Classic Mode

Coin Slot

Issue: 1974 October 002

Coin Slot
Magazine
- #002 - 1974 - October
[International 1974
Arcade Museum]
THE
COIN
SLOT
OCTOBER
ISSUE 2
On this months cover is a photo of the Edison Eclipse
coin operated phonograph, forerunner of the modern juke
box.
This Ufrji particularly rare and desirable machine.
It dates from 1909; <%nd originally cost $65, FOO. B. Or
ange, N. J. Since at mis point in our history the country
did not have a standardized voltage, in fact most of the
country still did not have any electricity at all, the Edi
son phonographs were available to work on 125 volts D. C.,
104-110 volts A. C. (60 cycles), and 2 volts DeC. , which
was run by batteries.
All the models came with rubber
hearing tubes, and had optional at extra costs a 24 inch
horn and crane.
Also optional was a coin slot for any
other size coin than a penny, which was standard.
In ad
dition to the above mentioned electric machines, there
were also available two spring driven coin op units.
For
more information on the Edison machines see the book
review on page 3.
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In the center of this months issue is a reproduction of
an ad for the huge Mills upright slot machines, circa 1901.
At additional cost these machines were available with a
music box attachment that played a tune each time the han
dle was pulled.
This was done to circumvent the anti-
gambling laws, the theory being that the customer was
actually paying for entertainment, and the gambling was
incidental. As another ad states (not shown in this issue):
M... Chicago... Machines are equipped with fine Swiss 8
air music boxes, which play one air for each nickel played
in, so constructed that music can be shut on or off by turn
ing handle on outside of case; a good feature if you are run
ning on the quiet, at night, or on Sunday/'
om
m.c
:
u
m
e
can be expected, were f very
mus Boxed for shipping they
d ro de heavy.
-
e
d
weighed in at between
rca and 415 lbs. , depending onthe
nloa w.a 340
model. Dow
w
://w were so successful that the Mills Co.
p
These machines
t
t
h
These huge machines were quite sturdily made, and as
advertised: ". . . deposit the price of a machine with your
Express Agent and guarantee charges both ways, and we
will send you one on five days1 trial.M
© The International Arcade Museum
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
-2-
Coin Slot
Magazine
- #002 - 1974 - October [International
Arcade
Museum] ISSUE 2
THE
COIN
SLOT
OCTOBER
1974
EDISON COIN-SLOT PHONOGRAPHS
Regardless of the field of collecting, all antique collect
ors do have atleast one trait in common: we want to know
when, where, and by whom our treasured objects were made.
The original cost is another factor that usually intrigues us.
Since most of the items we seek were constructed after 1850,
this task is not an impossible one, and is often aided by look
ing through old catalogues. The reprints of the old Sears and
Mo ntgomery-Ward books are often very useful for this pur
pose.
Allen Koenigsberg, editor and publisher of The Antique
Phonograph Monthly, has done all of us a service by re
printing a catalogue that none of us are likely to come across
in the original: the 1906 edition of Edison Coin-slot Phono
graphs. This twenty page soft covered booklet has nine il
lustrations of period coin-op phonos and related items.
Five different model are shown and discribed, including
those powered by A. C., Do C., and battery current. Spring
driven units are also pictured. Each item is shown and dis
cribed to the minutest detail, including price, dimensions,
weight and optional equipment.
Anyone who has never seen one of these "gems" in the flesh
and questions the sturdiness of their manufacture can't help
but being impressed by discriptions such as this one of the
Edison Eclipse Phonograph (pictured on this months cover):
11.. .quartered oak cabinet, antique finish, highly polished,
square top, fitted with bevel glass, and beveled French
plate glass mirror in the back of the interior..."
If antique phonos are your bag we strongly suggest that
you send Allen $3e95 for this informative book. His address
is: 3400 Snyder Ave., Brooklyn, N,Y. 11203. Incidentally,
Allen also has reprints of some twenty other old talking ma
chine publications. If you are interested in a free copy of The
Antique Phonograph Monthly, just sent Allen a SASE with
m investment that
It is a twenty
co cent
.
m
:
u
from -muse
********
d
e
e
d
loa interested
WANTED: Always
rcad in buying old slot machines. Also
n
a
.
w
w
Do a "hot
want to buy
machine" with red light on top.
If
ww peanut
/
/
:
p
t
the price is
right,
will
pick
up
within
100
miles
or
so
of
New
t
h
twenty cents postage on it.
we strongly reccommend.
YOrk City. Write: Les Druyan. 681 Sherman cT. Westbury,
New York. 11590.
Thankyou.
© The International Arcade Museum
-3-
http://www.arcade-museum.com/

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