Every jukebox is a piece of art, whether because of the artistic design or the fascinating mechanics hidden from the eye. To be the owner of a jukebox is to be a lucky one. But some models are more special than others, as are the stories behind them. Read along to find out about some extraordinary jukeboxes…
In collaboration with Claudio Gabellone - vending machine expert
The ‘nickel-in-the-slot player’
Long before the heydays of the jukebox as we know it, the first “sound machines” made their introduction into society. Of course, in the 19th century the jukebox went by the name of “nickel-in-the-slot player” and its appearance was quite different from the jukeboxes we know today. One of the first recorded stories on this kind of sound machine is from 1889, when ‘the first jukebox was installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco’. An extraordinary machine constructed by the Pacific Phonograph Society. In the absence of an amplifier, people had to use one of four tubes in order to listen to a song.
The “Bubbler”
The Wurlitzer 1015, popularly referred to as “the Bubbler”, is by far the best sold jukebox in history with an impressive 60.400 pieces.. The end of World War ΙΙ also brought an end to the shortage of materials, which is why jukeboxes designed around 1946 have such exuberant looks with spectacular light effects. Two facets made this model stand out. First, unlike other brands Wurlitzer had no intention to create a design meeting modern standards. Instead, designer Paul Fuller followed the pre-war outline combined with the clear-cut lines of modern times. Second, the marketing on this specific jukebox model exceeded all former advertising programs. With slogans like “America’s favourite nickel’s worth of fun” their advertising was directed to the big public instead of the catering sector.
Hollywood jukeboxes
One of the reasons we have all seen the Wurlitzer 1015 before is because Hollywood often used this model as a symbol of the fifties. Think “Grease”, think the Bubbler. Mid-forties, jukeboxes played about 75 percent of the records produced in America. Until the late 60s the jukebox was of extraordinary importance for the rock ‘n’ roll culture - from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry. Just like rock ‘n’ roll, jukeboxes in general where loved by youth but despised by their parents in fear of these new songs, containing sexual connotation and provocative lyrics…
Another famous Hollywood jukebox is the AMI Continental, which you can find in movies like “Natural born killers” (Continental 1) and “Ghost” (Continental 2). The television show “Happy Days” is all about the rebellious youth of the 50s and 60s and therefore equals the jukebox, showing the models Seeburg M100C and Rock-Ola 434 Concerto.
Victory in world war 2
During World War ΙΙ jukebox factories where used for the production of war related items. But somehow in 1942 Wurlitzers top designer Paul Fuller was able to produce a beautiful new jukebox: the Victory. Technically it was more like a re-production: in the absence of new materials like plastic or metal, Wurlitzer recollected old jukeboxes from which they produced the Victory. The angular shape of the cabin is now thought to be particularly beautiful, although it was merely a necessity by lack of machines to produce other kinds of cabins. Stunning glass decorations compensated for the lack of plastic.
The price of rarity
As with many collector’s items, today’s value of the most expensive jukebox models is defined by rarity. The 1927 Link model, for example, is worth about 40.000 dollars for it is one of the rarest jukeboxes on earth. The Rock-Ola President, however, holds the crown: there is assumed to be only one item left and its value is estimated at 150.000 dollars. In 2009, one of six 1940 Gabel Kuro jukeboxes was sold at an auction for an impressive 120,750 dollars.
Wish to experience the beauty and fascinating character of a jukebox yourself? Check out our auctions.