WORLDWIDE CROWDS FLOCK TO
SEMI-ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND ANTIQUE
ADVERTISING SLOT MACHINE SHOW
by jack Kelly
Once again, foreign buyers rubbed
elbows with American collectors
attending the huge semi-annual Chi-
cagoland Antique Advertising, Slot
Machine and Juke Box Show in St.
Charles, Ill., Nov. I 0, I I and 12.
But as one dealer noted, the for-
eigners definitely had the advan-
tage.
John Papa, who is noted for sell-
ing high-end coin operated devices,
said, "With the American dollar so
weak right now against the euro,
they're basically paying half price
for everything. He added, "Over-
seas buyers were very eager to buy,
and for the first time the Canadians
came in with an exchange advan-
tage. Forever it's been the other
way around. Suddenly they're in the
driver's seat."
Papa, from Mayfield, N.Y. said
the show started with a bang as he
quickly sold a " rare I 930s-40s floor
model console coin operated midg-
et auto racing game made by Pace,"
a company also known for making
slot machines and a similar horse
race game. The new owner could
race the cars at home, after forking
over $ I 2,500.
Others stopped at Papa's booth
to admire, and play, an original un-
restored 24-selection 1946 Packard
Manhattan juke box for $2,900.
One overseas buyer, Ben F. Franse
of Bennies Fifties, who traveled from
the Netherlands, is a 30-year show
veteran. The buyer filled a 40-foot
ship container with items purchased
at the show. The dealer said he "spe-
cializes in juke boxes" but also was
buying pinball machines, Coke ma-
chines and "all kinds of Americana" carved wooden Indian, complete
for his shop and showroom. When with slot machine installed in the
the show ended, the goodies were torso, offered by Bob Delong of
shipped home, a trip estimated to Johnsonburg, Pa. The Indian was
take at least three weeks.
priced at $6,995, with other figures
Weak dollar or not, American such as a knight in armor and an A l
buyers also were out in force and Capone look-alike available at the
made their presence known on the same spot.
trading floor.
Those looking for a smaller coin
Dealer B.J. Pawlaczk of AuGres, op gambling machine had thei r
Mich., who specializes in high-ticket choice of a big group of trade stim-
restored rare vintage boat motors, ulators at the booth of Al Louck of
was all smiles when a Florida buyer Oquawka, Ill. The dealer was "tuning
walked into his booth and bought up" a couple of the devices before
his entire display!
the show, saying with a smile, "there
" Michael Dezer of Classic Mo- was a time in my life that I would
tors in Miami flew to St. Charles in rather fix these than eat." Buyers
his private jet," said Pawlaczk. "He had a choice of several 1930s mod-
said he would buy everything if I els priced from $350 to $2,000.
would deliver it to Florida -- and I
" I brought two machines and sold
told him it would be my honor."
them quickly" said John Miller, who
The deal included 16 restored traveled to St. Charles from Mem-
motors and stands, a custom boat phis, Tenn., with another dealer. He
coffee table, advertising pieces and said his off-beat restored Burtmier
various other nautical items.
Pony two-reel payout slot machine
Although soldout,
Pawlaczk found a new home for $4,200 and
stayed for the entire three days, say- cast aluminum Royal Reels card
ing he "wanted to support the show game coin-operated trade stimu-
promoters."
lator brought $1,000. The seller-
Could it get any better? Lightning turned-buyer said he was " off to
struck twice as Pawlaczk visited a spend the money on something to
nearby local Illinois collector and take home from the show."
purchased an "extremely rare Evin-
Cigar smokers stopped to check
rude half-horse motorbike, com- out two items offered by Mike Rec-
plete with original paint, that looked tor of Alhambra, Calif. There was a
almost like new." He brought the choice of two nickel-plated clock-
bike back to the Chicagoland show work-mechanism cast iron cigar tip
saying, "it's the only one I've ever cutters priced at $1 ,300 and $1,500.
seen complete and it's sure catching Rector said he has been collecting
lot of looks."
for 15 years and was looking for
What could be more American "whatever I can get onto an air-
than an Indian? Well, shoppers plane" to take home from the Chi-
could take home a .life-size hand cagoland Show.
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