Collecting and Valuing the Antique Carousel Gumball Machine
History of the Carousel Gumball Machine
In the 1950's Arthur Gold of Des Plaines, IL invented the Carousel brand gumball machine. At one time, his company Carousel Industries was the world’s largest manufacturers of gumball machines. In the 1980's the company was sold to Ford Gum & Machine Co.
The base of a Carousel gumball machine is made of die cast metal and has a powder coat finish. The globe where gumballs reside is made of glass. The machines are designed for personal use and SHOULD NOT be used in a commercial setting. This is because 1) the glass globe will shatter if the machine is tipped over 2) the coin mechanism will accept almost any coins, including slugs. The Carousel machine will happily vend small size (0.5"- 0.625" diameter) gumballs plus small candies like M&M's, Skittles and the like. The machine works best if gum and candy are not mixed together.
Over time, Carousel gumball machines have been made in various sizes, shapes, and colors. Today, the machines are being produced in red only. In the past, the company produced some novelty machines, such as a green and brown mallard duck gumball machine, which can be found on eBay from time to time, and even some of their old machines play music.
In 1988 Carousel came out with the Junior Gumball Machine Telephone. This whimsical product combined both a working digital telephone and a coin operated gumball dispenser. The image below shows the product and the original box it was packaged in plus the owner's manual and warranty card.
The machines were initially produced in the United States but later production was moved to China. The models made today still have the copyright 1985 embossed on the top right hand side of the coin mechanism. Just because it has the 1985 stamp does not mean it's vintage.
Are Carousel Industries Gumball Machines Collectible?
Carousel brand gumball machines were produced in large numbers and unfortunately vintage machines are not rare. As mentioned above, new machines are still being produced in China. The original machines have two notches in both the top and bottom of the globe lip. These notches are to secure the globe and keep it from being turned. The older machines also have a sticker posted on the bottom base with Carousel Industries logo, name, model number, and possibly phone number (now disconnected).
Over the years, many of the Carousel machines have been used as advertising or promotions, as companies have been known to have their logo or name printed or etched on the surface of the globe (to buy a customized Carousel machine of your own, click custom logo branded machine). Some advertising collectors may be attracted to the vintage machines as a result.
The 15" King Carousel gumball machine has a female threaded receptacle on the base that mates to 22" tall antique style pedestal stand. Together they stand at 37" tall. Today the stands are available only in black but in the past they've been produced in the color red that matches the base. On rare occasion, older 12" Junior size machines have the threaded based and can be mounted to a stand. The new Junior machine is designed to be a table top version only.
What is the value of a Carousel Gumball Machine?
Brand new Carousel gumball machines are widely available today and are generally sold for $30 - $80, depending if stand is included. Used vintage equipment sells for slightly more than new, in the range of $20 - $130 at flea markets, antique stores, or online at eBay.
Comments on this post (126)
Hello. I have an old duck gumball machine that I bought at an auction. Unfortunately it’s in a box taken apart and I need to find a parts diagram for it. Does anybody know where that could be possibly? Thank you.
— T Supple
I have a carousel king with stand number on is 000394. Anyone tell me the year of this?
— Bill Freel
I have carousel gumball machine No 87-J-030059
with Ronald McDonald face sticker on glass
will you please can you help with information about this carousel
gumball machine
thank you very much for you support
— jose ortiz
I have a 15" what looks to be a Carousel Gumball Machine, Green in color, No cereal number, but inside mechanics says patent pending. Good condition. I can send pictures as well if interested. Any information would be appreciated.
— Michael Alfieri
I have an original red gumball machine made in Morton Grove, Illinois. It is new and has a sheet of paper with assembly instructions and the name and address of the company from way back then inside the glass globe. Do you have any idea how many of the original machines are still around? Thanks.
Dulce
— Dulce
My gumball machine has a sticker on machine showing Carousel Industries inc, Des Plaines, Illinois No.88-AB-000815 and under base is a sticker with Carousel Industries INC, Des Plaines, Illinois USA with address and phone number. The stand is black, glass globe has the notches on top and bottom. I can’t find a year on it anywhere. Keeping in the family just wanted to know more or the year. Thanks
— Debbie Kring
Hi I have a gumball machine carousel # 87-p-0184409 also has a c in a circle /1985 with TM under carousel lable could you tell me a little about this how old and value.
Thank you
Sharon
— Sharon
I have a carousel gumball machine no.89-D-020593 can you give me info on it please?
— melody
I have a Corousel Inductries, Inc. Morton Grove, Il gumball machine
Red King size with black stand serial # M4- 036430 made in Taiwan, Could you tell me what year it was manufactured or an approximate time frame
thank you
— Norine
My Carousel Gumball Machine is so old that there are no pictures of it on the internet. My Grandmother who was born in the very early 1920’s passed it down to me. Granny kept it in perfect condition during her generation and throughout her children (my mother/aunts) generation. I kept it in perfect condition for my entire childhood and my adulthood. Then during this current generation, pertaining to the 2nd wave of my youngest nieces and nephews were playing around with it and damaged it badly. I was so upset, but I took it from them and now keep it in a chest where they cannot play with it at all because it is very old. Although it’s damaged now the machine holds a lot of value to me; Its history stretches back four generations in my family, and it is an original Carousel Gumball Machine. It very well may be a first edition. I’m lucky to still have it! I don’t need an appraisal because I will never part with it & I already know it’s old, I just wanted to share the story.
— Ionic
Hi,
I have a NO.86-AD-004035 gold in color and would like some information about it if possible.
Thank you for your help.
— Mike Smith
i have a 1967 , 15 inches tall carousel gumball machine. what is it worth?
— sharon sherwood
My n at chin we c is v labeled
Made in Taiwan
But another label label says
Carousel
In Morton Grove IL
60053 USA
Is this authentic?
Laa as b we l n are white in n underside red metal base
White sticker on back side of base with
number 01351
— Jillian Linington Hamlet-Hutson
I have a King Carousel gum ball machine from I believe the 1950’s with its original globe( the glass looks imperfect and is pressed with seams visible.) It has a red pedestal and it states “Made in the United States of America” under it.
Can you tell me anything about it or what it may be worth?
— Donna M
I have a white careusel gumball machines model number NO.85-J-065822
— Glenda L Zink
I have a Carousel Gumball machine Des Plaines, Illinois Made in Taiwan R.O.C. NO. 89-AA-003780 Cam you provide any information as to age of the machine?
Thank you
— Debbie Gallegos
My vintage gumball machine has on the front an R beside the Carousel logo. Just wondering if that would be significant in helping me identify
the age my machine. It was made in Taiwan ROC, and has a label with the company information on the bottom. Thanks for your help!
Debbie
— Debra McBride
I have a Carousel No.87-AD-002224.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you
— Melinda Breth
I have a Pillsbury dough boy 25th birthday gumball machine and in need of a part can anyone direct me to a place where I can purchase parts.
Thank You,
Sylvia Mendez
— Sylvia Mendez
I have a carousel industries, inc gumball machine NO.86 A-028066. Need the top that goes on the glass globe. Any ideas?
— Loretta Miller
I have a Carousal No 13 King-000067. From this description can you tell me the year. What is it’s worth?
Thank you,
Juanita
— Juanita
Carousel gum ball machine. Square glass and bottom with round lid. Red. #88-0-015749. Carousel industries, Drs Plaines I’ll. USA
— Jeanne
#88-0-015749. It is full of old marbles someone collected. Will it hurt the inside of the machine?
— Jeanne
I have what I believe is a Petite gumball machine that’s 8 1/2 inches tall with model number NO89-AC-058815 and I can’t find this model online anywhere. Is it a knock off or is it a real carousel machine? I’m curious to know what I found since I got it from a garage sale.
— Savannah
I have a mint condition Carousel #87D003785 mallard duck machine. Please tell me how old and value of this gumball machine.
Thanks
— Tami