Coin Slot

Issue: 1980 May 063

Coin Slot Magazine - #063 - 1980 -May [International Arcade Museum]
JSethrs fo ffie Cditor
Dear Mr. Bueschel or Mr. Harris,
FRONT VENDER. The only problem is that
Guide No. 99 isn't scheduled for publication for
My husband and I would like to purchase the
a while, but at least it's in the works.
manual in the Coin Slot Guide Series that would
tell us about our machine. We do not know what
Editor
we have. We understahd it was made in 1935,
it is a 10c machine, it is a Mills, the serial number
is 233062, you can get a free play on this machine.
We would like you to pick out the manual that
would tell us what machine this is.
I have enclosed
a check for $26.95 for the manual and a years
subscription to the Coin Slot.
Gentlemen:
Thank you for your prompt reply to my pricing
guide request.
After checking the Watling machine listings I am
I have also enclosed a picture. On the picture I
have placed a number 1 and 2; across from number
1 there are 8 Christmas trees, across from number
2 there is a bell with the year 1776. On the top
there is an owl in a starburst design. We hope
a little confused.
My machine is a Watling Roll-A-Top Twin Jack
Pot model, however, the listings show a twin
Jackpot Bell Machine and a Roll-A-Top Bell
Machine and nothing on a combined Roll-A-Top
Twin Jackpot.
you'll be able to identify this machine, not a
library or bookstore in Michigan has been able to
help us in the year we've been searching. Also
if you think you've identified the machine what
is an approximate value, the insurance company
I would appreciate a little enlightenment.
Am enclosing s self addressed stamped envelope
asked for a rough estimate, we have no idea.
if you can help me out.
Anxiously awaiting your reply,
John A. Sykora
Jacqueline Jane Budde
Dear John;
Dear Jacqueline;
Guess what? Your machine is a Watling ROL-A-
Something went goofy somewhere, but we can't
find the picture you mention in your letter. With
out that we're not really sure what machine you've
got and can't send the guide.
TOP "Twin Jackpot", and for that matter they
all are. Only a few rare models of the ROL-A-
TOP line didn't have jackpots, so in the main
they were all "twins".
It just isn't carried in the
name.
But... we do have some clues. The serial number
of 233,062 right off the bat says it is a machine
made by The Mills Novelty Company in 1929. So
that's a beginning. The description of the owl on
the top and the bell on the front suggests it is the
1929 OPERATOR BELL.
In fact, if you're interested in the model variations
and the history of the machine --'plus some data
on how to repair and maintain -- you'll want Coin
Slot Guide No. 9 for the Watling ROL-A-TOP.
It's $7.45 postpaid from Coin Slot Books.
It
shows the twin jacpot models as well as the very
But we're confused about the/'Christmas trees"
and the "free play" feature. Sounds like it could
rare and prototype vender and O.K. models.
Editor
.com
m
u
e
be a 1929 FREE PLAY OPERATOR BELL, and
:
rom -mus
f
d
e we're
de If c it's ad right,
So we're sending you a a
copy.
o
l
r
n
a
right. But if it's w
wrong, send . it back and we'll
Do or // send
refund the money
you the right guide,
www
:
p
t
t likely possibility being Coin
with the only h
other
that means it's covered in Coin Slot Guide No. 17.
Slot Guide No. 99 for the Mills FREE PLAY
© The International Arcade Museum
Dear Mr. Harris;
I am enclosing a photo of a race machine I ob
tained, along with a page from an old Catalog of
Vending and Amusement Machines, this is the
first time I have ever seen this particular machine.
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
Coin Slot Magazine - #063 - 1980 -May [International Arcade Museum]
JSeiters to tfie Cdifor
I know it is called "Official Sweepstakes", but,
Dear Mr. Harris;
do not know; What Company made it? Anybody
who might have parts or is able to restore this
Can you tell me what the machine in the photo
machine?
is and about how much it is worth?
As you can see from the photo, I have about three
quarters of the machine, and I have been able to
clean it up some -- and I have even managed to
get the insides working to a good degree, but
will need more information about the machine and
hopefully, the missing parts.
Serial number and patient numbers are on the
back of the photo.
It takes nickels.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
I would appreciate any information you can
send, I am enclosing a SASE for return of the
photo and catalog page, as this is the only original
photo of this machine I have.
Thanking you in Advance, I am,
Herb Wilson
Dear Herb;
It's two machines in one!
It started out as the
Jennings OPERATOR BELL "Dutch Boy", and
the serial number 60,367 suggests a date in the
Sincerely,
late middle 1920s; around 1927 or so.
Jack W. Nannery
It's the front that makes it different. That's the
Dear Jack;
Rockola RESERVE JACKPOT front of 1930.
This version is illustrated and described in detail
Aha! Another Rockola OFFICIAL SWEEP
in the Vol. 1 "100 Most Collectible Slot Machines"
STAKES has surfaced.
available from Coin Slot Books for $13.70 postpaid.
It's a great machine and
one of the cleverest of the trade stimulator race
games.
It is a 1935 machine.
When you get the price guide you'll also get the
latest pricing update booklet free. Prices change
a lot so we have to keep updating the supple
We hate to put you on hold, but we're racing
ments.
like crazy to catch up with the demand for liter
by itself for $3.00.
Incidentally, the supplement is available
ature and date on the hundreds -- actually thou
sands -- of different slots and trade stimulators
that were made in the past.
Editor
But you should know
that the Rockola OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES will
be covered in the volume 2 "100 Most Collectible
Trade Stimulators ... " book now being wrapped
up (but probably won't be published until late
in the year or early next year) and that it is
scheduled for its own Coin Slot Guide No. 94.
It's hard to say when that'll be ready, but we're
moving along pretty rapidly on this series as
Guide No. 24 is already at the printers.
We're returning your catalog sheet and photo
right away *Much as we'd like to publish them
with this letter we don't want to run the risk of
losing valuable and original material. So if you
com
.
m
:
u
to send us something to publish along
om with m your
use
fr print
d
-
letters please send a duplicate
or
or
photo-
e
e
d
loa hard
cad track of
state or something. n It's
to
r keep
a
.
w
o
w
things when D
you send the
out as we do,
ww printing
/
/
:
p
and we know how
treasured some of these
t
t
h
pieces can be to collectors.
(or any other readers for that matter) would like
Editor
© The International Arcade Museum
http://www.arcade-museum.com/

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