C.O.C.A. Times

An oddball dice shaking coin operated slot
machine was priced $15,000 by dealer Alan
Sax.
model was priced $2,600 and a 50-cent
floor model machine, $5,750. At the
same spot, a 1930s Buckley Bones dice
throwing slot machine carried a price tag
of $15,000.
Pat Hamlet of Chicago Pinball shows young visitors how his Playtime Ski/Iba/I
It took just one penny to have your for-
machine works.
tune told by a countertop 1926 Mills Wiz-
Also bringing pinball games to the show was dealer ard Fortune Teller at the booth of John Mahar, Saginaw,
Kurt Hill, Hemisphere Amusements in nearby Lombard, Mich.--but with a catch -- the machine cost $2,800. At
Ill. The dealer said, "families want a game for the base- the same spot, a vintage set of 8-inch-tall 1964 Beatles
ment" and displayed ten different models priced from nodder bobbin' head dolls could rock 'n roll at your
place for $395.
$1,200 to $4,400.
Farm toy collector traffic stopped for a closer look
Finely refinished slot machines filled the booth of
at
the mid 1950s metal Farmall pedal tractor, with rub-
veteran dealer Alan Sax, Long Grove, Ill. Many folks
stopped to admire - and play - two light-up 1940s Jen- ber tires, I.H. advertising sun umbrella, and a hauling
nings Sun Chief slot machines. A quarter play countertop wagon on back. The complete set, made by Eska, was
offered for $2,750 by Dale Robinson, St. Charles, Ill.
At the same spot, a 1980s new-old-stock 3-by 10-foot
tin embossed John Deere sign could be taken home for
$850.
The father and son team of John Carini and 21-year-
old Nick traveled to the event from Milwaukee. The
senior Carini authored a Schiffer Publisher 's price book
for antique vending machines in 2002 entitled "The
Pocket Guide to Coin-Op Vending Machines, With Price
Guide." Like father like son; Nick said he has been buy-
ing and selling since he was 12 years old.
Among the dozens of Coke machines available at the
show, many stopped to check out slim line 1950s Cava-
lier 44 small bottle vendor offered by Rodney Hellemn
for $1,500. The dealer, from Buford, Ga. , also quickly
sold a Coca-Cola drag racing advertising sign for $100.
Hellemn said the sign actually was offered for sale by
Two light-up Jennings slot machines caught many an eye at
his 14-year- old daughter Brittney, who finished in the
the Chicago/and Show.
30 top five Junior Dragsters for two years straight.