This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2018
This lot features an extraordinarily unique collection of 1937 Three Stooges Pillsbury Farina die cut moving picture machines. In 1937 Pillsbury ran a promotion in which fans of the Three Stooges could obtain a "Moving Pictures Machine" and accompanying double-sided "film reel" with the purchase of two boxes of Farina. The "Moving Pictures Machine" and "film reels" were produced on perforated cardboard sheets, which then had to be cut out and assembled per the printed instructions. Offered here is a rare collection of both the machines and film reels. The collection is composed of five "Moving Pictures Machine" sheets, six film reels, and three additional examples of just the "projector" portion of the machine.(The sheet contains all the components of the machine, including, wheels, cranks, shafts, eye piece, etc.). This is the largest single offering of these Three Stooges rarities and is probably greater in number than the total seen at auction in the past twenty years. The five "Moving Pictures Machine" sheets (12.25 x 31.5 inches unfolded; 12.25 x 11 inches folded) are all complete as issued, with the exception of one, which is missing the "crank." (A few of the components on the sheet are semi perforated, but all are complete as issued.) In Excellent condition overall. The six film reel sheets (11 x 18 inches) each contain clips of two different films (front and back) and are composed of three different sheets, with three duplicates: 1) Restless Knights/Pop Goes The Easel (3 examples); 2) Uncivil War/Grips, Grunts, & Groans; 3) False Alarms/3 Little Pigskins." Five of the sheets are complete as issued. One of the sheets (Restless Knights/Pop Goes The Easel) is missing the top instruction panel. Without reference to the one sheet missing the top instruction panel, all are in Excellent condition with the exception of two: 1) Restless Knights/Pop Goes The Easel; complete example; Fair due to two very large corner chips and additional edge tears; and 2) False Alarms/3 Little Pigskins; clean horizontal split along one of the perforations (otherwise Ex). The three cut "projector" pieces remain in Excellent condition. Total: 14 items (five "Moving Pictures Machine" sheets, 6 "film reel" sheets, and 3 cut "projector" pieces). The Restless Knights/Pop Goes The Easel film sheet that is missing the top instruction panel displays a complete split along one of the perforation lines. Also, one of other the Restless Knights/Pop Goes The Easel film sheets displays a complete split along one of perforation lines as well. It should be noted that both the sheets and "Moving Pictures Machines" are extremely fragile, especially along the perforation lines. Tremendous investment opportunity to acquire these 14 items as the breakdown value is off the charts. We encourage Three Stooges fans and savvy collectors to bid aggressively as an opportunity like this one may not ever present itself again.