C.O.C.A. Times
Issue: 2004-March - Vol 4 Num 1 - Page 30
England. Mr. Levin made a conventional looking
teller called "Madame Sandra" and then hit a home run
with his famous "Sidney Knows" (Photo). Take a
close look at old Sidney's face. Is he the type of fel-
low you want to trust your future to? You really have
to want to know your fortune very badly to risk
approaching the sinister looking Sidney. Both his head
and eyes move before your card is dispensed. For
small children, their future included seeing Sidney
over and over again in their nightmares, no doubt!
you will note an interesting fact: there is no coin tube
for the payout. What is this, another bait and switch by
our British friends? Absolutely not! The ingenious
mystery part is what I call the coin retention/payout
"sleeve." This rectangular metal box is open at the top
to receive all the coins dropping and tapering at the
bottom to allow a specific number of coins to be held
as necessary and then diverted to either the coin box or
payout cup, depending upon the position commanded
by the cam gear upon which the sleeve rides. Not sur-
prisingly, the majority of the coins divert to the cash
box with only one of the 19 positions returning the
jackpot of six pennies. Since all is done with direct
gearing, you would expect that as the fortune wheel
spun around, the cam would open and close the sleeve,
dropping the coin into the cashbox or payout cup,
whichever came next. If the wheel were free spinning
this would be the case. Instead, the interior mecha-
nism advances one cog at a time which "spins" the
exterior wheel about five fortunes. This is not partic-
ularly noticeable for there are actually two wheels on
the exterior. The inner wheel containing the fortunes is
covered by an outside wheel with the attached arrow
and a cutout through which you view your fortune on
the inner wheel. If this were not enough, the play is
even more complex. After the coin is inserted and the
central knob turned, the inner fortune wheel turns
counterclockwise while the outside cover wheel turns
clockwise. This ensures that the fortune you get is one
you cannot see prior to playing the game. Is this not
terrific or what? This bills itself as a fortune teller but
with the payout feature, I think it is safe to conclude
that this is a gambling device masquerading as an
amusement game! Given the stout British restrictions
against gambling devices, this is one clever dodger!
I have saved the best fortune
teller in my collection for last.
It is entitled "What Will Your
Future Bring."
(Photo).
Besides being my most
unique teller it is special to
me for another reason: I pur-
chased this machine from our
Past COCA President, Paul
Hindin. Thanks again, Paul!
This teller incorporates the
best features of British coin-
op into one machine. It was produced by the British
firm, "Samson Novelty Co." of London before they
became "Samson Novelty Co. Ltd" in 1927. The com-
pany was better known for importing from the
American market but, as evidenced by this game, did
produce some original machines. To start, the case is
a stunning cathedral shape rather than the usual rec-
tangular case you typically find. The truly unique fea-
ture of this fortune teller is the manner of play. This is
the only machine I have seen that combines a fortune
"wheel" with a possible cash payout. As you can see,
the wheel is beautifully hand colored with 19 possible
fortunes. These fortunes range from heartwarming:
"Two Sons", to heartbreaking:
"Your Divorce", to heartstop-
ping: "Six Wives ." As if
knowledge were not its own
reward, the machine promises
to pay out cold coinage for
specific fortunes. The payout
card spells out the incentive
package. Taking a look at the
interior mechanism, (Photo)
This brings us to the end of my delicious hoard of
Fortune Kookies. I hope you enjoyed the cook's tour.
Next time, we'll explore an unusual allwin that raises
some interesting questions about restoration. And I
still have to tell you about some fascinating foreign
games specifically made for the British market. Until
then, good hunting and more importantly, GOOD
LUCK!
30
teller called "Madame Sandra" and then hit a home run
with his famous "Sidney Knows" (Photo). Take a
close look at old Sidney's face. Is he the type of fel-
low you want to trust your future to? You really have
to want to know your fortune very badly to risk
approaching the sinister looking Sidney. Both his head
and eyes move before your card is dispensed. For
small children, their future included seeing Sidney
over and over again in their nightmares, no doubt!
you will note an interesting fact: there is no coin tube
for the payout. What is this, another bait and switch by
our British friends? Absolutely not! The ingenious
mystery part is what I call the coin retention/payout
"sleeve." This rectangular metal box is open at the top
to receive all the coins dropping and tapering at the
bottom to allow a specific number of coins to be held
as necessary and then diverted to either the coin box or
payout cup, depending upon the position commanded
by the cam gear upon which the sleeve rides. Not sur-
prisingly, the majority of the coins divert to the cash
box with only one of the 19 positions returning the
jackpot of six pennies. Since all is done with direct
gearing, you would expect that as the fortune wheel
spun around, the cam would open and close the sleeve,
dropping the coin into the cashbox or payout cup,
whichever came next. If the wheel were free spinning
this would be the case. Instead, the interior mecha-
nism advances one cog at a time which "spins" the
exterior wheel about five fortunes. This is not partic-
ularly noticeable for there are actually two wheels on
the exterior. The inner wheel containing the fortunes is
covered by an outside wheel with the attached arrow
and a cutout through which you view your fortune on
the inner wheel. If this were not enough, the play is
even more complex. After the coin is inserted and the
central knob turned, the inner fortune wheel turns
counterclockwise while the outside cover wheel turns
clockwise. This ensures that the fortune you get is one
you cannot see prior to playing the game. Is this not
terrific or what? This bills itself as a fortune teller but
with the payout feature, I think it is safe to conclude
that this is a gambling device masquerading as an
amusement game! Given the stout British restrictions
against gambling devices, this is one clever dodger!
I have saved the best fortune
teller in my collection for last.
It is entitled "What Will Your
Future Bring."
(Photo).
Besides being my most
unique teller it is special to
me for another reason: I pur-
chased this machine from our
Past COCA President, Paul
Hindin. Thanks again, Paul!
This teller incorporates the
best features of British coin-
op into one machine. It was produced by the British
firm, "Samson Novelty Co." of London before they
became "Samson Novelty Co. Ltd" in 1927. The com-
pany was better known for importing from the
American market but, as evidenced by this game, did
produce some original machines. To start, the case is
a stunning cathedral shape rather than the usual rec-
tangular case you typically find. The truly unique fea-
ture of this fortune teller is the manner of play. This is
the only machine I have seen that combines a fortune
"wheel" with a possible cash payout. As you can see,
the wheel is beautifully hand colored with 19 possible
fortunes. These fortunes range from heartwarming:
"Two Sons", to heartbreaking:
"Your Divorce", to heartstop-
ping: "Six Wives ." As if
knowledge were not its own
reward, the machine promises
to pay out cold coinage for
specific fortunes. The payout
card spells out the incentive
package. Taking a look at the
interior mechanism, (Photo)
This brings us to the end of my delicious hoard of
Fortune Kookies. I hope you enjoyed the cook's tour.
Next time, we'll explore an unusual allwin that raises
some interesting questions about restoration. And I
still have to tell you about some fascinating foreign
games specifically made for the British market. Until
then, good hunting and more importantly, GOOD
LUCK!
30
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).