Loheide Mfg. Co. Wizard Clock Trade Stimulator, nickel play. Loheide Mfg bought the "DeSoto" black mantel clock from Waterbury and modified it to dispense chits for redemption. At the turn of the last century, trade stimulators were common throughout the

Loheide Mfg. Co. Wizard Clock Trade Stimulator, nickel play. Loheide Mfg bought the "DeSoto" black mantel clock from Waterbury and modified it to dispense chits for redemption. At the turn of the last century, trade stimulators were common throughout the US in cigar stores, confectionaries, general stores, and just about any other point of sale location. The logic is as follows: say you stopped at the corner store for eggs, as that was all you needed. Seeing this clock, there might be a sign touting "win two packs of gum for the price of one, 5 cents". Now you don't need the gum, but the thought of getting 2 for one is irresistible, so nearly every patron would drop in his nickel and get at least a chit for one pack of gum [the standard retail transaction]. A small percentage of patrons got two packs, and were always noisy about it, adding to the excitement, c1907 the black mantel case in as found condition in original finish. Original paper dial is fairly clean for its age Hands are original. Original manufacturing tag on the case front and the original sign trying to get you to play. This is a very uncommon item. Ht 12.5"