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Hoskins Self-Service Vendor

Hoskins Self-Service Machines, Knoxville, TN, c. 1920's, 15 ¹/₂" (including marquee). The date on this is my estimate. Silent Salesmen Too says that the Hoskins "is beautiful when in good condition." I agree with that. The copper plating on the back of the interior gives it a rich look that a similar aluminum or plated machine won't have. Actually, that's probably not true; an aluminum or plated machine can have a rich look as well, but since copper was used so seldomly, the Hoskins has a different rich look than do other similar vendors.

This has 7 columns that presumably sold different items. Put a nickel into the top of the column you want to vend from, push the lever, and your goodies would fall to the tray below.

I've also seen 2 examples that had ancient green or copper/bronze paint on some of the exterior parts. The paint may have been original or may have been applied by a vendor long ago; I couldn't tell. Either way, they looked good, although the overall look was different from the one pictured above. Not better or worse, just different.

The example pictured above is 100% original. The small bracket on the base to the left of the machine is matched by one on the right of the machine. These were presumably used to fasten the machine to a countertop and are not factory-original.