The Three Cadets Get Around!

Jon Dean and I, along with his cousin Tamara and her husband Steve, visited the Nevada State Museum in Carson City last week. It is a great museum of state and local history, with wonderful coin and mining exhibits. Of course, what is a Nevada museum without some gaming equipment? We ran across an antique slot machine exhibit which had some very interesting pieces.

One old slot machine caught my eye. It is an oddly designed machine with beautiful graphics, entitled "Three Cadets." Note the image of the three marching soldiers. This is a beautiful device and I'm glad it is preserved so well. It was made in 1936 by Charles Fey & Co. in San Francisco. Attached to the device on the right side is a gum dispenser.


The title and the graphics triggered a synapse in my brain. I've seen those guys before. And then it struck me. This logo was on an old condom tin that I saw on eBay a long time ago. This brand was sold in the 1930s, about the same exact time when the above slot machine was in use. Condom tins are very collectible and they have a strong market. I've seen intense bidding wars on eBay going into the $500 range for rare types.


Gambling and fornication. LeDandy salutes the Three Cadets.