tion by Arnold explaining how he began collecting coin
operated and mechanical music machines. Following
Arnold's remarks, the group was encouraged to enjoy all
of the machines in this incredible collection, not just by
viewing, but also playing these marvelous machines.
Music was non-stop in the two-story music room as
Jack Breen assisted with demonstrating the wonderful
collection of band organs, orchestrions, and mechanical
music machines. A favorite of many in the group was the
animated Decap Robot Organ which was played multi-
ple times. The arcade collection featured machines from
the cast iron era, including Mutoscopes and strength
testers, a room of English arcade machines featuring
several Working Models, and an extensive collection of
mechanical and electro-mechanical arcade games dat-
ing from the 1920's to the end of the electro-mechani-
cal era. All of the machines were lit and operational for
our conventioneers to enjoy, and enjoy they did as the
sounds of pinballs and arcade games emanating from
the huge arcade room were reminiscent of the bustling
arcades of a bygone era. One machine that drew a lot of
interest was the Mold-A-Rama, a 1960's coin operated
machine that molds a souvenir plastic toy in seconds as
you watch. Several members were seen carrying freshly
molded rockets as they toured the collection.
A short ride to Bolton, Connecticut brought us to our
dinner stop, Georgina's Restaurant and Banquet Hall,
for a nice buffet dinner before the ride back to Natick.
Friday was quite a first day, but it was just the beginning
of a great convention.
Saturday morning began with a tour of the collec-
tion of Mike and Carol Galvin, a diverse collection
wonderfully displayed throughout their home, featuring
early floor model penny arcade machines, early gam-
bling machines, vending, and service machines. The
emphasis on figural cast iron was evident with excellent
examples of early strength machines, such as a Howard
Uncle Sam, a Mickey Finn, and a Tiger's Tail Puller,
as well as several other figural items displayed on the
walls. Along with the great arcade collection, there was
also a wonderful collection of advertising filling every
available space within their home. With salesman's
samples, early tin litho and reverse painted glass signs
featuring tobacco, beer, and whiskey, trade signs, and
folk art pieces, as well as Boston related items, it was
a fascinating collection that Mike and Carol have put
together.
After viewing Mike and Carol's collection, it was
time for lunch at Blue Ginger, Celebrity Chef Ming
Tsai's award winning restaurant in nearby Wellesley,
Massachusetts. Following the delicious buffet lunch, it
was on to the home of Ken and Sandy Goldman to view
their wonderful collection of orchestrions, music boxes,
automata, slot machines, and items related to the time of
the orchestrions.
With the collection displayed in multiple rooms
within their home, Ken, Sandy, and their son Alex, all
participated in demonstrating the music machines, ex-
plaining their workings and histories, and answering
questions. The large music room was the focal point
for the collection with rare mechanical music machines
lining the room, a loft dedicated to the gambling and
arcade machines, as well as a group of carrousel ani-
mals, and a fine collection of rare advertising signs and
posters displayed on the walls. Ken's interesting stories
of how he acquired many of the music machines provid-
ed insight into how he built this marvelous collection,
and the chance to hear these rare machines play their
beautiful music was priceless. A real treat was getting
to watch the intricate movements of several automata in
his world class collection as Ken narrated the stories of
these rare mechanical marvels.
Then it was back to the hotel for a little rest and
a quick change to get ready for the Saturday evening
event, a Boston Harbor dinner cruise aboard the Spirit
of Boston. The weather was perfect as we boarded for
what was a really fun evening. With the buffet dinner
served as soon as the boat left port, there was plenty of
time following dinner to party on the dance floor, min-
gle with fellow conventioneers, or just relax enjoying
the beautiful lights of the Boston skyline.
Sunday brought the close of the convention, but not
before a visit to the home of Julius and Patty Sciarra
to view their fun collection of everything coin-op and
more. With slot machines, trade stimulators, vending
machines, arcade pieces, pinballs, and jukeboxes, there
was plenty of coin-op to view. Their game room, with
nice examples of a Basketball Champ, Evans Bowler,
Williams Ten Pins, a full size Skeeball machine, diggers
and some modem pinball machines was definitely laid
out with some fun evenings in mind. The collection also
includes a full-size soda fountain and a great collection
of soda fountain collectibles. Julius also set out some
items for sale in the garage, and several members left
with new treasures in hand.
Now that the 10th annual COCA Convention is be-
hind us, planning is underway for next year's conven-
tion in the Boca Raton/Fort Lauderdale area of Florida.
Dates have not been set, and there are still a lot of details
to be worked out, so watch for future announcements as
plans are finalized. Hope to see you there!
more photos on next page
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