1993 MADAME TARRA Arcade Gypsy Fortune Teller - Works Great! (Pick-Up in Indy)

Description

PICKUP IN CENTRAL INDIANA ONLY -- NO SHIPPING
Here's a great old penny arcade game for your collection.  It's the MADAME TARRA arcade gypsy fortune teller.  This 1993 machine is a throwback to the antique fortune teller machines that could be found in every penny arcade in the 1930s and 1950s.  MADAME TARRA is the only arcade fortune teller produced since the mid 1950s where you can watch the woman "breathe."  All "modern" (post 1950s) gypsy fortune teller machines have sound or limited animation (such as moving arms), but MADAME TARRA's chest moves up and down to simulate breathing.  Another cool feature is that MADAME TARRA's eyes move slowly up and down while she's contemplating your fortune.  Her arms are jointed at the elbows and those also move up and down.  Unlike most of the older arcade gypsy fortune teller machines which featured old, wrinkled women inside the machine, MADAME TARRA is designed to look like a younger, more attractive figure, making her appear less "frightening" to most people.  And at the end of every "reading," MADAME TARRA vends a fortune card.  This arcade machine comes with about 4000 extra fortune cards, enough to easily last a lifetime.  And these cards were specially printed for use in this machine - the top of the card reads: MADAME TARRA'S PROPHECIES."  All of these cards are unused and in mint condition.  The mechanics of this machine operate as they should.  Internally, this machine is primarily electromechanical rather than solid state, although a couple of the functions are controlled by small circuit boards.  MADAME TARRA is a lifesize fortune teller, and the entire machine is about six feet tall.  It's constructed of solid wood and is also very heavy.  The cabinet is in excellent/near mint condition with no damage.  There's a small hole in the front glass over MADAME TARRA's face; this can be seen as a "dot" in several of the photos which appears to move over her face from picture to picture, depending on the camera angle.  The hole looks like it was made by a pellet from a BB gun.  There's a wooden sign on the top of the cabinet which reads: "MADAME TARRA," and the edges of the sign are slightly worn and curled.  Years ago, I noticed that a small crack was starting to develop on MADAME TARRA'S right thumb, so before it broke off, I glued it in place and covered the area with a Band-Aid, and then put a ring on her thumb.  The game is set on 50 cent operation and uses a push-style coin chute.  The money usually registers and activates the game, but sometimes the money just drops into the cashbox without activating the machine.  The machine was produced by Thumper Bumper Amusements, a small operator in Pennsylvania.  Only a small number of MADAME TARRA machines was ever made, and those were probably built in a corner of the operator's warehouse.  However, Thumper Bumper Amusements did place several full-color, full-page ads for MADAME TARRA in
Gameroon
magazine, so this machine was marketed outside of Pennsylvania.  Because of the small production run, there was probably no schematic or manual ever produced for this machine.  Instead, there are some handwritten notes near the components on the inside of the cabinet with information about their functions.  Both keys are included here.  The machine is in the basement and must be removed by the buyer.  The cabinet is all one solid piece of wood (the legs cannot be removed, for example) so the height of the machine cannot be reduced for moving.  Payment must be in CASH ONLY at the time of pickup; no other forms of payment will be accepted.  Thanks for reading!
Sorry, but
shipping is not available for this item.
Please look at the photos and ask any questions
before
bidding or buying.  The photos are considered part of the description of this item, and the buyer will receive the item pictured in this listing.
This item must be paid for and picked up within 5 days of the close of this listing.
PICKUP IN CENTRAL INDIANA ONLY -- NO SHIPPING