Lot 166

Chicago Die Casting Mechanical Turtle Receptacle

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Chicago Die Casting Mechanical Turtle Receptacle

Starting Bid: $5

(0 Bids)

by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
June 17, 2026 6:00 PM EDT
Live Auction
17020 Dover Road
Dundee, OH, US 44624

A vintage mechanical turtle-shaped receptacle attributed to the Chicago Die Casting Manufacturing Company. This item, often used as an ashtray or silent butler, is constructed from cast aluminum with a black painted finish and gold-toned accents on the shell scutes. The piece features a lever-actuated mechanism where pressing down on the articulated head or the tail causes the hinged shell lid to open, revealing a hollow interior compartment. The underside of the base is marked with incised text reading PATENT 2816881 and 176107. These numbers correspond to U.S. Design Patent D176,107 issued in 1955 and U.S. Patent 2,816,881 issued in 1957, both granted to Arthur E. Reible. The underside of the neck reveals a wire spring mechanism that facilitates the lid's movement. Four circular felt pads are attached to the underside of the feet. A pink inventory label marked 166 is present on the base.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 + $500