Improved Pickwick variants

[Timo]

Hello,

Anyone, I'm looking for a photo or scan from the descriptions / user card from the Cresset Improved Pickwick.
My machine is missing it and therefore I'm looking for a copy or to make one myself.
Thanks

[pennymachines]

Hi Timo,

I've just posted some Cresset Pickwick papers in Resources. Not sure if they'll do - no reference to the "Improved Pickwick".

[Guest]

Thanks, just the ones I was looking for.

[hottoddy]

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Hello Everyone,

I recently found this beautiful Cresset Pickwick machine but I'm not too familiar with them. It came with a few wooden balls but I don't know if they are correct for this game. Any information would be very helpful.

[badpenny]

I know nothing about your Pickwick ... but what is Humpty sitting on?

[hottoddy]

Good Eye Mr. Penny. That's a 5cent Pace Mfg. Royal Comet Slot Machine.

[daveslot]

I've had a few of these, Cressets that is. The balls vary, some are composition, wood and I have seen bone. I find the wood ones too light and the game does not play very well. Yours is missing the paperwork at the bottom. Is the instructions in brass as I have not seen that before?

[hottoddy]

Hi Dave, Thanks for your info. I agree the wood balls are too light. I'll have to look for an alternative. There seems to be a lot of brass throughout, making me think it might have been pieced together. But again, I'm not too versed on these. It's a great looking piece and I didn't realize how heavy they are.

[gameswat]

Everything looks ok from the photos I think. Like many of these early machines the weathered nickel plating has been polished off all the external and most of the under glass castings and left as brass. But I have a feeling the only thing that was never plated is that lovely etched plaque. These really are one of the most elegant machines I feel.

[john t peterson]

The Cresset Pickwick is a great looking machine - but not that great to play. Yours has been "reconditioned," that red velvet being a replacement and the brass polished to a bright sheen. The two control knobs on the bottom look to be untouched.

I've found that old clay marbles work well with these older machines. The weight is right and the composition is stout enough to take the abuse, if not used too much. The trick is finding the correct size. You have those wood balls which, if the correct size, will work as models. Good luck.

JP

[polaris]

Topic merged - Site Admin.

Can anyone explain to me how the Cresset Pickwick works, object of the game etc. Got one coming but will be in a week maybe more and am impatient and curious. Same as the one in Museum.

[widget2k4]

put in a penny, flick a ball, see if you win, simple ;)

no idea really but what a cracking machine

[coppinpr]

great looking machine that must have cost you dear, anyone know why "Pickwick"

[pennymachines]

A play on the words "pick quick". Geddit?

Place penny in slot, turn knob on right until balls are delivered. Separate balls (with plunger on left, I think?) and fire to the top with right hand plunger. Aim to land ball in top cup. Failing that, try to catch ball with movable cups by manipulating side handles. If successful, push button to release token.

[polaris]

thanks dave appears to be pictures of very machine hopefully ok when it arrives

[larry_d]

Is this the one that was in a general auction this week ? Looks great.

[pennymachines]

Yes, it was at Bellmans yesterday. Unfortunately, as I'm sure Polaris knows, some vandal has taken a chisel to the wood. No doubt it can be repaired, but I can't imagine why it was done.

[polaris]

Never having owned one I took the view that the areas that have been cut away looked old enough to be original and thought it may have been to accept coin mechanism. Like you say it can be repaired but door covers it so as long as it is playable

[polaris]

On seconds thought perhaps not original can't imagine anyone happily turning out workmanship of that quality, does anyone have one who can post a picture to compare.

[daveslot]

You saved me a phone call to the auction house. Now I know I didn’t get it but I did buy one on Sunday , so here's the pic.