2023.67.1

Manufacturer Kaspar Wire Works

Retailer Berkley-Small, Inc.

Datec. 1992

OriginShiner, TX

OriginMobile, AL

MediumMetal; Paint; Plastic

Credit LineGift of John F. Brunner

DescriptionYellow painted metal newspaper vending machine. Bottom section is rectangular and front side has a hinged door that opens downward and has handle at top center; door has clear plastic front; inside door is metal shelf for newspapers to sit on; inside window is metal wire grid to hold newspaper vertical; left and right sides each have narrow clear plastic window; and back has four holes. Top section is smaller rectangular box with sign on front advertising newspaper and cost with coin slot, push button coin return, two keyholes, and coin return slot; top section hinges open from the back revealing money mechanism.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 48.75 x 19.25 x 17.125 in. (123.8 x 48.9 x 43.5 cm)
InscriptionsFront has red, black, and silver text at top "25¢ DAILY / $1.00 SUNDAY / USE ANY COIN / COMBINATION / DO NOT USE PENNIES / COIN [down arrow] RETURN".

Front, left, and right sides have black painted text "Press".
MarksBack of top section has silver metal plate with black text including "SHO-RACK / MODEL / TK-80 / SERIAL / 83 78815 / MANUFACTURED UNDER ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PATENT NUMBERS / ... / MANUFACTURED BY / KASPAR WIRE WORKS / ... / SHINER, TEXAS... / ... / SOLD BY / BERKLEY-SMALL, INC. / ... / MOBILE, ALA. ..."

Inside top section lid is white paper label with black printed text including "NOTICE TO OWNER OF SHO-RACK / [safety instructions] / KASPAR WIRE WORKS / ... SHINER, TEXAS..."

Inside top section on back of money mechanism are, from top to bottom:
White paper label with black printed text "#2 WHEEL T-848 / PRICE RANGE $.25 TO $1.40 / [diagram] / KASPAR WIRE WORKS - SHINER, TEX. ...";
Silver metal tag with engraved number "31205";
Black stamped text "KWW / MECH EXCHANGE";
Engraved text "T805"; and
White paper label with black printed text "NOTICE / [operating instructions]".
Historical NotesVending machine used to sell Pittsburgh Press newspapers. The Pittsburgh Press was published in Pittsburgh from 1884-1992. Donor John F. Brunner worked part-time for the paper. His job was to clean and distribute the vending machines. In 1992, there was a strike and the donor had this machine in his car. The paper was sold soon after the strike and the donor kept the vending machine.

Related institution The Pittsburgh Press

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