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Ring Ding Spaceship

L. M. Becker Co., Brillion, WI, c. 1950's, 16". I've always liked Ring Ding machines; they're not "high end" but they're cute and have wads of personality.

This model was shipped free with a large order of gum. Except for the baseplate and lock it's all plastic and takes advantage of the space theme interest of the late 1950's and 1960's. I've not seen a variation on this model. All of the examples I've seen have been red and white, and all have had the same decals in the same spots. Like the Ring Ding Clown, these are not uncommon machines but they're hard to find in stellar condition. Most have at least one crack in the globe or body or are missing a fin on the globe, and most have cloudy globes.

Note the "6 for 1¢" decal on the lid. The gum they used in this must have been pretty small, and I wonder if anyone other than Becker sold it. Jellybeans work okay, but you don't get 6 for your penny.

The example above is 100% original. The globe is in very good shape, as is the body except for a small crack just above the coin slot. This is the kind of crack you usually find in the body of Becker machines; small and unobtrusive, but there nonetheless.