Sold For $2,500
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Museum-quality collection of six antique ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machines from the 1930s, a group that includes: a historic original Whiffle pinball machine released by Automatic Industries, Inc., circa June 1931; an original Baffle Ball pinball machine released by D. Gottlieb & Company, circa November 1931; an original Screwy pinball machine released by the Bally Manufacturing Corporation, circa June 1932; original Goofy (Senior) pinball machine released by the Bally Manufacturing Corporation circa October 1932; a mysterious circa early 1930s Lincoln pinball machine (unknown manufacturer and date, ostensibly 1925, Standard Games of America); and an original The Ace pinball machine released by the Northwestern Distributing Co., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (circa early 1930s). Full descriptions of the machines are below:
Automatic Industries 'Whiffle' Pinball Machine (1931) - The Original American Coin-Operated Pinball Machine
Incredible, historic original Whiffle ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by Automatic Industries, Inc., circa June 1931. Conceived by Arthur L. Paulin, a carpenter from Youngstown, Ohio, and designed by Paulin and his friend, Earl Froom, an electrical salesman, the Whiffle has long been touted as the first American coin-operated pinball machine. The tabletop machine, 18˝ x 38˝ x 10.25˝, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the playfield layout with upper horseshoe design, a multitude of bumper pegs, and a total of 32 scoring options ranging from 50 points to 3000 points, which includes a central ‘Double the Score’ hole with colorful ‘Whiffle Bird’ emblem. The game’s title sheet reads: “Play Whiffle, Everybody’s Game! Directions for Playing: 1. Place nickel [“penny” in an unknown hand] in slide and push in slowly to clear board of balls. 2. Turn side-wheel one-half turn to elevate each ball for play. 3. Pull out shooter and let go. With very little practice you will find that you will be able to place the balls where you want them, very much the same as on a pool table. NOTICE – The lessors will not be responsible for any gambling on this game as it is leased only for your entertainment.” The sheet bears an affixed “10 Balls for 1¢” label and the lower portion lists manufacturing and office locations in Kansas City, Missouri, Youngstown, Ohio, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In fine condition, with some dampstaining to the game sheet, a few missing cabinet screws, and several pins without their white rubber guards, with one or two cracked. Bidder notice: the game should not be played unless the fragile rubber pin guards are replaced.
Gottlieb 'Baffle Ball' Pinball Machine (1931)
Original Baffle Ball ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by D. Gottlieb & Company circa November 1931. The tabletop machine, 16˝ x 27˝ x 9˝, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the attractive playfield layout with a baseball-inspired design that features numerous bumper pins, 11 bottom point gates (from 5 to 50 possible points), four major scoring pockets of 150, 250, 350, and 500 points, and an upper ‘Baffle Point’ pocket, which, per the scoring rules below, “doubles the score of the entire table providing you do not knock it off again.” The lower right notes “10 Balls for 1¢” and the game’s instructions. The rear cabinet door retains its original key. In fine condition, with some light wear to cabinet. An attractive Depression-era machine designed by pinball pioneer David Gottlieb.
Bally 'Screwy' Pinball Machine (1932)
Original Screwy ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by the Bally Manufacturing Corporation circa June 1932. The tabletop machine, 16.5˝ x 32˝ x 9˝, approximately 30 pounds, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the colorful ‘figure eight’ playfield layout, with matching scoring catches of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 800, and 1000 points. The game sheet to lower border reads: “SCREWY, Instructions / Insert coin in slot and push forward – to raise ball press lever underneath plunger / Rules – Yellow ball doubles score of that shot only.” Circles to either side read, “Game of Skill for Amusement Only,” and the sheet bears an affixed label: “7 Balls 1¢.” The top front edge of the frame is engraved, “1065,” and the coin slot is dated to May 1933. The coin door to cabinet rear is missing its key. In fine condition, with the plunger knob missing. When it was first released, Bally offered this game for $16.50 with an optional wood stand for $2.50 or a metal stand for $2.00. A beautiful Depression-era pinball machine designed by Bally founder Raymond Moloney.
Bally 'Goofy (Senior)' Pinball Machine (1932)
Original Goofy (Senior) ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by the Bally Manufacturing Corporation circa October 1932. The tabletop machine, 16.25˝ x 33.5˝ x 9˝, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the colorful playfield layout with arrow design patterns and 19 scoring options ranging from 100 to 1000 points, which includes an upper “Bally Hole.” The lower portion bears an “Out” gobble hole and a “Free Play” hole. The cabinet bears a ‘How to Operate’ label, a “10 Balls for 1¢” label, a sticker indicating that “Federal Excise Tax 10% Has Been Paid on this Machine,” and a golden “This Is a Game of Skill” notice sticker to the upper glass. The rear of the cabinet is marked “DY.” Includes its original coin door key and a set of 10 pinballs. In fine condition, with some wear to the labels. A gorgeous Depression-era pinball machine designed by Jack Firestone.
Lincoln Pinball Machine (Early 1930s)
Exceedingly rare circa early 1930s Lincoln ‘pure mechanical’ pinball machine released by an unknown manufacturer at an unknown date, although the game title sheet to the bottom indicates a year, “1925,” and a partial address, “10th Avenue South…[Birmingha]m, Alabama,” and the upper playing field features a metal plate with possible manufacturer’s name, “Standard Games of America.” The tabletop machine, 23.5˝ x 44.25˝, and standing 40.5˝ tall, is comprised of its original wooden cabinet with a glass top, through which the player can observe the impressively carved playfield layout with two metal horseshoe designs and over 30 scoring options ranging from 100 to 1000 points. The bottom game sheet reads, in part: “Ten Balls for Five Cents / Green Ball Triples / Red Ball Doubles / Balls Must be in Holes to Count / A Game of Skill for Amusement Only…The Lincoln of the ‘All American Games / Recognized for Excellence [in Wor]kmanship and Skill / How to Operate / Place Nickel (5c) in Coin Chute and Push in to Release Balls. / Then Pull Coin Chute out to Extreme Outward Position Before Playing. / Elevate Balls to Position on Playing field by Pressing Lever Under Plunger.” In very good to fine condition, with paper loss to game sheet, scattered wear and marks, and some edges held together with duct tape. An obscure early pinball machine that appears to be, as research suggests, one of a kind.
Northwestern 'The Ace' Pinball Machine (Early 1930s)
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.
Interested parties are encouraged to view the collection in person at our offices or contact us with specific inquiries. Due to the size and fragile nature of these items, they are considered OVERSIZED. Please call RR Auction for a shipping quote.
