Mechanical Memories Magazine

Issue: 2014-February - Issue 83

The next few rooms were fairly standard in terms of what one would expect from such
an attraction, an old kitchen with its equipment from bygone days and rooms from
yesteryear etc. However, when we turned into the Hall, there standing in front of me
was a Hawtins Clutching Hand merchandiser, full to the brim of prizes and fully
working. My excitement grew, and as I approached I noticed another object glinting in
an alcove; it was a Bryans Walden Goliath Crane! Where do I go first? What do I look
at or play first? Fantastic! My emotions were beginning to get carried away with me
and those instant flashbacks of seaside holidays in the arcades and pier were cascading
through my mind. Without further ado I took many photos of these machines with my
camera for posterity. I could have lingered there for ages but the family had gone into
another room and so I therefore followed.
Walton Twins and Clamshell Mutoscope.
Page 10
Mills Cathedral viewer.
The first thing that greeted us was a very large 00 gauge working train set beautifully
modelled, but at the end of this long room was yet another feast for any slot collector's
hungry eyes. Standing in a line was a Ruffler and Walker two-player Cycle Racer next
to a two-player football game (Ahrens?), which was located adjacent to a beautiful
clamshell Mutoscope, that in tum stood next to a Walton & Co The Twins machine,
all in superb condition ... .. W0W!!!
By this time the family had gone on into the next room leaving me to dribble over
these gems. Having visually feasted upon these machines and taken many more
photos, I decided that it would be prudent to catch up with the rest of my folks and
resume the tour. However, on my way out of the room, there on a shelf stood a set of
Bryans Magic Machines - very nice. At this point I realised that this was not just an
ordinary collection of slots but a decidedly select collection put together by a
discerning and astute collector of slot machines. A corridor exited the room and half
way down standing to attention against a window there was a lovely stereo viewer. I
did not notice the maker as I was well behind the rest of my family by this time (it's a
Mills Cathedral, probably converted from clockwork to electric operation by Charles
Ahrens - Ed.). The experience of seeing these machines was creating a feeling of
anticipation and excitement every time I walked into another room.
Full set of Bryans Magic machines - String Cutter, Disappearing Disc and Spirals.
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Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

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