Laughing Sal Laughs All the Way to the Bank
Monday May 17, 2004
A potent piece of amusement park Americana made its way out of a collector's hands and back onto a bustling boardwalk. Laughing Sal, a coin-operated device that was a popular arcade staple back in the 1940s, will once again deliver her infectious cackle to the throngs at California's Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The park paid $50,000 for the rare antique machine, considerably more than its original $360 price tag.
Laughing Sal Video-- See and hear "Lady Chortle-y" do her thing
California Amusement Parks
Comments
Hi, My family owns an amusement park, which is closing after 65 years. We have decided to retire after loss of a son and a son in law who were grooming to take over the business.
Our property has been sold and we have decided an auction is probably the best way to go since there is so much liquidate, we love the business and are sad to give it up. We made the front page of the Ney York Times last Saturday, as well as front page of our local paper the Staten Island Advance. We were on also on the local TV station New York 1 and radio station 1010 WINS. We are going out in a blaze of glory for sure; a bittersweet experience.
We were given your website by a friend who knows that part of our inventory is a Laughing Lady who was purchsed with an original Pretzel Ride way back in the 1940’s. We also have a dancing lady. The Laughing Lady comes with the original soundtrack consisting of 78 rpm records. We are interested in selling these two ‘ladies’ privately. They are still operating and longing to work again to entertain the public.
Do you have any connections who may possibly be interested in purchasing these two ‘antiques’. Their value seems unclear to us. When we first purchased them, the Laughing Lady came with a book which indicates that perhaps there were more than one style of Laughing Sal or Laughing Lady. She is sitting not standing and she shakes and laughs in a scary kind of way. We have photos of her and would be glad to forward them to you if you send us your email address. Would you have any idea of the value? We were offered bids of $5,000 but perhaps she/they are worth much more. Any information you could provide would be very helpful to us since our auction is going to be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006. We are considering leaving these two ladies out and selling them privately. Look forward to your response. Thanks in advance for your help and your interest.
Anthony Mancin
Beachland Amusements
300 Sand Lane
Staten Island, NY
1 718 981 5390
or my cell 347 563 1945.