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by Bill Howard
The only known example of this penny drop baseball game came to
me at the Fall, 2008, Chicagoland Show via the parking lot early Friday
morning thanks to the watchful eye of friend, Tom Gustwiller, who always
looks after his friend, Willie the Crumb. He spotted it and thought I might
be interested as a collector of coin-operated baseball games. He steered
me to dealer-collector Ed Smith of Pecatonica, ILL. who obtained the
machine about twenty five years ago from friend Johnny Frantz of target
game fame. Frantz had acquired the machine from Tom Watling or Walt Tratsch, who obtained it from
old friend, Charlie Fey. It seems that these old pioneers had discussed revamping Fey's machine, but had
never got it done. See Slot Machines, by Marshall Fey (Sixth Edition) on page 83.
With this background, Ed acquired the machine with no award paper for the bottom, but with the
baseball background fully intact, though somewhat faded . Enter historian Dick Beuschel, who showed
Ed an old picture with the Fey baseball machine in it. From this picture, Ed was able to recreate the
bottom award card.
Happy as a clam, I struck a deal with Ed and carried the machine to my car, after having it photo-
graphed for a C.O.C.A. article .
The machine has all the earmarks of an early Fey machine. Simple and basic, with sheet steel that pre-
dates the age of the aluminum stimulators. What is wonderful about this baseball gem is the background
of the pin play field . The style of uniform, as well as the type of play field and the umpire behind the
pitcher is terrific. Two kids climb the top of the fence for a free look, while a policeman looking like a
Keystone Cop chases a stray dog out of left field with a billy club. Because of these graphics, baseball
game historian Dr. Mark Cooper dates this machine between 1910 and 1920. Ed was advised from
Johnny Frantz that it circulated before the end of WWI.
I would like to hear from anyone having knowledge of this machine . And, thanks to Tom Gustwiller,
crumbs can still drop in the Chicagoland parking lot.
Web Site
E-Mail: Jbgum@msn.com
www.Mutoscopeman.com
CEL: 262-203-0036
8LOT8 OF FUN
BUYING VENDING COLLECTIONS
BUYING TRADE STIMULATOR COLLECTIONS
LARGE OR SMALL ... I BUY THEM ALL
JACK FREUND
P.O. Box4
Springfield, WI 53176
8
CALL ANYTIME
262-723-7341
352-854-9242