Mechanical Memories Magazine

Issue: 2011-October - Issue 59

Editorial
Well, here we are with the October issue - not quite as early in the month as I would
have liked, but certainly an improvement on recent performance! Anyway, entry
forms for the Coventry auction are included, so start filling them in and get them
back to me ASAP. Please remember the closing date for entries is Monday 7 th Nov.
We're slightly re-branding the event this year (not that anyone's likely to notice)! It
has previously been called .. .. .. 'show and auction' .. . .... because we had always
hoped that it would evolve into more of a show, with the auction forming the focal
point. OK, it was never going to be Jukebox Madness, but we hoped that we would
have a good number of sellers, and that that number would grow. Actually, the
reverse has been the case, with just me promoting the magazine and one other seller
in attendance last year. So we 're scrapping the sales tables (with the exception of
Tony and me) and the event will now just be a coin-op auction; albeit the biggest in
the country! Anyway, more about the auction on the following pages.
Now, take a close look at the picture on the front cover. It' s a small section of a
fantastic picture Robert Rowland sent me to accompany his article in this issue (see
page 10). Can anyone identify the two machines perched on top of the radiator? I
think the one being played is possibly a German Running Hare, although I'm not
100% certain. But what is the one on the left? If you have any ideas on either
machine, please let me know.
Well, that's about it for now
Until next time
All the best
Jerry
Page 3
Coventry '11
Yes, we 're fast approaching the big one! For those of you who have not
attended before, the 'Coventry auction' as it has become known, is organised
and presented by fellow collector Jeremy Clapham and me, and has become
firmly established as the biggest event in the slotties' calendar. The auction is
held in a very pleasant social club, with good amenities (bar, food etc.) and of
course, ample free parking.
Perhaps the aspect of which we 're most proud is charging a commission
of just 6% to sellers and buyers alike, and we don 't believe any other similar
auction matches us! It does have a downside though - we don't make a great
deal of money! The way we raise a little extra revenue is to charge an
entrance fee by way of a catalogue. I know most of you understand this and
consider it perfectly reasonable (although there will always be a few who
think they should get in for nothing, get free refreshments, do their own deals
in the car park etc. etc.). Anyway, in order to raise just a little more this year
(and thus maintain the commission at 6%), I'm making a small change. In
previous years, each catalogue has admitted two persons, but will now only
admit one. So if you 're attending with your wife, friend or someone else, they
will need to pay for a ticket, which will be available on the day at just £3
(please do not order tickets in advance).
So, what of the auction? Well, as I stated above, it is the biggest event of
its kind in the UK, and now even attracts interest from Europe. It is the one
event in the year where you will find the greatest number of vintage machines
and the greatest number of collectors all in one room. Wall machines, one-
armed bandits, Bryans machines, electro-mechanicals, spares, books and
paperwork - it will all be there. It is the event that no collector or enthusiast
of vintage coin-operated machines should miss .. . .. . ... make sure you don't!
So fill in those forms, order your catalogue and ...... .
See you on 27 th November
Page 4

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