C.O.C.A. Times

Issue: 2010-July - Vol 14 Num 2

Show promoters, from left, Dawn and Kevin Greco, Sam and Penny Traynoff
along with sons Sam Traynoff, age 13, and Nicholas Greco, age 9, pause at
the booth of John Johnston, Jukebox Classics, Hawley, Pa .
"This is a fun show" chirped one youngster to his
father as the family moved down the isles of the semi-
annual Slot Machine, Juke Box and Advertising Show
held at Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Ill.
The 300 dealer event ran April 9, 10 and 11 some
35 miles west of Chicago and appeared to draw a
good mixture of serious collectors, young and old,
families and singles to "ooh and ahh" play and may-
be purchase collectables on display, priced from a
few bucks to many thousands of dollars.
Serious buyers forked over $50 for early admis-
sion on Friday while others paid $7 per person for
general admission Saturday and Sunday.
The prize for the biggest item probably could have
been awarded to Mike Russell and John Troxell , who
offered a 10-foot-long, 6-foot-tall double sided por-
celain and double red neon sign displaying the fa-
mous Mobil gas and oil flying red horse. The work-
ing device, a spinning beauty circa 1954, transported
via a custom trailer, could draw a crowd to your place
for $40,000.
Dealer Frank Zygmunt, Westmont, Ill., has
gained a reputation for coin-operated crowd
pleasers. Among the dozens of slot and mu-
sic machines he brought to the show, was
one literally head and shoulders above the
rest. The object of desire was a 1925 Mills
coin operated Music of Masters combination
horse race game and piano roll music player.
The 5-foot tall, 4-foot-long mahogany device
featured tiny metal jockeys and horses behind
glass, moving along a race track while music
played on the bottom portion. The electric/
pneumatic vintage machine could wow the
crowd at your next party for $75,000. Other
items at his booth were priced from $600 and
up.
Two of Zygmunt's customers flew 8 hours
by air to purchase -- among other things -- a
1932 Little Duke penny gambling slot ma-
chine, with gumball vendor on the side, for
$2,900. The travelers were Meriam and Jurg
Muller of Switzerland. Tt was the third time
Dealers Mike Russell (left) and John Troxell drove to the show from
Columbia, Missouri with a 6-foot-tall double sided porcelain and red
neon Mobil gas and oil flying horse priced $40,000.
28
A 1939 Little Duke slot machine was
checked over, then purchased by Merium
and Jurg Muller of Switzerland, who flew
8 hours to purchase items at the show.
the couple has
visited the show
over the years and
they called at-
tention to "good
buys on smalls
and game room
items."
Both
mentioned they
had little trouble
with the language
here saying there
were four lan-
guages spoken in
Switzerland.
It took almost
two days for dealer
Frank Hamwey to
drive to the show
Those with a taste for 1950s jukes that play 45 rpm
records checked out two offered by John Johnston,
Jukebox Classics, Hawley, Pa. The dealer pointed out
a Wurlitzer model 1900 priced at $4,850 and a Seeburg
"C" for $3,750.
from Orange Park, Fla., with a load of vintage juke box-
es. Drawing the most attention were a pair ofWurlitzers,
circa 1940s. A model 850 known as "the peacock" be-
cause of its elaborate design was priced at $17,000, and
a model 800 E priced at $7,700. Both play 78 rpm re-
cords. The 30-year Chicago show veteran said "the slow
economy has not affected me at all."
Laurie Primeau brought thousands of vintage records, and her
two pet dogs, to the show from London, Ontario, Canada.
If vintage records were needed for your "new" juke-
box, Lauri Primeau offered a selection of 1,000 titles at
the show in both 45 and 78 rpm. The dealer said 40,000
45 rpm were in stock at PrimeauMusic, in London, On-
tario, Canada priced from $3 to $2,000 each, and were
also available on-line at PrimeauMusic.com.
Erick Johnson and David Cook teamed up to show
over a booth full of vintage coin operated vending ma-
chines, transported to the show from their homes in
Phoenix, Ariz. Many browsers stopped to check out
their 1930s porcelain 30-inch-tall cop and robber gum
machine that featured animated characters for $1,200,
and a green porcelain 14-inch-tall Northwestern 33 pea-
nut machine offered for $945.
The calling card of Pat Hamlet, Chicago Pinball, Lib-
ertyville, Ill., states "Fun for Sale," and many people
stopped by his booth to check out the phrase. Among
the many offerings at his booth, an 8-foot-long wooden
1962 Skill-Ball drew lots of attention from players of all
ages. Before the show ended, the popular device, priced
at $1,200, was marked "Sold." Hamlet said he brought
a truckload of pinball and arcade games to Pheasant
Run and was happy with sales. (see next page.)
Frank Hamwey drove two days to Chicago/and from Orange Park,
Fla. , bringing along two Vintage Wurlitzer Jukeboxes priced
$7,700 and $17,000.
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