CoinOpCollectorForum.com

Howdy All,
Still going through all the posts in the forums and I keep
reading about collectors talking about different sources
of information. Some would say a particular one isn't
reliable or another is better.

What's your opinion on who I should have on my shelf
to refer for restoration or spotting reproductions?
What book do you use the most?

Thanks for the insight.
B4U

What types of items do you collect?
Slot Machines
Trade Stimulators
Vending
Gumball Machines
Arcade

Howdy cpdretired,
I just got my first mechanical slot and that's
what I had in mind for reference. I forgot some(or most?)
of you collect all things that take coins. I have a feeling
that once I stick my toe in this part, it won't be long
before I'm collecting the rest of the stuff also.

So I best just try and stay focus with mechanical slot
references. I already got the name of a good manual
on QT machines from Dave F., so now I'm looking
for something with color pictures with the rest of the
mechanical slot machines.

Thanks for asking.
B4U

Lemons, Cherries & Bell Fruit by Richard M. Bueschel ISBN 0-9647836-0-6
Collectors Guide to Vintage Coin Machines By Bueschel ISBN 0-7643-0579-4
Guide to Vintage Trade Stimulators & Counter Games By Bueschel ISBN 0-7643-0119-5
Slot Machines Americas Favorite Gaming Device By Marshall Fey ISBN 1-889243-02-7

Here's a excellent search engine for books.
http://www.addall.com/

Consider Joining the Coin Op Collectors Assn.
http://www.coinopclub.org/

For colour pics 'Slot Machines on Parade' by Geddes & Mead is excellent then there are the Post-Era 'Slots of Yesteryear' books, anything by Richard Bueschel and The Coin Slot or Loose Change magazines.
andydotp

andydotp wrote:For colour pics 'Slot Machines on Parade' by Geddes & Mead is excellent then there are the Post-Era 'Slots of Yesteryear' books, anything by Richard Bueschel and The Coin Slot or Loose Change magazines.
andydotp

Slots on Parade is a nice book. However, don't assume the color schemes on the machines are correct. Creative license liberties were taken with many of the restorations

Not just the color schemes but there are incorrect machines in there such as Mills cast iron floor model gum vender with the aluminum Little Duke vender mounted in the base., completely made up. There are also some very rare correct machines in that book but unless you can tell the difference, it is just a coffee table book for a new collector and cannot be used as reference material.

Watlingboy

I agree entirely with Dave & Watlingboy, regarding the "Slot, ('Fantasy'), Machines on Parade" book. Although quite impressive, gazing at a big (one-machine-per-page) color pix,
many are not correct. Besides incorrect color schemes, and incorrect parts, a large number are way-over-restored.

Thank you much for all the input.
I feel my "library" will grow over the next few months.

Do any of these books discuss serial numbers and how
to tell when a particular machine was built? Did the slot
makers follow any rhyme or reason on their assignment
of numbers? (Do penny slots have their own list of serial
numbers separate from nickel or quarter slots or can
a quarter slot be one number away from a penny slot?)
I find the whole culture of slot manufacturing very intriguing.

Thanks again for all your guidance!
B4U

Dick Bueschel Price Guide to Slots Vol 3 has all of the serial numbers Dick gathered in Coin Slot and independently. So that is a good one to seek. All of the Bueschel publications are fascinating reading. Those of us lucky enough to know and talk to Dick were saddened by his much too early passing.

Flip