Original circa early 1930s The Ace ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by the Northwestern Distributing Co., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at an unknown date. The tabletop machine, 26.5˝ x 43.25˝, and standing 41˝ tall, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the appealing playfield layout with card game designs and 52 scoring combinations, which includes four suit holes for all numeral cards (1-10), court cards, and pip card (Ace), with the upper section also featuring a single Joker hole. The bottom game sheet reads, in part: “To Operate / Insert 5c in coin slot and push plunger all the way in to release balls. Raise one ball at a time, with knob on the right hand side of table. / The LESSORS will not be responsible for any gambling on this game, as it is a game of skill, and leased only for your entertainment…10 Balls, 5 Cents.” The central section of the game sheet lists the 11 ways a player can score: Five of a Kind, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Threes, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. Includes a few original playing balls. In very good to fine condition, with some scattered marks and wear. A clever union of arcade and casino entertainment and a unique artifact of Depression-era gaming.
