C.O.C.A. Times

Chicagoland Juke box and Slot Machine Show
April 6 thru 8, 2001
For sixteen cents you could have it all! A dime for a
bottle of coke from a vending machine. A nickel
bought your favorite "do-wop" tune from the
Wurlitzer juke box, or a game on the pinball. And
the penny bought a handful of peanuts from a
counter top peanut machine. You poured the
peanuts in the coke bottle--shook it a bit and that
was a perfect meal, with entertainment. Those were
the days!
now can choose form machines built at the turn of
the century ... clear up to machines form the 1970's.
The newer electric casino machines can be bought
at very reasonable prices. Many are under a thou-
sand dollars. The classics, pre-WWII, are a bit more
pricey; from $1,000 upwards to the more expensive
but wonderful uprights from the turn of the century.
There were several of those offered at prices from
$10,000 to $15,000.
That's what the chicagoland Juke box and Slot
machine show is all about. Twice a year grown up
baby-boomers gather to buy and sell these memo-
ries from their teen years. The spring show, held at
Pheasant Run resort in St. Charles, IL, April 6 thru
8, brought buyers from across America, Canada and
Europe. The biggest and most successful show of
it's kind, anywhere in the world, this show has been
serving collectors for well over twenty years.
What gameroom is complete without neon signs,
soda advertising, a penny scale and just one arcade
or pinball machine? There were a variety of all.
Vintage signs and clocks were everywhere. Pinballs
from the 40's to the 90's and Arcade machines that
told your fortune, your strength or your "amorous"
abilities, all were operational to try your skill or
luck! And for just a penny you could go home see-
ing how much weight you've gained.
There was something for everyone. The advanced
collector could find a wide range of beautifully
restored juke boxes; from a few thousand dollars to
a fabulous Wurlitzer #850, offered at $25,000. If
you wanted a classic Coke machine, there were
dozens to choose form. The favorite ... the Vendo #81
was being offered completely restored at prices in
the $4-5,000 range. If you waned a peanut or gum-
ball machine, prices ranged from under a hundred
dollars to several thousand. And, for the final piece
for your gameroom, if you wanted a slot machine,
you had several hundred to choose from.
This show does have something for everyone.
Thousands of things to look at, and buy ... all that
bring back memories from those wonderful, care-
free days of the 50's and 60's. Buyers and sellers all
enjoyed the weekend. Many machines went to new
homes and many collectors, old and new, can relive
those days where sixteen cents could buy it all.
The slot machine selection has broadened since the
advent of legalized slots in many states. Collectors
The next Chicagoland Juke Box and Slot machine
show is scheduled for November 9 thru 11, 2001 at
the same location.
For more information, contact:
Steve Gronowski (847) 381-1234 or
e-mail: www.chicagolandshow.com