We are the Exclusive Manufacturer of Tip Boards in the United States. Our family owned and operated business opened in 1939 and spans four generations.

Mr. Robert F. Palmer, Sr.

Proud Tradition

Columbia Sales story began in the mid 1920’s as a one man show. Mr. Robert F. Palmer, Sr. designed and built his first ticket machine while enrolled as a correspondence student at the Chicago Engineering Works. He received his degree in Applied Electrical Engineering at the tender young age of twenty in 1926. He built his prototype ticket machine in his garage in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Mr. Robert F. Palmer, Sr. (Circa 1960)
Founder, Owner, President & CEO of The Columbia Sales Company from 1939-1963
Holder of Several U.S. Patents (2,388,443). He designed, fabricated and built by hand, the original machines still in use today at our facility.

Expansion

The success of the business allowed Mr. Palmer to purchase a building across the street from his family home in North Wheeling, West Virginia & expand his business.  Columbia Sales remained in that same building from 1939 to 2005. Today our business is located in the friendly neighborhood of Warwood in Wheeling, West Virginia.

“Pasted 10’s” (10 tickets glued together) shown in local Wheeling cigar box

Innovation and Success

Mr. Palmer manufactured “Tip Boards” by hand and soon his designs came to fruition when he and his partner applied electricity to their first of many automatic folding, banding, and mounting ticket machines in 1939. He continued to build additional ticket machines and received several United States patents for his proprietary designs.

Same Goal

Many things have changed over the decades, but our goal is to continue to manufacture quality “tip boards” at competitive prices. Three generations later, we are proud to continue what our “Gidi” started eighty-five years ago.

Sure Tip, Regular Tip & Scratched off Bulllseye Seal for display (tap photo to enlarge)
Dr. Jack Palmer, President & CEO
Jack Palmer, President & CEO
Adam Campbell, General Manager of Manufacturing & Operations
Jim Palmer, Vice President
Joe Palmer, Vice President, 1997 to 2015
John A. (Pete) Palmer, President, CEO & Owner, 1963 to 1997
Bob Palmer, Jr. Co-owner of Columbia Sales Co., 1963-1994
Columbia Sales Original Garage
The Original Columbia Sales Inc. Building - a garage with one press.
Columbia Sales Second Building
The second location, purchased in North Wheeling - across from the original garage.

COLUMBIA SALES INC.

Throughout The Years, 1939-2024

Current Building
The current home of Columbia Sales Inc.

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