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Exhibit Supply digger machine

PostPosted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:14 pm
by ironclaw
I am requsting any information on early digger machines. When was the first one made and?or advertisied ?? Any pictures or advertisting would be helpful. I look forward to your replies.

Diggers

PostPosted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:41 am
by Hatsoff
You ask a good question about Diggers. I have been slowly doing research on them and plan to do an article for C.O.C.A. I bought Dick Bueschel's arcade library and in it there's a lot of info on the subject.

The Digger, Claw, or Crane machine was a very important and successful product line but for only about 10 years. It began in the early 1920's but took off in the late 20's. It helped that Exhibit and Mutoscope obtained legal rulings in NYC that it was a skill game and not gambling. But it was really a gambling machine. In places where gambling was legal, diggers weren't very popular.

I have found about 12 different makers so far that made many dozens of models.

If anyone is looking to date their digger just let me know.

Ken Rubin
DropCoinHere@aol.com

digger information

PostPosted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 7:42 am
by coinguy
I believe Jim Roller is in the process of writting a book on this subject and given his 50 years of actual digger experience I am sure it will be great. He has tons of original ads, manuals, and information, but unless it is an emergency, I doubt he has the time to copy it, since he lives in a remote part of Texas. It is also very time consuming and expensive to generate copies, so you might want to wait for the book. His web site is www.jimroller.com and this site has some information posted.

diggers

PostPosted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:19 pm
by hatsoff
JimRoller's site doesn't repond is it correct?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:58 am
by earlace

Jim Roller Status

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:25 pm
by geezertom
I have recently corresponded with Jim and, although his website still seems active and vibrant, he has pretty much retired. He has sold off all of his inventory. He is still very gracious about providing information and help with your digger projects. I didn't see anything about him writing a book on diggers. Maybe I just missed it but will definitely look forward to seeing it.

Re: Exhibit Supply digger machine

PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:22 am
by sam2002
Erie digger was possibly the first digger