Classic Mode

Coin Slot

Issue: 1978 June 041

Coin Slot Magazine - #041 - 1978 - June [International Arcade Museum]
the machine in question like possessing a 1947 automobile. The
witness valued the machine on the antique market in I Ilinois at
$500.00; on the antique market in California at $7.00.00. The
witness testified that collectors are searching all across the country
for old slot machines as collector's items. The witness is an author
of a book soon to be published all about slot machines, titled,
"Lemons, Cherries and Bell-Fruit Gum". The witness stated the
Exhibit machine would be entertaining and would create psycological
impact on its owner as a collector's item. On cross-examination the
witness described State's Exhibit No. 3 (Jennings Machine) as not a
prime piece, but would be a collector's item.
He estimated the
Brodish machine would have been valued at $250.00 in 1948 but
now is worth $500.00.
The second Defense witness was Mr. William E. Harris from
Wheatridge, Colorado, who is the producer of the Newsletter,
"Coin Slot", which is published one time per month. He testified
that people are looking to collect all types of coin operated ma
chines and that he carries advertisements for machines like these
and his newsletter circulates in Illinois. The witness stated that
people collect machines like the one removed from Dr. Brodish's
basement because they are fascinating machines. That the machines
have individual characteristics and will continue to appreciate
in value. The witness valued the Brodish machine at $500.00.
The third witness was Mr. Larry Lubliner whose address is 1917
W. Belmont, Chicago, Illinois.
He stated he is in the antique
business in Chicago. The witness stated he has experience in trading
in slot machines.
He stated that he trades with collectors and
antique dealers in various States that he buys machines and sells and
ships them to buyers. The witness stated that all kinds of people
buy them for pleasure. The witness identified Exhibit 10A and 10B.
Pages 71, 72, 75, 76, 78, 81, 85, 86 and 87 of the publication entitled
"Antique Trader", have specific ads for slot machines like the one
Dr. Brodish had in his basement. The witness placed the circulation
of the paper, "Antique Trader", in Illinois to be 100,000. The
witness valued the Brodish machine at $500.00. The witness identified
Exhibit 11C as a small slot machine readily available to anyone in
novelty shops in Illinois. The witness stated there was no difference
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between the novelty slot machine and the Brodish machine, except
historical difference. The witness identified Exhibit 11D as a deck
of cards that are "recreational" except when used to gamble then
Exhibit No. 3 (Jennings Machine) as a collector item and would
not be used for profit today.
© The International Arcade Museum
41
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
Coin Slot Magazine - #041 - 1978 - June [International Arcade Museum]
The Defendant's final witness was Carolyn Brodish, the Defendant's
wife. She stated that the machine had been possessed for 3 or 4 years
in the home. The machine was kept as a conversation piece and as an
investment that was expected to appreciate in value. Mrs. Brodish
stated the machine was kept in their sons art room and had a glass
jar of dimes kept next to the machine along with the key to the
back of the machine. She stated that dimes used in the machine
were old worn coins, the only kind that worked well in the machine
and that was the reason for the glass jar of old dimes. Mrs. Brodish
stated that no one in the family ever used the machine as a gambling
device to get any money back from the machine. She denied that
the machine was ever used for gambling purposes. She stated on
cross-examination that the family had other antique items such as
an old telephone, an old school bus, and an old rifle. She stated she
eventually was going to get around to clean and shine the old slot
machine.
The State's Attorney offered rebuttal evidence from Tom Fisher.
Mr. Fisher, the Jail administrator, identified certain other slot
machines that had been taken in a prior raid by the Sheriff of Marion
County, on Meadow Woods Country Club. State's Exhibit No. 3
was identified by Mr. Fisher as one of these machines (a Jennings
Model). The witness stated that these types of machines recovered
from the Country Club are used for revenue purposes, although on
cross-examination it appeared that the witness was not necessarily
talking about a type of vintage machine like that taken from the
defendant.
The State then rested and the Defendant rested.
ORDER OF DISMISSAL
While the Centralia Police were purportedly assisting firemen in
the detection and suppression of a fire at the defendant Brodish's
home, a "slot machine" was seized and thereafter Brodish was
charged by Information with the offense of gambling.
Chapter 38, III. Rev. Stat. Sec. 28-2, provides
in part: "(a) A 'gambling device' is any . .. slot
machine . . .' (and): Chapter 38, III. Rev. Stat.
Sec. 28-1, provides in part' (a) A person commits
gambling when he: ... (3) owns . . . any gambling
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U.S. Constitution, the rights of privacy, and due process guaranteed
by the U.S. Constitution which are applicable to the States pursuant
© The International Arcade Museum
42
http://www.arcade-museum.com/

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