by B.J. Pawlaczyk of Au Gres, Mich. The made-in-
Muskegon, Mich ., cast iron and wood contraption, with
a foot pedal rotating putting green, offered four balls
per play. You could sharpen your game in the comfort of
your own home for $9,000 -- and l O cents per round.
Vending machine collectors stopped to admire the
24-inch tall porcelain gum vending machine, complete
with an animated figure of the 1920s famous cartoon
character, The Yellow Kid, priced at $4,500. Later in
the show, dealer Art Herzog of Saginaw, Mich., marked
it sold.
Not all counter top vending machines at the show
were of the gumball and peanut variety. Randy Raz-
zoog of Grand Rapids, Mich., showed off a 12-inch-
tall 1930s aspirin vendor, with colorful original decal,
priced $1,595 that gave the customer a small tin of the
headache pills for just a nickel. Razzoog said he had
been showing at Chicagoland for so many years he was
"part of the fixtures."
Small fries seemed to be drawn to the booth of Bill
and Jan Berning of Genoa, Ill., where they stepped on
a variety of vintage scales and weighed themselves for
just 1 cent. On display was a Jennings 1920s lolli-
pop scale priced $1,200 and a Watling Tom Thumb for
$400. The couple also brought along their pet minia-
ture pinscher dog Dixie who enjoyed the attention of
the youngsters.
Another draw for youngsters was "a corral" of life-
size coin operated ponies, brought to the show by Rick
Dynek of Coin-Op Rides, Milwaukee, that could enter-
tain and be ridden on at home for $2,495 and up.
More ride-on-collectables were shown by Blue Moon
Bikes Ltd. of Sycamore, lll. They included a 1951 Sch-
winn Black Phantom priced $2,300, four different Sch-
winn Sting Rays priced from $500 to $ 1,500 each, and
a restored 1965 Cushman Eagle motor scooter marked
"sold" at $6,000.
"We traveled five days to get here from California"
said Bud Meyer, adding "we shopped at many spots
along the way." Meyer offered an all original Charles
Fey Rock-A-Way Coin operated trade stimulator that he
said was "one of four known that has been in Califor-
nia for all its life" for $3,000. Boothmate Carl Lepiane
priced a cast aluminum Puritan Bell trade stimulator,
circa 1920s, for $925.
Some dealers combined selling with other activities.
Bruce and Donna Weir of Effingham, Ill., also were
promoting their semiannual Indy Advertising and Toy
Show, scheduled March 16 and 17 in Indianapolis, Ind.
At Chicagoland, the couple offered an 18-inch-tall pair
of 1890s Ferrell Ice Cream Shop figures at $675 for the
pair, and a 24-inch-diameter Hoods Milk porcelain ad-
vertising sign with cow illustration for $8,000. Bruce
said, "Many of the dealers here offer similar items
shown at Indy and we've received lots of interest in
welcoming those dealers to our event in Indianapolis."
People who wanted to take home some knowledge
about the coin-op collecting hobby had a chance to pur-
chase a new book "Reel Amusement," by author/col-
lector Tom Gustwiller of Ottawa, Ohio. The author was
on hand to autograph the 176-page full color hardbound
book, available for $75 each.
When all was said and done, it appeared that more
dealers of those who were polled found the Chicago-
land show was "a great selling event" while a smaller
number said it was "just ok."
The spring semi-annual Antique Slot Machine, Juke
Box and Advertising Show will be held March 31 and
April l in St. Charles, Ill .
Dealers can get information from co-promoter Bob
Traynoff at l-847-244-9263. Show information also is
available from co-promoter Kevin Greco at 1-815-353-
1593 and at www.chicagolandshow.com .
Show Promoters: The Traynoff and Greco Families
(more photos on next page)
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