Matthewson (Automatic Sports Co.) games

[john t peterson]

Thread moved - Site Admin.

Dreams really do come true. Discovered in Dallas this month. Story to follow. Your American correspondent.

[john t peterson]

The story is now in the "Arena."

[john t peterson]

Thread moved & merged - Site Admin.

An Automatic Sports Company arcade game from 1912, "The Marksman" went to auction today in Ann Arbor, Michigan at http://www.showtimeauctions.com. When the dust settled, the mermaid shooter sold for $175,000USD plus 15% premium, for a total of $201,250, plus local tax.
They described the machine correctly as a Matthewson game but labelled it "The War Game" Mermaid.'

I do not know how long the link will be good but for now, take a look at:
http://bid.showtimeauctions.com/Rare-Co ... d_i9337232

I'd sure like to know who bought her.

J. Peterson
Your American Spy

[slotalot]

I do not know how long the link will be good but for now, take a look at:
J. Peterson
Your American Spy

Hi John , I have managed to capture a photo of the page , click on photo to make it bigger, so now it should be here for ever

[badpenny]

All that commission plus another 6% local sales tax .... GULP!!

[gameswat]

Yeah but that 6% sales tax was only for Michigan residents, makes it pretty reasonable without that!! Hehe. Otherwise I thought prices were considerably down on the rarer machines. A few high prices but a lot of low ones. I guess the economy is still a big issue for them.

The one I wanted was the "Rock-It" by Doraldina. That is one of the most fun machines I've ever played, small and super deco style. But sadly only two known from what I'm told and well out of range of my threadbare pockets.

[arrgee]

Humm....................makes a retreeva look cheap !

Interesting, if you zoom in on the picture you can see the soldier targets, their heads can only be about 5 to 10mm wide.............and the instructions say aim between the eyes !!!!!

[kidston]

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

Hi- I was hoping the experts on this forum might be able to give me some information on a coin-operated cricket game- discovered in my late father's trove of odds and ends.

As you can see from the picture, it's a two-player game. The top is about 20" by 7 3/8". It's been housed in a wooden box that hides the mechanism- I've no idea if he ever had the original cast iron (?) case.

The condition is 'original' with light surface rust; the figures have lost almost all their paint. The mechanism has been kept oiled, and while a few pins look very worn, it all looks in reasonable shape. Both batsman (with W G Grace-style beard) and bowler seem to operate ok. A couple of bits of fence and bails are missing. The only identification marks seem to be the number '1221' stamped on the levers, on the plates behind the levers, and on the frame near the right hand lever, and also a capital 'D' on the frame near the same location (see picture).

I'd be interested to know who made it, and when it might have been made. Is it likely to interest a collector? Where would I get information and/or guidance regarding restoration?

[slotalot]

Hi kidston, welcome to the forum you have what looks like the makings of a nice vintage machine, sorry I dont know the maker, but feel sure someone on here will be able to tell you
I would think that the machine would have looked something like the cast iron Golf machine when new?? see photo.

[john t peterson]

I'm pretty sure you have the mechanism to Cricket Match by Automatic Sports, Co. of London, circa 1899. A close up picture of the two players from a complete game is below.

It would be a challenge to reconstruct the complete iron case game. The mechanism itself would be of great value to one who had the case but not the mechanism.

Great find!

J Peterson
CricketMaster in America