Play Ball Antique 1925 Art Deco Baseball Penny Coin Drop Arcade Baseball Game
Art Deco Baseball Coin Drop Baseball Game Arcade.
An extremely rare piece of baseball amusement. Created during the art deco period in Chicago Illinois. This is a baseball coin-op game, titled "Play Ball Amusement Machine," and has been manufactured by the Exhibit Supply Company back in the 1925. Crafted in solid steel with beautiful details embossed showing baseball players of a pitcher and a catcher in positions. The playboard is carefully paint with green, red black and yellow colors with the round pin holes. This game has always been highly prized by collectors for its highly decorative artwork on the front and each side. All of the artwork is done in relief within the metal framework. A pitcher and catcher are pictured on the front, while an identical image of a fielder, together with a crossed bats-and-ball motif, adorns either side. The game is a bagatelle derivation in which the customer shoots a penny into the machine. There, it navigates a series of pins and falls into either one of the "fielder's" holes, or descends to the bottom, where it registers a single, double, home run, etc. The novelty aspect of the game is that if the penny reaches the bottom, a lever is pushed which returns it to the customer. If it falls into one of the "fielder's" holes, the penny is lost. A small sign on the interior displays the rules legend, "A game of skill, test your batting eye made a hit and get your penny back".
The coin box inside has been nicely restored; the lock is original with the key. All parts looks original and the functions of the arcade amusement machine game are in working condition. The game, which is in working order, is complete with its original key and displays wear commensurate with its age and former use. Excellent condition overall. Wood, metal, and glass construction. An incredible historical piece in great condition that should adorn any room.
Indian Lake (Ford Russell's Point) Ohio, July 1941. Inside the following games can be seen: K.O. Fighters (1928 National Novelty), Iron Claw digger (1931 Exhibit Supply), Princess Doraldina fortune teller (1928 Doraldina Corp). Photo courtesy From R. Bueschel with thanks.
Weight: 15 Pounds, (6.81 Kg).
Materials: Steel, wood, glass, paint, lacquer and copper.
Measurements: 470 mm by 336.5 mm by 203 mm (18.5 x 13.25 x 8 Inches).
Signatures: Stamped in a plaque with the maker's name as follow: Exhibit Supply Co.
Patent: Registered in US Patent office Number 1630098.
Manufactured: By Exhibit Supply Co. Chicago Illinois.
Exhibit Supply Company
The company was founded in 1901. The Exhibit Supply Company (aka, ESCO) was one of the many arcade machine manufacturers that made Chicago the central hub of all things coin-operated in the 20th century. The firm produced a well-rounded mix of “amusements” well into the 1950s, including candy venders, diggers (aka claw machines), shooters, strength testers, and fortune tellers. What really distinguished the business from some of its rivals, though, was its dual role as a publishing house—millions of novelty picture cards were printed and shipped out of its Chicago plant on a regular schedule, designed exclusively for re-stocking ESCO’s own dispensing machines. Exhibit Supply’s founder and president J. Frank Meyer wisely recognized that the best way to keep his brand profitable in perpetuity was to manufacture not just merchandising machines, but most of the merch that went into them. The hard part was getting his distributors, operators, and the gaming public to respect that sound business model.
To stay ahead, ESCO tip-toed into risk subject matter in the 1920s; adjusted to crackdowns on “gambling games” in the 1930s; and jockeyed for defense contracts in the 1940s. For a while, they were almost certainly the biggest amusement supplier on Earth, but over time, much like trying to snag a stuffed animal in a claw machine, frustration proved more dependable than rewards. Surpassed after the war by local rivals like Bally, Gottlieb, Rock-Ola, and Seeburg, the Exhibit Supply Company became a bit of a forgotten name in American gaming history. But if not for ESCO’s contributions in the pre-pinball age, many of those other companies might not have a marketplace in which to thrive
Museums: Made in Chicago Museum, Chicago Illinois. One in exhibition.
Literature: Exhibit Supply Co. Catalogue, 1929. Exhibit Supply Co. – "Amusement Machines Exclusively” – Automatic Age, Sept 1926.
Condition: The overall condition of this piece is very good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage.. All parts are secured in the model. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D072823MSSE/.2123
