Once a common sight on British streets and in public buildings, late Victorian and Edwardian cast-iron vending machines were scrapped for their metal content as they became obsolete or necessary for the war effort.

Today there are relatively few survivors. This 6ft 2in (1.87m) high 'column and drawer' machine is particularly elaborate, with eight vertical dispensers to include Chocolate Cream, Peppermints, Throat Pastilles, Palm Toffee, Matches and Cigarettes.

It was made by Sweetmeat Automatic Delivery Company of Southwark Street, London in the 1890s. The firm closed in 1904.

Now professionally restored and repainted in a pillar box red with white detail, it proved the more desirable of two late Victorian machines offered for sale at Chiswick Auctions in West London on March 5.

Both had come from a storage facility. Estimated £800-1500, bidding for this machine reached £7500 before it sold to a collector who told the auctioneers it was extremely rare.?

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Victorian vending machine takes £7500