
Pilwin Play
One of Bryan's first allwins, play is similar to the very first generation of these games where the ball follows a spiral track towards a central target. This results in a short play time compared to the later open tracked allwins. Later versions of Pilwin Play offered a 6 - 2 - 4 penny payout from the clown's mouth (each target divided by a tooth). This scheme, plus the open track format was adopted for the 'improved' Pilwin of 1956. This example is missing the ball striker cover plate. |
Bryans 1953

Brecknells “Minor”
Striking cast iron penny scale offering "A Guide To Health" with separate charts for Ladies' and Gents' weights. |
CW Brecknell 1920s

3 Sixes
Coin return only game with a large ball and imposing marquee typical of Bolland's games. |
Bolland 1930s

Little Stockbroker
Granville Bradshaw designed this game to exploit every loophole in the existing gaming regulations. Chance is eliminated because payouts are mechanically predetermined. Sometimes a plate was displayed on the machine indicating the precise sequence of payouts, but even without this, it was technically possible to figure out the sequence by watching or playing until the 69 step sequence repeated. Payouts are indicated before a coin has been staked in what became known as the future pay system. This meant that when a win was indicated, the player had to insert another coin to claim it. Players failing to read or understand the instructions often left with a payout pending, for others to claim.
The staid stock market trading theme is a deliberate move away from the racy fruit machine symbols. The disc indicating winning and losing stock judders into position giving some illusion of randomness, but play is hardly exhilarating. Nevertheless, the game was quite successful and appeared in great numbers at arcades that wished to satisfy demand gambling machines without risking the proscribed one arm bandits. |
Bradshaw 1928

Goal! (Each Way)
Despite the fact that I live in the geographic center of the US, I have been fortunate to stumble across three Oliver Whales Allwins. Unfortunately, two were the same - Each Way. Not wanting to have two identical machines I contacted Jim Witherspoon at endofthepier.com and asked if he could reconfigure another backflash to fit the payout format of the Each Way and he came up with this “Goal!” soccer themed set of flashes. I restored the old Each Way and resurrected it as a Goal! |
Oliver Whales Mid 50s

9 Results
Cat themed Allwin recently restored in the U.S. Back and top flashes recreated by Jim Witherspoon of endofthepier.com |
Oliver Whales Mid 50s
Your Fortune Told
Victorian Demo-Promo 1895 Model by Argyle Automatic 541 Caledonian Rd London N London entrepreneur Colonel John Hiodini Meurice, Magician born John Jones with the pseudonym Professor John Luigi Meurice Hiodini. Maurice started his business circa 1890 at 39 Argyle Square to sell cards for all types of machines In order to show cards to buyers he developed his own auto machine without any price tags. Victorian utilitarian design with its rustic paintwork and probably his earliest automatic Catch for quick card loading and visuals without having to lock and unlock the door. Three lift off hinges on each side panel which were possibly for mirror flaps. Two hinges on top for a maker’s name and also a carrying handle. Evidence of previous tags attached to the rear boards. Clairvoyance uses the “magnetism” from mirrors Arnold Genthe Yft photo dates 1895-1906 Crystal Ball shows the fortune. Arnold Genthe, born Berlin in 1869, died Milford, CT on Aug 9, 1942. He studied classical philosophy, archaeology, and philosophy receiving a PhD in 1894 in Paris; a linguist proficient in eight languages. Genthe moved to San Francisco in 1895 and opened a portrait studio working with gelatin dry-plate negatives in platinum and silver where he produced monochromes and he started colour in 1908. Yfdaa places her hands gently on the crystal ball to energise it and to strengthen the psychic rapport; she allows her eyes to relax and become slightly unfocused and stares deeply to visualise the question. A mist starts to form in the crystal ball which slowly grows to fill the ball, gradually it clears to reveal images; her subconscious mind knows what information you need to know. The images may not be related to your question but the more she works with the crystal ball the better Yftaa will get at being able to see and let the images flow. They will change and take you wherever they choose you to go. All will eventually be revealed and become understood. Each crystal ball is unique and has its own individual personality and emit energy in all directions and can produce visions when stared at for a long time. Light reflected from a polished surface will eventually exhaust the eye's sensitive optic nerve so that it stops transmitting an external image. Without an exterior impression to fix itself on, the eye begins to respond to stimuli coming from the mind or subconscious of itself, from the past, the present or the future. Repatriated with two original demo "Wings" Now has a full set of original cards & back lighting |
Colonel Maurice J Hoiudini 1895