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Coin Slot

Issue: 1981 July 077

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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© The International Arcade Museum
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
Coin Slot Magazine - #077 - 1981 - July [International Arcade Museum]
r
* * *
i
collectables and discovering the ans
wers to 1000 questions - most of which
may never have crossed your mind.
• MIUSt'hW Operator &&,§*«;*„
At last! A fingertip-handy selection from those
renowned trade ads from The Billboard
magazine that form the primary base for mod
ern day reporting on vintage coin-operated
machines! Now released in a big, permanent
volume, indexed and ready for your continuous
reference pleasure!
If you were a slot machine and counter game
operator in the golden age, The Billboard is
where you first learned of the latest models, of
special accessories, of rebuilts and revamps. If
you missed this experience the Treasury
provides you with a full review of this passing
parade.
configuration into a whole line . . . Open
Territory becomes only a memory as viable
locations are so reduced in number that
operators look to other venture for survival...
You'll be there when: The age of anonymity
accents advance play, fortune telling and
vending guises to help in securing locations..
. That old lure - the visible jackpot -is revisited
... A rash of jackpot front conversion attach
• *•!
SEND
FOR
OUR
CURRENT
RATE
CARD
I
You Will Enjoy ...
Browsing these pages is like picking a
pathway through a forest of coin slot
DISPLAY
ADS
ARE
VALUABLE
* * *
COLLECTOR'S TREASURY OF ANTIQUE
SLOT MACHINES from Contemporary
Advertising
Thousands of machines listed and priced!
Hundreds of descriptions!
ments follow. . . Lightweight counter games
begin to proliferate with appeals to low initial
cost and the convenience of portable action..
. Penny play models keep operators going in
the Big Depression ...The slug problem be
comes acute and counter measures become
700 illustrations. 600 separate ads. 480
pages. 6" x 9", deluxe hardbound, metallic
foil-stamped volume. $22, postpaid.
more sophisticated... Used Bells compete in
price with new counter games ... Two plays
are offered for one coin . . .
Slot Machines of Yesteryear Operator's
Companion series —
Each matching volume recreates the lore and
the legend of a single manufacturer's line in a
series unparalleled in depth and focus as a
Mills starts modern times with the introduction
of its. Silent.. . The decibel level in Bell play
declines generally as other makers begin to
emulate the Mills with pads and cushions...
Pin tables appear, often finding acceptance
where Bells are barred... Watling surprises all
with a highly styled coin escalation carousel..
. The wedding of a Bell mechanism with a pin
table creates most unusual machines from the
McCoy to the Flasher... Jennings establishes
a hallmark for its One through repetition of its
Indian head theme.
primary source of information for today's en
thusiast. Reproductions center, tor the most
part, on material issued directly by the single,
genuine fountainhead source - the manufac
turer. Reproduction includes a stunning array
of authentic literature and unique trade docu
ments, assembled with the cooperation of
leading archivists. All inclusive coverage is not
claimed, but each presents a wealth of key
matter tied together with original text.
Columbia introduces a mighty midget Bell with
innovative features permitting coin denomina
tion changes and low-end payouts using the
last coin received... Counter games become
ubiquitous in locations with limited play action
... Multi-coin play appears in various forms...
MILLS OF THE THIRTIES (Slot Machines of
Yesteryear series)
110 illustrations. 192 pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped volume.
$20. postpaid.
The Vest Pocket arrives to fill a vast "lunch
counter niche" never before occupied by an
automatic payout machine . . . The pedestal
"club" Bell becomes the square Bell... Then
multi-Bell variations engender the Super Bell
... Manufacturing is curtailed by World War II
MILLS OF THE FORTIES (Slot Machines of
Yesteryear series)
200 illustrations. 192 pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped volume.
$20. postpaid.
. . . Rebuilding and revamping becomes an
industry and prices soar ...The Black Cherry
inspires imitators . . .
Rebuilders view themselves as manufacturers
... Pace fills special exclusive markets... The
fun fades as operators attempt to cope with
devious players, cheating locations, hijack
ings and threats of raids . .. Counter actions
involve token ejectors, jackpot meters and
weighted safes... Mills expands its Jewel Bell
Pdst-Era Books
BOX 150 C
ARCADIA CA 91006
(All prices include shipping and sales tax)
WATLING OPERATOR'S COMPANION (Slot
Machines of Yesteryear series)
150 illustrations. 192 pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped
'
$20. postpaid.
I
FOR SALE FOR SALE FO
FOR SALS FOR SAL! PO
SLOT MACHINE COVERS - Durable cotton/dacron - Tai
lor made for a perfect fit. With 2 color logo on front
(Jennings, Caille, Mills, Pace, Watling) $9.50 EACH POST
PAID. Dealers-quantity prices. Free brochure. Bob
Zwicker, P.O. 2739, Youngstown, OH 44507 (216) 743-
I sell every slot machine book that was ever published,
send for my free list of books and articles for sale. Mr.
Russell. 2404 West 111th St., Chicago, IL 60655. (312)
233-3205.
Slot machine cabinet carriage bolts beautiful nickle plated
9733.
3/16" x 11/4" 20 for $5.00 and $1.50 postage. M&M, 18723
WRINKLE PAINTS-In Stock: Brown, Black, Red, Blue,
.com
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BUY - SELL - TRADE if it is operated
e coin, regardless
rom -m by us a machines.
of condition. All types d
of f coin-operated
Parts,
e
e
d cabinets,
d
a
mechanisms, speakers,
machines, and records,
a
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l
c
n
ar Boxes, Vending Machines.
etc. Counter
w. Juke
Dow / Games.
w
w
Arcade Machines.
Trade
Stimulators. Pin Balls, Amuse
: /
ment, Music
http Machines, etc. Tony's Trading Post, 209 East
Sunlight Lane, Hunter Town, IN 46748.
Green, Silver, Tan, Grey. Similar to original finish-hides
scratches 16oz. can - $6.00. Carton of 6 - $30.00. Post
paid, VISA, Mastercharge. Bob Zwicker, P.O. 2739, Youngs
town, OH 44507, (216) 743-9733. Free Brochure.
Pedestal stand for slot machine. Black Cast Iron $80.00
freight collect 30" high Victorian Style. Poloroid $1.00
Louis Costet, 1500 Monument Blvd., Concord, CA 94520.
Park Street, Butte, MT 59701. (406) 723-9824.
(415)827-4545.
■
© The International Arcade Museum
July 1981
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
THE COIN SLOT-45

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