Pinball machine tops auction

GOOD RECEPTION: Auctioneer Brian Hayward in action at the vintage radio auction yesterday.PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER 261014WCLGAUCTION

A pinball machine attracted the highest number of bids at a special vintage radio auction at Hayward's Auctions in Wanganui yesterday.

Auctioneer Brian Hayward said 80 per cent of the vintage audio gear was sold and most of the items went to Wanganui bidders, with bakelite radios being the most popular items.

"We had a few out-of-town bidders, with one Christchurch collector making a special visit for the auction.

"The bakelite radios are popular because of their light weight and portability and the Wurlitzer Consul 120 jukebox realised $470."

The Sure Shot pinball machine went to the highest bidder at $520 while most of the radios sold at $20 to $30 each.

Gramophones, organs, records, books and spare parts also sold well at the auction which had 60 registered bidders in attendance with a further 20 people bidding in absence.

Radios and stereograms were the least popular items. Once considered attractive furniture items, they now tended to take up too much space, Mr Hayward said.

Most of the items previously belonged to Wanganui collector Jerry Barlow.