C.O.C.A. Times

(The Wildcat - continued)
1930's Football
Skill Game
and illegal. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to
"eat" their investment, particularly during the
depression. So why not change and "sell" this
problem ASAP and liquidate your potential loss.
Further, what was to stop anyone from pirating
all the unique qualities of this illegal and
unsaleable machine in 193 J by mass producing
cheaply made sheet metal machines that at the
same time do not make them unsaleable or less
profitable - simply stop the gum vending feature,
or at least reroute the gum, and eliminate the penny
back feature? Presto! A 1931 flood of whirlwind
machines appears.
It's interesting that the Wildcat is so much alike
the great Exhibit Supply "Smiling Joe" machine of
the mid 1920's that has the exact same gum and
penny back receptacle problem that met a similar
fate as described above (see "For Amusement
Only," page 196.)
So, I guess all of us can be fooled on occasion
until research brings the true history to the surface.
This really desirable machine should stand on its
own as a pioneer to later, less desirable machines
rather than be considered just another example of
them.
by John Carini
I purchased a Football
Skill game (see photo) on
an Ebay auction. The
gentleman I purchased it
from is a C.O.C.A. mem-
ber, and said he would be
at the Chicago show. We
arranged to meet there.
Even though I could tell from the on-line photo's
that the machine was rough and missing parts, I
was eager to get it. The only machine I had seen
previously, that was similar, was listed in Tom
Gustwiller's "For Amusement Only" book, and
manufactured by B. Ardors - Brooklyn, N.Y. The
one I purchased has a somewhat different turn han-
dle, and a #4 Advance mechanism. but other than
that, it appears to be almost identical.
If anyone has any information on this machine
(am I missing a marquee?), or knows where I can
get the football figure, please give me a call at 414-
768-1076.
On Tuesday, April 26, 2005, C.O.C.A. founder and contributing author (see cover article) Ken
Rubin got engaged to his significant other for 26 years Kathryn Falk (founder of Romantic Times Book
Club Magazine). Ken proposed on bended knee at a romantic dinner for two in the revolving restau-
rant at the top of the hotel overlooking the "Arch" and the city of St. Louis! The reason St. Louis was
special is because it's where they met 26 years ago on a riverboat cruise. Ken was in town for an
antique show (I wonder what he bought and how much he paid 25 years ago) and Kathryn was in town
for a miniature dollhouse show, her business before she started the magazine in 1981. The proposal
was very romantic - Ken will be attending the California Convention so you can congratulate him and
he can tell you the story. The wedding is set for September 2007 in Hawaii, which, no doubt, will be
another romantic event. If anyone has a coin operated toaster for sale please let me know I am look-
ing for an engagement present for them.
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