Very old amusement arcade
- coppinpr
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Re: very old amusement arcade
I've now scanned all the negatives from the collection of old photos I've bought for my website and I'm trying to improve the quality where needed,if I can, I'm very pleased with these two. The first photo is the original as scanned into the computer, the second was achieved by scanning just half the negative at 22MP, then the other half , restoring each half then joining them together, the same process for the working models, still a little work to do on them.
Re: Very old amusement arcade
Well done Paul that looks very good, image enhancement in this digital age is just superb, something that could not be done in the days of silver halide film material.
Re: Very old amusement arcade
oh wow that "cast iron collection" photo is insane! Any more info on them?
- coppinpr
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Re: Very old amusement arcade
We think the cast irons were at Southend. The working models - well I can make out the "Night Watchman" "The Miser" and the "Haunted Churchyard". Here is another photo I have only half finished as yet, showing they were next to a brick/wood shed described as "The Aquarium". Does anyone know where this was? There is also another photo to make your tongues hang out, another £15 to £20,000 worth.
Re: Very old amusement arcade
What would they cost to operate, and can someone put that in perspective to today's costs? Like what would be the outlay for someone going up there and putting a coin in all 7 of them?
- coppinpr
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Re: Very old amusement arcade
An interesting question. These machines were standard 1d per play, which would equate to about 42p today. As to running costs, that's not so easy. You would need to take into account the cost/rental of the machine, electricity costs, maintenance costs (if owned not rented), and life span of the machine (if owned not rented). Electricity was about 25 X cheaper in 1954, making the cost of the electricity to run the machine about .25d (around 8p per play today(?); cost to rent the machine, £2 per week (£100 per week today?). Assume the machine got played 100 times per day (=700 times per week for an active season of 8 months) and allowing for rainy days, the take would be £500, profit would be 500 - 100 (electric) - 100 (rental) - 50 (security and handling) profit £250 or £5 per week (IF it managed 700 plays per week). Now the experts can correct my costings.
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Re: Very old amusement arcade
These machines were at Chessington Zoo, operated by Samson (Holloway). More pictures to follow, including Bolland's fortune tellers located next to the gents toilet! Anyone to spend a penny?
Re: Very old amusement arcade
Amazing to see and well done for taking the time to save these magical old photos.
- coppinpr
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Re: Very old amusement arcade
every card said "you will get relief from a big problem soon!" or " you will meet a tall dark stranger..if you hang around long enough"More pictures to follow, including Bolland's fortune tellers located next to the gents toilet!
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Re: Very old amusement arcade
This is a picture of the iron clads by the gents toilets at Chessington Zoo. I was told that Mr Bolland said that this site was one of their best money takers.
Re: Very old amusement arcade
Thanks gameswat for confirming that my memory is still relatively reliable!
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