C.O.C.A. Times

Issue: 2003-November - Vol 3 Num 9

( _____ T_J\._L_E_s H_oo_
sted_!_J_!_~_re~_nd_u_u_N_T
_ _ _ _ )
I'm down to the last TALES OF THE HUNT. Please send me your tale, along with a photo or two, and we
will continue with future TALES OF THE HUNT. Without YOUR story this feature will die. I'm sure we
all enjoy these stories of "FINDS; but they can only be printed here for all to enjoy if YOU send in your
TALE OF THE HUNT. Send to: Jack Freund, P. 0. Box 4, Springfield WI 53176.
You also can email stories and photos to: jbgum@msn.com
Our first tale is submitted by Roger Smith of Parkville MO.
It is a tale of DECISIONS, DECISIONS, and DECISIONS
My story unfolds almost thirty years ago, when I was still in school still dati ng my wife. We were walking
to dinner in our neighborhood on the near north side of Chicago and spotted a glass-domed object in the
window of an antique shop.
It appeared to be a coin-operated vendor of some sort and piqued our curiosity. At the
time, I probably had fewer than five machines in my embryonic collection, but the col-
lecting passion was present, if unrecognized. We went in and asked the owner if we
could see the object.
The machine was an ADVANCE MATCH VENDOR with a small crack at the base of
the globe, a minor ding near the top, and a missing cash box. It appeared to be working
and the owner was asking $20 or $25 for it. We thought long and hard. That was a lot
for us to spend at that time, and we didn't really have a collection (or so we thought).
We thanked the lady and went to dinner. Discussion about the machine occupied most
of dinner and in the end we went back and bought the machine for $15.
What changed our minds and motivated us to spend that large amount of money? We were driven by the
clear vision that this machine had to be rescued from the owner ( or someone similar) because, you see, she
had told us, "You know, you could just drill a hole in the top and make it into a lamp."
We still proudly own this machine.
SUPPORT C.O.C.A Send Us Your Ads & Articles .....
also CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE: www.coinoPclub.ors
30
( _____ T_i\_L_E_S_O_F_T_H
_ E_H_U_N_T_(_co_n_tin_u_ed_) ___ )
Our last tale comes from Herb We infield of Northbrook IL.
This is the second "Tale" submitted by Herb. Thanks Herb.
This is an unfinished tale and I'll let Herb tell you about.. ... .... .
MOVIE MAGIC
My wife and I were going to the movies. As she went to pick out the seats,
I went to get the popcorn. Would you believe, sitting on the counter in front
of the popcorn machine was a MILLS MYSTERY slot machine (I've
always called it the CASTLE FRONT). It was JUST SITTING THERE!!!
After recovering my composure I located the owner of the machine--- one
of the kids selling the popcorn! It turns out the theatre was showing "The
Good Thief' and he brought it in to hype the picture. Then he told me it
was one of a matched set:
1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent play.
My next question was "Do you want to sell these machines"? Of course he didn't want to, as they were
part of an estate, he had the rest of the family to consider, etc, etc. Not only that, but he wouldn't even give
me his name or phone number.! !
I gave him one of my cards, dangled enough money in front of him that I thought would impress a $7 .00
an hour kid and we' ll see if anything happens. Stay tuned for what could be a real find. Don't ask me what
the movie was about; I just couldn't get into it.
I came back later and took this picture. Because I am an eternal optimist I now await a phone call and a
happy ending, just like in the movies.
-- NEWS PLASH --
NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES!
Yes, you guessed it! C.O.C.A. members are all invited back to Jasper Sanfilippo's for
Friday nights meeting. If you have been there already, then nothing more needs to be said.
If you haven't, then cancel all other plans and make it a priority to attend.
No where else will you see more music machines, arcade pieces and coin-op.
However, due to a prior engagement the carousel will not be opened for this event.
A bus will be available to transport members for $5.00 each, round trip. A limited supply of
seats are available. First come, first serve. Reservations with payment can be made to
Paul Hindin or paid at the C.O.C.A. Booth. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. 45 spots available.
31

Download Page 30: PDF File | Image

Download Page 31 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.