Traveling Show
finds new fields
for coin machines.
By WILLIAM J. McNULTY
10
COIN
MACmNE
J'IEVIEW
Coin machines and showmans hip
have been combined with remarkable
s uccess during the past few years by
one of the industry's oldest distributors.
Frank Elliott of Amherst, Nova Scotia, is
a veteran of the trade and may be cred-
ited with foresight and ingenuity in de-
veloping new ideas and fields for coin
machine operators.
One of Elliott's most recent exploits
has brought him an invitation to the
"Believe-It-Or-Not" Odditorium to be
conducted by Robert Ripley at the New
York World's Fair. The famous cartoon-
ist invited Elliott alter learning of his
"longest tow without a motor" excursion
that extended from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.
The trip was made by Elliott in an old
model T Ford, from which the motor had
been removed. In its place Elliott and
his companion, George A. Scott, had
s towed their suit cases. In the back of
the vehicle, were several samples of
coin machines, used for demonstration
along the route between Halifax and
Vancouver.
In the opinion of Elliott, it was an
excellent way to test new territory-'-
and economical too. Five thousand
miles without a gallon of gas is the
story, and he slicks by it. So much so
that he is seriously contemplating the
trip to Ripley's collection of "hard to be-
lieve facts." The motorless jalopy will
go along, of course, but it hasn't been
stated whether it will be a hitch-hike
tow , or by using more certain methods
of transportation.
A previous adventure, that proved in-
teresting as well as lucrative for Elliott,
was a trip into the most distant inhab-
ited regions of the North American con-
tinent. Visualizing new and greener
fields , not to mention his urge to travel
a bit, Elliott, who has long been a dis-
tributor and operator throughout the
maritime provinces of New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island,
chartered an auxiliary schooner and
sailed for Newfoundland. Aboard with
him were his wile and young son.
More than the display of various types
of coin machines, was planned for this
venture. A tent housed the collection of
pin-ball games, jackpots, music mach-
ines as well as weight machines and
gum, candy, and cigarettes. There were
concessions for ice cream, soft drinks
and candy. And, to attract the attention
of the entire family, a small merry-go-
round was set up.
The show angle was stressed at all
times and the natives in the small fish-
ing centers in this rather distant land
welcomed the unusual form of enter-
tainment. Hungry for amusement, the
Newfoundlanders opened their purse
strings and enjoyed themselves.
Although his entertainment was wel-
comed at every place he stopped, Elliott
stayed only a few days at each port.
In this manner he covered most of the
Newfoundland coastal centers.
Their next port of call was the bleak
islands of Saint Pierre-Miquelon, a
French colony, for many years used as
a base for liquor smugglers. Like New-
foundland, fishing is the basic industry.
Three weeks were spent at Saint
Pierre-Miquelon. The members of the
crew, many from smuggling vessels, that
MAILING LISTS
Newly compiled lists of OPERATORS. Worth
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1,500 Texas Operators _ _ _ _
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298 California Operators ............................ 2.00
154 Tennessee Operators ............................ 1.00
92 Louisiana Operators ............................ 1.00
108 Oklahoma Operators ............................ 1.00
112 Florida Operators .................................. 1.00
185 Mississippi Operators .......................... 1.25
/~f f:i.':.'~~s g~:~:t~~! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I:~
273 Operators in Colorado, Utah, Ida-
ho, Arizona, New Mexico, Wash•
ington Montana ...................................... 1.75
292 Operators in Virginia, West Va. ,
N. Car., S. Car., Alabama, Wash-
ington, D. C ......................... _.................... 2.00
130 Kentucky Operators ............................ 1.00
200 Missouri Operators ............................ 2.00
The above States total 3,617 names. This en-
tire list may be had for. $17.50: Send. r!mit-
tance with your orders. Losts mailed w1th1n 48
hours after orders received . Also Eastern lists
may be had.
SUPREME PRODUCTS CO.
333 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
provided good wages, welcomed enter-
tainment and a place to spend their
money.
In opening new coin machine fields ,
Elliott benefited not only himself but
the industry. He has to his credit Prince
Edward Island, Newfoundland and Saint
Pierre-Miquelon. Previous to his recent
trip he introduced machines in many of
the Nova Scotian countries.
Thus the "Short Man", as he is known
in the ~egion that he works, is a leader
in his field. It is the work of men like
Elliott in districts that many operators
w ould definitely shun as unprofitable,
that helps to prove the unlimited possi-
bilities of the industry. What will be
done in the future in these· outlying
communities is hard to predict, however,
one thing is certain-Frank Elliott will
have a hand in the development.
e
MARCH, 1939
Subscription Order
COIN MACHINE REVIEW
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35 EAST WACKER DRIVE
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Winner Soles Exponds
CHICAGO.-Due to the increased vol-
ume of business enjoyed by the Winner
Sales Company, the organization has
been compelled to enlarge its quarters,
according to an announcement made re-
cently by officials of the organization.
A steadily increasing volume of busi-
ness due to the popularity of Winner's
5-Star Final. Peckin' and Get-A-Hit jar
deals taxed ' the capacity of the former
plant. In order to maintain the high
standard of quality always ·s tressed by
the organization, new quarters were
needed.
"Winner values and deals that have
always been sure money-makers will be
better than ever," is the opinion of offi-
cials of the company, "and it is our de-
sire to thank the thousands of operators
for their confidence and friendship in the
pas t. "
e
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