Description
Original Antique General Electric Prepayment 5 Cent Coin Operated Hotel Fan, details coming soon
Artist or Maker
General Electric
Medium
Cast Iron and Brass
Date
Early 20th Century
Condition Report
Very Good Original
Exhibited
Currently Mebane Antique Gallery and available for preview
Literature
The Antique General Electric (GE) Prepayment Coin-Operated Hotel Fan is a highly sought-after novelty desk fan from the 1920s. Originally deployed in hotel rooms, guests deposited a nickel (5 cents) to receive about 60 minutes of cooling, making it an early predecessor to room-based climate control. These prepayment fans are highly collectible. The coin bank door is frequently missing on original survivors, making units with complete, intact coin doors or original keys particularly valuable. Fully restored and operational units in good condition can sell on the antique market for anywhere from $2,500 to upwards of $3,250, depending on originality
Provenance
Dr. Carbone
Notes
Available for live in house bidding and pay-pick up from our gallery, Always bid with confidence with Mebane Auction. Thank you Jon Lambert
Condition
Good Original
Payments
Available payment options
Shipping Info
We DO offer in house shipping. We DO NOT provide shipping estimates. We at Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, count it a privilege to be able to service our customers through our shipping department. We have and will continue to serve our customers in all 50 states & internationally. ALL items won by bidder will be shipped through the United States Post Office Insured Mail and/or Registered Mail UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY BUYER. Buyer is responsible for paying ACTUAL shipping cost (postage AND insurance), which will be added to the buyer’s invoice as soon as the item is ready to be shipped. Some invoices are subject to a $5 to $10 packaging material fee per box. This fee is based on the size, weight and amount of items purchased. There is no charge for labor or transportation to the post office. All items, will be packaged accordingly with USPS shipping standards or standards from which the company providing service. All packages, will be shipped in a timely manner. A timeline for items shipped will not be provided. Items will be shipped in the order paid invoices are received. Bidders are always welcome to pickup at our gallery in lieu of shipping. MAAG will not arrange shipping for oversized items. It is on the bidder to find a courier or pick up at our gallery. Online Bidders: We will add shipping charges to your invoice once we have your shipping cost. Once payment for the invoice is received, we will have our shipping department package and prepare your items for shipping. That means we automatically prepare items for shipping after payment is collected. We use the address listed on your account for shipping. IF YOU NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT ADDRESS OR DO NOT NEED SHIPPING AND WILL PICK UP, LET US KNOW ASAP AFTER PAYING YOUR INVOICE. We thank you and anticipate any & every item(s) purchased from Mebane Antique Auction Gallery that requires shipping to be an easy & pleasurable experience. If you have any questions, concerns, or special shipping requests please contact Bryan at 919-563-2424. As of March 1, 2025, MAAG is not liable to handle insurance claims. If an item is damaged in transit, it is on the bidder to submit a claim through the post office: https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm. As of May 1, 2025, if MAAG needs to use a third-party shipper, it is between the bidder and third party to handle shipping, including packaging and cost. MAAG can deliver to a third party, dependent on size, but will not act as liaison between bidder and third party.
