Brunswick & Balke

[tokens70]

Brunswick & Balke

Well, here's a good token that I found in a park, unfortunately it had been damaged long ago

 

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[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

Very cool token

In 1873, the Brunswick company merged with competitor Great Western Billiard Manufactory owned by Julius Balke to become the Brunswick & Balke Company, incorporated with a capital stock of $275,000. In 1884, another competitor, H.W. Collender Company of New York, was absorbed to form the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company with capital of $1.5 million

 

[AU24K]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

In the early part of the 1900's, Brunswick also dabbled in 78 rpm records. I sold several records to a guy in Concordia, Kansas. Brunswick also had their fingers in Motorcycles in the 80's I believe when they were involved with Harley Davidson. One more thing Brunswick is known for is bowling equipment.
Scott

 

[tokens70]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

I guess they have been pretty busy, dont they still make pool tables? Also would that date my token to before 1884 thanks, chris

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

The token refers to Murphy and Landy as the retailer.

The county records of Pierre, South Dakota reflect the following on page 117 of the below referenced site:

"Earliest Official County Records
From the minutes of the commissioners' proceedings of Dec. 3, 1880, we find the following:
On motion the county seat was located at Pierre. Licenses to sell intoxicating liquor cost $300 yearly, payable 6 months in advance.
Licenses at a later meeting were granted to D. R. Martin, August Heine,
Isaac H. West, MURPHY AND LANDY (emphasis added), Sickles & Caldwell, and others. 8
licenses were issued on Dec.8 (1880)."
My guess is the token was issued either in late 1880 or in one of the next few years to Murphy and Landy who ran a bar with a billiard parlor; equipment furnished by Brunswick and Balke.
Don.....
http://e.library.sd.gov/SodakLIVE-Docs/history/HughesCountyHistory/hughes6.txt

 

[idahotokens]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

Great attribution work, Don!
John in ID

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

Thanks John:
I learn by following in your footprints.
Don....

 

[tokens70]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

Awesome information, thanks alot! 1880's is nice!

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

The damage may have been intentional, when redeemed some were punched in some way. I have a couple that look like a ball peen hammer was taken to it. Nice!

 

[tokens70]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

What a bummer that would be.

 

[allen]

Re: Brunswick & Balke

my wifes grandmother and dad worked
at the brunswick factory in our neighboring
county and brunswick made a little bit of
everything dealing with bowling and pool.
The building is now the site of Apollo
custom choppers.