Early 20th Century One-Cent Match Vending Machine by Krema

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c. 1909-1910; Safety Match Vending Co. (John F. Krcma/Krema Manufacturing Co.) - Chicago

A cast-iron front, one-cent match vending machine … Read more c. 1909-1910; Safety Match Vending Co. (John F. Krcma/Krema Manufacturing Co.) - Chicago

A cast-iron front, one-cent match vending machine from the earliest generation of the Safety Match Vending Co. lineup, featuring tall MATCHES lettering, dual 1¢ medallions, and Krcma's patented frontal delivery chute. The machine retains its original black japanned finish with red-and-yellow stenciling, a stepped base, riveted top panel, and the characteristic forward-projecting lower tray. The front plate falls forward for loading and maintenance, revealing the internal divider channels and coin release lever. Patent text stamped on the right side reads "Pat'd May 17 1910," corresponding to John F. Krcma's well-documented vending mechanism patent.

According to Silent Salesmen Too, this model is the first and most ornate of a series of three related vendors whose lineage runs through John F. Krcma (often spelled "Krema" in early records), Safety Match Vending Co., Samuel Cupples, and the Specialty Model D machines. The borders between these companies and model evolutions blur considerably, but this early Safety Match Vending Co. variant-built around Krcma's heavy cast-iron front plate-is regarded as the earliest and most decorative of the group. See less