Coin Slot

Coin Slot Magazine - #077 - 1981 - July [International Arcade Museum]
The Coin Slot
Where We Were
Where We Are
Where We Plan To Be
WHERE WE WERE
The Coin Slot magazine began approximately seven
years ago as a response to the needs of collectors of
antique slot machines and other coin operated mech
anical devices. In the early days, The Coin Slot was a
news letter where collectors could exchange ideas
and information on the old machines. The information
was accumulated mainly through experience because
at that time little if anything at all had been formally
written about the machines. Few if any of the old
manuals had surfaced and no one was doing any real
research
into the advertising which had originally
accompanied the machines. People were not wanting
to admit that they had machines because the mere
possession of them in the early years was hazardous
because of the Johnson Act.
The hobby of collecting slot machines and other
related machines differed from other collectible hob
bies because of the legal situation involved. The small
band of collectors had a very special fellowship. They
were close and guarded each other's identity with
fierce loyalty. The Coin Slot was an instrumental tool in
their line of communication.
The growth in both the number of collectors and the
news letter was slow; a natural progression developed
in the two areas and the news letter became a maga
zine as the hobby expanded and the number of
collectors doubled and then tripled. It became obvious
to the staff of The Coin Slot that the collectors were
becoming more sophisticated and were in need of
in-depth
information
on
machines—history,
descriptions, current market value, restoration tips
and so on. Authors were encouraged to share their
knowledge and many began involved campaigns of
research.
The area of mechanical collectibles and related
fields expanded and new authors were solicited to
write in the fields of pinball machines, trade stimula
tors, jukeboxes, tokens, orchestrions and gumball
machines.
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The format of the magazine changed several times
during this growth period in order to accomodate the
need for more information.
Another significant position of The Coin Slot during
the past five years was to actively support those
individuals working within their state legislatures to
decriminalize the possession of antique slot machines.
In some way it must have been beneficial as the
number of states allowing the ownership of antique
slots has changed dramatically in the last five years.
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44-THE COIN SLOT
WHERE WE PLAN TO BE
In the months and years ahead of us we see the
hobby continuing to grow and change. The needs will
become more defined and even more sophisticated.
We also see more of a difference developing between
the collector of machines and the owner of a rec room
machine.
Another developing area is evidenced by the number
of people who are genuinely interested in the inter
related architectural and period items. Many people
are interested in knowing more about where the
machines were originally located — saloons, drug
stores, general stores, clubs, the red light district, etc.
We find that much of the interior decorating of the
recreation rooms, game rooms or wherever the collec
tor displays his machine has the unique appearance of
early "locations".
We will respond to this new need. The Coin Slot will
not deviate from its initial concept of being an informa
tion source for collectors of antique coin operated
mechanical devices; it will expand on that concept to
include information on arcade machines, saloon items
— such as back bars —, period pieces — such as
lamps, leaded windows, advertising —, and more.
We intend to make some more changes in our
format. One definite change in our plans is to begin
using a color cover in the months ahead. This will give
you an opportunity to collect color pictures of some of
your favorite machines.
We encourage your comments as well as your
involvement. We grow with your help and input. Send
WHERE WE ARE
more
A related position has been one of sending repre
sentatives to hearings of people who have had their
machines confiscated. Often this was the initial step in
getting a bill submitted to the legislature.
us your suggestions for future columns and feature
articles.
Where we plan to be is where you take us. Our goal is
to remain a magazine (a growing magazine) for the
collector.
List of Advertisers — July
Amusement Sales Co
Antique Amusements
page 19
page 9
Antique Slot Machine Co
Bandits
page 13
page
7
Bernie Berten
page 41
Chicago Antique Slot Machine Co
page
2
Coin Slot Books
page
3
Dave Evans
page 11
Bill Harris
page 24
J & R Saloon
Jukebox Jim
page 39
Jukebox Junction
Al Meekins
page 6
page 43
Metropolitan Advertising Show
page 12
page 10
Mills Novelty
Penny Lane Antiques
Play It Again Sam
Post-Era Books
St. Louis Slot Machine Co
Schneir
Sequin Enterprises, Inc
page
8
page 2
page 31
page 45
page 5
page 31
page 31
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
July 1981