C.O.C.A. Times

I wanted to share with
Two months later we got
you one of the greatest finds
the call from the owner and
I have ever had in my 38
reached an agreement on the
years of collecting. Over the
sale price of the machines. I
past 20 years I have heard
felt like a kid at Christmas
rumors that there was a
morning. I have never had
great collection of uprights
this type of find on such a
hidden in Central Califor-
wonderful collection of up-
nia. The rumor had it that
rights. To say I was excited
among these uprights there
was an understatement.
was a Triple and Double
As many people in the
Victor in the collection.
business know I have worked
After years of following
with my son since we start-
Cover Story
leads and constant digging
ed this business. Frank Jr. as
by
Frank
Zygmunt
we found out who owned
he is called in the business
the machines. The owner
had his own son Frank who
passed away 26 years ago
always wants to go on ev-
and his mother held on to
ery trip with us to see ma-
the machines at her house.
chines. He is only nine but
The family decided it was
is also around the business
finally time to sell the ma-
and always wants to help.
chines about six months
Frank the Third as we call
ago. The family still had
him has a hobby. He wants
sentimental ties to the ma-
to visit every baseball park
chines and struggled to sell
and collect a team ball
them.
from each stadium. Our
My son and I flew out
home team the White Sox
there to try and buy the ma-
just happened to be play-
chines. We ate dinner with
ing in Oakland that week.
the owner then went to see
We got on the internet and
the wonderful collection.
booked three tickets to fly
Once we got there the ru-
out there.
mors proved to be true.
So the three Franks
There was a Victor Triple, Victor Double, and Victor got on a plane that Thursday and flew out to Oakland.
Single. Also in the collection was four other uprights. Friday morning we made the deal and loaded the ma-
I was in total shock when I first saw the machines. Up- chines. The uprights even looked better once they were
right Slot Machines are my passion and never thought out of the garage and in the outside light. After loading
that there were collections this great existed. All the the machines we celebrated with the owners son as he
machines worked and were in great original shape.
took us to his favorite restaurant. Afterward I, my son
We made a great offer but the owner was not ready and grandson went to go see our White Sox play the
to make a deal just yet. She struggled with emotional Oakland As. If you could have seen his eyes when we
ties to the machines and also needed to make sure she got to the park. I think his eyes were bigger then mine
was getting the most money for the machines. I am used when I saw the triple.
to closing on deals but she just was not ready to let the
I got to share my biggest passion that day with the
machines go. I told her my offer would be the highest purchase of the machines with my grandson and son. In
and confident nobody would pay more. She promised us return got to experience my grandsons biggest passion
once she was 100 percent ready to sell she would let us the same day. This business has brought me some won-
know and give us last shot at the machines. Both my son derful finds and joy over the years but to experience this
and myself were disappointed on the flight home but day was one of the greatest in my life.
were confident we would eventually own the machines.
An
Upright
Delight
4