Coin Slot Magazine - #087 - 1982 - May[International Arcade Museum]
Letters To The
Dear Editor,
EDITOR
Dear Editor,
We have always felt that the best way to insure the continued
The inside back cover of your February issue (new slot
good health of our hobby was to enthusiastically encourage new
cabinet sets) answered a question which has bothered me for
and budding collectors. We were, therefore, delighted to see you
quite a while. Last November at a flea market I almost bought a
officially promoting the same policy.
Mills BURSTING CHERRY slot that had to be a reproduction
Can it be possible, then, that the inside back cover of the
cabinet. It was in absolutely new condition, but the price (asking
March issue is a full page ad for reproduction ("counterfeit")
$950) was not in line with the other slots. I was suspicious, and
metals and cabinets? We believe that the greatest single danger
didn't buy that day, but it has been bothering me ever since. I
to the well being of our hobby is the sudden proliferation of fake
went back the next day to ask the owner to let me see the works,
machines.
but the slot was sold.
Already I have seen one enthusiastic new collector turned off
Do not misunderstand me, I have nothing against new parts,
in disgust when his beautiful WAR EAGLE brought to me for repair
only against the people who represent them as being antique. I
turned out to be all new — right down to the plastic slides.
We are great fans of yours and The Coin Slot, but this ad
like to think I am smart enough not to be taken, but at times I am
not so sure.
really struck a nerve.
Sincerely yours,
Sincerely,
Jon Gooding
Nancy Diaz
Dear Jon,
Your letter shows another view ofthe same topic discussed in
Dear Nancy,
Yourletteris very timely because as you will see the question
thepreceeding letter. As the answer has already been given, we
of reproduction machines is addressed in two articles in this
won't belabor the point. One additional comment, however, we
issue. Our opinion has not been altered and you may recall that
all like to think we arefairly knowledgeable, but down deep we
a statement was made last year in The Coin Slot in reference to
know that we still have a lot to learn.
advertising by those involved in the manufacture and sale of
Sincerely,
reproduction machines. This is a direct quotation: "The Coin
Editor
Slot has taken the position ofrefusing advertisingfrom parties
who knowingly sell reproductions as original machines."
Michael's Vintage Games does in fact sell new or "replace
ment" cabinets and they sell them as such. They are quite
candid with their customers and we feel that they are not
attempting in any way to deceive anyone.
We are still concerned with the sale of reproductions as
original machines and we are attempting to help educate the
buyers so that they can protect themselves. In this area we need
your help. We would appreciate an article from you which
Editor's Note: The following letter was received by us but
addressed to Russ Jensen, a monthly contributor to The Coin
Slot, writing about pinballs. We promptlyforwarded it to Russ
and have recently received his reply. We are printing it in our
Letters to the Editor column for all our readers to benefitfrom
Russ' expertise.
Dear Mr. Jensen,
I've really enjoyed your articles in The Coin Slot, keep them
coming!
would point out how an individual could distinguish an
Enclosed are some pictures of two pinballs I currently own.
original machine from a reproduction. Perhaps you could
One is the Mills 1-2-3 (circa 1939) payout pinball-slot machine.
elaborate on the tips which Alan Sax has given us in his article,
This machine seems to be fairly rare. Do you have any
"Caveat Emptor."
information on this machine?
om
m.c
As Dave Evans has pointed out, our hobby is following a
:
seu
u collectingfield
from
m
ductions are here and we e suspect
that -
each
has
d
e sold as originals. The
d
d
a
a
o
had its bout with
reproductions
being
l
c
ar
own lies in w the
w. representation
crux ofthe
ofthe machine at the
D matter
w
/
/
:
time of the sale.
p
t
ht again, Nancy, for your letter and we lookforward
Thank you
pattern established in many other collecting fields. The repro
to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Editor
© The International Arcade Museum
6-THE COIN SLOT
The second machine is the Williams k%Sweetheart" (circa
1950). I'm looking for a schematic and a picture or drawing of
the machine in its original state in order to restore the cabinet.
The machine works well except the flippers are extremely weak.
Can you suggest a fix for such?
Any help will be deeply appreciated
Thanks,
Alex C. Demetruk
P.S. both of these machines are currently for sale.
Continued on page 8
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
May, 1982