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Black Diamond Pepsin Gum

National Vending Machine Co., Philadelphia, PA, c. 1905, 16". I just told you the city is Philadelphia, but it's "PHILA,PA." on the front tag which is more fitting for this piece.

This is like an L-vendor that shrunk in the dryer, or a salesmen's sample of an L-vendor but not a real L-vendor. Well, it's the real deal but isn't the kind of hernia-inducing L-vendor we normally think of when we think of an L-vendor....like this or this or this or this. This thing's a quarter as big at best, a child compared to those others, and even my wife could pick it up if she wanted to. It's an inch shorter than a Master, which no one considers an overly large machine.

The size, wood construction, and overall old-timey look all help make this thing attractive to collectors, but the graphics put it over the top. Take them away and it's still a nice machine sought by collectors, but not with the vigor or at the price it is now. I first saw one at my friend Erick's house around 2006 and was immediately in lust. That describes my reaction to much of his collection then and now, but I digress. I immediately wanted one but it was years before I saw one available (at a Morphy auction, if I recall correctly). It turns out I wasn't the only one with a Black Diamond on his "wanted" list. I saw a couple of others after that, but the one pictured above was the first one I had the chance to inspect in person before buying it. Even then I hesitated at the price, but ultimately decided that I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. I'm glad I didn't. It's a rare model and one I've kinda sorta wanted for a long time, and the few times I've seen one it's garnered more than its share of attention so how many more chances would I get?

The example above is 100% original.