Description: MUTOSCOPE ARTIST PIN-UP ARCADE CARD Issue: / Year: 1945 Condition: VF/NM Classic mutoscope Artist Pin-Up series arcade card! Absolutely gorgeous, the scan does not do the card justice, very vivid and sharp! Card has blank back. Their cards were sold for a penny each in arcade machines. These cards were almost always black and white or some type of single color toned cards. They issued cards on a variety of subjects, but the most sought after cards feature pin-ups, movie stars, cowboys and boxers. The method of distribution of Arcade/Exhibit cards was unique in the first half of the 20th century. Until the period after World War 2, Americans did not have the incredible variety of home-delivered amusements that we find common today. Only radio provided home entertainment beginning in the 1920. When people wanted something to do, people left their homes for movie theaters, boardwalks, and arcades. Every town had annual fairs or carnivals that had arcade tents. ESCO manufactured amusement machines for those places: fortune telling machines, prize machines, scales, pin-balls, etc. It most historic development was the card dispensing machine. Exhibit cards were the first nationally distributed trading card product sold without any ancillary uses or purposes. The cards were not for advertising nor were they product premiums. They themselves were the product.A carnival or arcade owner purchased an ESCO vending machine and ESCO sold them refill products for the machines. ESCO made its real money on the refill orders, not on the machines. The cards were dispensed for a penny (later, a nickel or dime) to the patron of the arcade. ESCO sold refill cards direct to vendors. There was no permanent place where you could get these cards in most cities. Usually buyers had to wait for a carnival or fair to hit town to have access to the cards. This limited availability has made many of these cards quite scarce today and in recent years they have become very desirable collectors items. Size of each card is about 3 1/4" x 5 1/2". Publisher: Sku: F3-02-0034 Over 100,000 mail orders processed! Buy with confidence.
Price: 33.32 USD
Location: Tampa, Florida
End Time: 2024-08-10T03:37:33.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Restocking Fee: No
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All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
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