9: A COIN OPERATED BERNITZ 'ROULETTE' COOLER FOR POLLY POP

The dispensing cooler made by Bernitz of Kansas City was originated in a Polly's Pop retail store, according to the owner, Jerry Slover. The restored exterior has Polly graphics and the exterior components of the mechanism in crinkle finish. There is no internal apparatus.
Measures 36h not counting crinkle finish apparatus x 40w x 26 d.
Very good restored condition, noting the interior is empty.
Provenance: When Louis L. 'Polly' Compton bought the Independence Bottling Works in 1922, it's estimated there were 5000 independent bottlers in the United States. Most of these included flavored sodas among their offerings. Some even delivered like the milkman and brought back empties to be washed and re-filled. In 1923, Polly's Pop was introduced to Independence, Missouri using water from one of the many springs that made that town a popular jumping off point for settlers heading west. The story of Polly's Pop is classic Americana and the original company left behind some rare and wonderful examples of memorabilia from its 44 year reign. Jerry Slover has spent the last three decades looking for Polly's Pop items. His collection is the largest ever offered at auction and represents a rare opportunity to acquire something from this great American soda pop success story.
$400 - $600