Coin Slot

Coin Slot Magazine - #073 - 1981 - March [International Arcade Museum]
being honest with their customers and other dealers. The
hobby can only be respected if the people involved are
respectable. Passing off reproductions as original
machines is hardly respectable. In our opinion it is
fraudulent. It bears a great similarity to those who
counterfeit money.
Antique
or
Reproduction?
By Rosanna Harris
In recent weeks we have been approached by a local
dealer to bring to the attention of area people that there
are parties offering machines for sale which are in effect
reproductions. The cases and mechanisms are currently
being manufactured. The machines are being sold to un
knowing collectors as restored machines. Our source told
us that he was told that the machines can be considered
antiques as long as one original part was used. That, of
course, is ludicrous. A single part could be a slide or a spr
ing and that obviously does not make a whole machine an
tique. Not long ago Loose Change magazine devoted the
majority of one issue to a rare machine which was
restored. The whole case had to be built as the only ex
isting part of the machine was the mechanism. We agree
with their contention that this is in fact a restored machine.
An essential part of the machine is original, namely the
mechanism. But this would not have been the case if the
only existing part had been the plate bearing the name.
It is painfully evident, as Louis Fischl pointed out in his
article in the January issue of The Coin Slot, that we are in
dire need of a professional definition of "antique slot
machine." But aside from that we are in need of all dealers
If any of you have had any experiences of having
total
reproductions offered to you as restored
machines, we would like to hear from you.
The Coin Slot has taken the position of refusing
advertising from parties who knowingly
reproductions as original machines.
sell
We can only hope that you, our readers, will be cautious
when buying machines and know the party from whom you
are purchasing machines. Perhaps the only way to resolve
the definition of "Antique slot machine" will lie with you the
collectors. Write down your definition and send it in; col
lectively we will draft a definition. In this way we can protect
ourselves legally from these charlatans.
Sotheby Parke Bernet Auction
The third coin operated machine auction held by Sothe
by Parke Bernet was held on December 6th, 1980. A large
crowd of collectors and first time buyers turned out for the
event.
A summary of some of the prices realized for the
machines are as follows:
Waiting Cherry Rol-A-Top
Mills QT
$3500
1600
Caille Superior Nude Front
3250 Griswold Big Three Trade Stimulator
Wurlitzer 1015
4250
6000
Gabel Chicago Upright
8500
Watling Cast Iron Operator Bell
3000
Wurlitzer 150 Organ
10000
Watling Rol-A-Top coin front,
3500
Mills Poinsettia
Canda Bonanza Trade Stimulator
Pace Bantam
1900
1400
1500
Cailie Cail-O-Scope
Griswold Wheel of Fortune
Chester Pollard Soccer
1500
300
800
Fey Midget
400
Scoopy Triple Vendor
450
Roth Pansey Gum Vendor
475
These prices do not include the 10% buyer premium.
Melvin Getlan
The next Sotheby Auction is planned for May 1981 in
New York and in June 1981 in Los Angeles.
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THE COIN
SLOT
© 28
The —
International
Arcade
Museum
MARCH 1981
http://www.arcade-museum.com/