Rubin as well as Pelligrini and Mazolla were all gen-
uinely impressed. Of course we couldn't see it work
at night and there was certainly no water in the case.
We would see it the following day, in the daylight and
working.
When all is said and done, the combination of the
"intrigue factor", viewing a remarkable likeness of an
extremely rare and extinct machine, seeing it in action,
plus the sheer uniqueness of this most unusual arcade
device made me forget that it was after all a creation
- and impossible to truly authenticate.
Historically, when a machine was replicated, (Uncle
Sam; Tiger Pull; Love Tester, etc.) there was always,
with very few exceptions, a "mech" available, or parts
from another machine that could be hijacked. Other
times the case was intact, or the inner workings were
similar to another machine. There was always stuff to
steal, borrow or copy. But with the Submarine Lung
Tester, nothing existed except a dinky little two-inch
diver, a Mills description and pictures.
impossible to get and/or commands a price tag with too
many zeros. The article I wrote ("Original Machines,
Reproductions and those In Between", C.O.C.A. maga-
zine, June 2006) focused on Papa's Bow Front Electric-
ity is Life and the growing market for original arcade
machines, but also for outstanding replicas.
Whether you' re discussing a repro of the Electric-
ity is Life; the Submarine Lung Tester; Gorski Fortune
Tellers or reproductions of any high-end machine, it
is clear that unless the craftsmanship, artwork, wood
treatment, mechanisms and overall presentation is first
rate, the machine will get "Ho hums", not "oohs and
ahs". Certainly, few discriminating collectors are going
to buy someone's Frankensteinian mistake or be stuck
with something with questionable market value.
(C) Snob appeal will continue to play a role in pur-
chase decisions, especially on a rare machine - original
or reproduction. If the product is kept in small num-
bers, demand will exceed supply, prices kept high and
resale strong. If the product is too plentiful, prices will
stay low, and it will be next to impossible for any mean-
ingful
profit to be made by the creator or re-seller. Who
THE FUTURE:
What does this all mean? What market exists for such wants to buy something and have the community whis-
a product? What can we expect as far as seeing more per "what was he thinking?"
(D) At the end of the day, Darwinian coin-op survival
turn of the century machines designed and fabricated
of the fittest will win out. Only the best examples priced
with 21st century technology?
right will prevail. What Gorski created and legitimized,
(A) This will not be the last machine built from what Gronowski expanded upon, what Papa has taken to
scratch. Others may try their hand on one machine or new heights, will continue to impact growth and chang-
another. Most, I think will fail or produce a product that es to our hobby - much to the consternation of some
simply does not measure up. The fact of the matter is and gratitude from others. The way I see it, the market
that there simply are very, very few professionals with for great copies of anything truly collectible, whether
the talent, resources or experience of Papa's team. And classic vintage automobiles, Tiffany lamps or antique
if there is, especially one with a great idea, I would like coin-op machines, will continue to grow. Bob Dillon
to know. Mike Gorski and Gary Taplin are two excep- was right when he said, "Things are a changin .... "
tions. In fact, the number of great technicians who work
Sandy Lechtick, a writer and historian ( in his spare
on antique coin-op machines - and who really know
time) is also an avid collector of arcade machines, elec-
their stuff is getting smaller and smaller.
(B) There is a growing market for well-made repro- trified mechanical automatons and motion advertising
ductions and replicas, especially when the original is displays. Sandy's website is www.coinop4trade. com.
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