Ticket Machine
ca.1902 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This machine was made to issue two differently-shaped zinc or aluminium tickets or tokens for patrons of the Pit and the Stalls at London's Alhambra Theatre in Leicester Square. The tokens, and possibly the machine, were made by the firm Accurate Check Taker Limited, which operated in Covent Garden and Soho from 1902 until 1944.
Tokens were stacked on the vertical metal columns. When people paid for admission, the handle was turned and issued the relevant token,which were shaped differently for the Pit or the Stalls. The token was dispensed into a receptacle at the base of the unit, and the 'Vernon Revolution Counter' (patented 1893) at the base of each stack recorded the numbers issued. As they took their seats, patrons handed their tokens to ushers who collected them on a rod or string before returning them to the box office where the amount issued could be cross-checked with the mechanical counter on the machine.
Tokens were stacked on the vertical metal columns. When people paid for admission, the handle was turned and issued the relevant token,which were shaped differently for the Pit or the Stalls. The token was dispensed into a receptacle at the base of the unit, and the 'Vernon Revolution Counter' (patented 1893) at the base of each stack recorded the numbers issued. As they took their seats, patrons handed their tokens to ushers who collected them on a rod or string before returning them to the box office where the amount issued could be cross-checked with the mechanical counter on the machine.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Wood and brass |
| Brief description | Ticket machine used at the Alhambra Theatre, Leicester Square, featuring the 'Vernon Revolution Counter'. Possibly made by The Accurate Check Taker Ltd. Wood and brass, ca.1902 |
| Physical description | S.145-1988: Machine for issuing tickets and tokens, constructed on an oak base with metal compartments, brass cylinders and flaps, one market PIT (left) and STALLS (right). A wire cage sits above the centre of the device; handles on each side of the unit move brass plates at the lack of the unit. The left handle is complete while the right hand handle lacks its wooden knob. S.145A-1988: Three metal prongs or columns attached by wing nuts to a metal base, for retaining stacks of tickets for the Alhambra ticket machine. With 95 metal quatrefoil tickets on the prongs. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Before telephone bookings, the internet, and ticket agencies and booths, the box office was part of the whole theatre-going experience. People would go to the theatre box office to get seats, and would be issued with either tickets or tokens. This machine produced both, one handle doing the Pit and the other the Stalls.(2008) |
| Credit line | Given by the British Theatre Museum Association |
| Object history | Given to the British Theatre Association by the Science Museum, via G.B.L. Wilson, in November 1959. |
| Production | The Accurate Check Taker Ltd. made tokens that were issued by these machines and operated from 28-29, Southampton Street, Strand, 1902-1917; 17-21, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden 1908-1930, and then 94, Wardour Street from 1931 until about 1944. |
| Summary | This machine was made to issue two differently-shaped zinc or aluminium tickets or tokens for patrons of the Pit and the Stalls at London's Alhambra Theatre in Leicester Square. The tokens, and possibly the machine, were made by the firm Accurate Check Taker Limited, which operated in Covent Garden and Soho from 1902 until 1944. Tokens were stacked on the vertical metal columns. When people paid for admission, the handle was turned and issued the relevant token,which were shaped differently for the Pit or the Stalls. The token was dispensed into a receptacle at the base of the unit, and the 'Vernon Revolution Counter' (patented 1893) at the base of each stack recorded the numbers issued. As they took their seats, patrons handed their tokens to ushers who collected them on a rod or string before returning them to the box office where the amount issued could be cross-checked with the mechanical counter on the machine. |
| Other number | 1959/W/28 - BTMA accession number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.145&A-1988 |
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| Record created | June 21, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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