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Mutoscopes
& Mutoscope Reels

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Clamshell Mutoscope &
Charlie Chaplin Kiddie Mutoscope

The Clamshell Mutoscope from the 1920s is the most desirable of all mutoscopes. The cast iron clamshell is so named because of the clamshell design on both sides of the mutoscope. It is an original restored mutoscope with a replacement marque. It features an original reel with a boxing theme.

The 1930s tin mutoscope next to it is also original and sits on a kiddie stand. It features an orignal Charlie Chaplin reel (an extremely rare and highly sought after reel).

The 1930s tin mutoscope on the far right is an original mutoscope on an adult stand.

Prices:
Clamshell Mutoscope: SOLD 1930s Mutoscope on Kiddie Stand: $3450 plus $85 shipping
1930s Mutoscope on Adult Stand: $2850 plus $125 shipping shipping

You can replace the reel in the above mutoscopes with one of the new reels listed below for only $399.,

To order, email: durham@GameRoomAntiques.com along with your name, location and phone number
call or 202-338-1342 (10 a.m. - 9 p.m. east coast time)

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Mutoscope with Babe Ruth Reel

circa 1930s. An original countertop mutoscope. The outside has been nicely restored.

It features a brand new Babe Ruth reel in it that shows him hitting a home run, running around the bases and then show a close-up of him as he comes to home base.

The measurements are 8" wide, 14" deep, and 28" high. It has a lock & key.

See: Close-Up Photo of mutoscope.

Price: > SOLD

To ORDER: call 202-338-1342 (10 a.m. - 9 p.m. East Coast)
or email: durham@GameRoomAntiques.com

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Mutoscope Reels

The following reels are newly made and are in perfect condition.

The above reels fits all mutoscopes, including Clamshells, round tops and later 1940s models. The only mutoscope that the reels don't work are the very rare mutoscope where you view the images in a mirror.

To Order, go to SECURE ORDER FORM
or call 202-338-1342 (10 a.m. - 9 p.m. East Coast)
or email: durham@GameRoomAntiques.com

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"Original" Mutoscope Marque Poster

From the Mike Munves Company in 1960 or early 1970s who operated Mutoscopes in the NYC area until they went out of business in the 1970s. It is generic so that it can be used with all subjects. It has a yellow background and is entitled "Old Time Flickers - Real Movies" and show the operation of the mutoscope. (see photo B-21 below) Heavy construction paper weight, 10 3/4" x 19 7/8"

Price is $49 each plus $4.95 shipping

To Order, go to SECURE ORDER FORM

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Decorating Your Gameroom

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History of the Mutoscope

The mutoscope is a coin operated, hand cranked, animated picture machine. When you insert a penny and turn the crank, a small bulb lights up and a reel of still photos fall one by one in front of the viewer into which you look.

Approximately 850 still photos with blank cards in between them are on the mutoscope reel. They are printed from about fifty feet of regular movie film.

Introduced in 1895, the mutoscope was one of the most popular and profitable machines in the penny arcade. Its popularity was so great that in just one location in New York City in 1903, the arcade owner took in over $100,000. Marcus Loew, the theater chain magnate, apparently made his fortune in setting up mutoscopes and penny arcades. Unlike most other kinds of amusement devices, the mutoscope was popular well into the 1950's.

The feature that makes the mutoscope so popular is the viewer's ability to control the speed of the showing and even stop it for a few seconds to get a closer look. It also fulfills the deep-rooted desire that we all have to "peek" through and see something we maybe shouldn't see.

The most popular reels were the "Girly Shows," especially those with alluring titles that virtually always promised more than they delivered. Wouldn't you be enticed by such titles as: French Dressing, X-Ray Gown, Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath. Although there was no censorship board for mutoscope reels like there were for movies, the International Mutoscope Company made sure that the morality squads, which were in vogue in those days, would not attack the appropriateness of this type of entertainment.

The comic reels were the next most popular subjects. Here again the titles were enticing: "He Broke Her Heart, She Broke His Neck;" "The Great Spaghetti Eating Contest;" "Rival Piano Wreckers." Other popular subjects included westerns and sport subjects.

The early mutoscopes were large cast iron cases that had the appearance of a clamshell and were referred to as "Clamshell Mutoscopes." Later models were sleeker and more modern in design.

For a list of Mutoscopes & Reels for Sale scroll to the top of the page.

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Ken Durham
GameRoomAntiques
909 26 Street NW
Washington DC 20037
For Orders Only: 202-338-1342
All others, please email: durham@GameRoomAntiques.com
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