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Canteen

International Register Co., Chicago, IL, c. 1940's (estimated), 19 ³/₄". This is one version of a "Canteen," and I know very little about it. I bought it on ebay about 2006 and at the time it was the only one I could recall seeing. Since then I've seen others, so it's not rare, but I still consider it a tough model to find. Don't look for it in Silent Salesmen Too, 'cause it ain't there.

It's a one-column vendor that dispenses an individual stick of gum for a penny. Put your coin in and push the plunger and a stick drops into the lower cup. The metal frame around the gum cup is stamped "Made by International Register Co., Chicago" and "Property of Automatic Canteen Co. of America."

This example is 100% original. It has gold dribble paint over maroon, although the gold is worn in spots. The cardboard marquee is printed on 2 sides and could be flipped to accommodate a different gum. Someone once contacted me and said he had one of these that was missing its marquee, and would I please scan my marquee and send it to him. I did, and if you're in the same boat you can download that 1.2 MB image here .

I no longer own this machine.