A Mills Novelty Co. 5 Cent Miniature Three Reel Slot Machine
Chicago, Illinois, Early 20th Century
serial no. 39255.
Height 8 1/4 x width 6 1/2 x depth 7 3/4 inches (case only).
Property from the Collection of Lee and Paula South, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Lee and Paula South of Albuquerque, New Mexico assembled their eclectic collection of coin-operated machines over four decades, seeking out whimsical pieces evocative of their shared happiness and hard work. Lee (1929-2020) was born in Kansas and moved to La Junta, Colorado at young age. The family home was a railroad boxcar surrounded by junked cars, and he often came home after school to cut metal, dismantle, and retrofit cars to sell. He met and married Paula (1930-2019) following her move to La Junta in the late 1940s, and the couple later moved to New Mexico to manage and own a mobile home park. They began investing in self-storage properties and travelling throughout the United States via RV, adding new machines along the way. Lee and Paula relished sharing their collection with others and reminiscing about the history of each piece.

Working order not determined - coin slot stuck and unable to receive coins.