One of the leading national experts on pinball machines is my old friend
Tim Arnold.  Among other things, he owns the second largest (last I heard)
collection of pinball machines in the world, which is housed in his
private pinball museum in Las Vegas, Nev.

I don't know how to contact him in Nevada, but you should be able to reach
him through main Pinball Pete's store on Albert Ave. in East Lansing,
Mich.  Tim's brothers Tom and Ziff are still the owners there, and Tim
still frequently shows up to make acerbic comments.

For those of you into cult TV, Tim is also the host of the Sloucho Barx
cable television show.

Tim, Tom and Ziff (guys I knew since high school) made their fortune in
pinball and video games.  When the city of East Lansing sold $12 million
in revenue bonds for the brightly-colored multistory parking structure on
the former site of Malcolm X's boyhood home, the Arnold brothers
reportedly bought the bonds.

But if you want to talk pinball history, Tim's the guy you should get hold
of.  His museum, though not technically open to the public, welcomes
"scholars of pinball."

---
Lawrence Kestenbaum, [log in to unmask]
The Political Graveyard, http://politicalgraveyard.com


On Tue, 8 Jun 1999, Pam Blythe wrote:

> Anyone of you preservationists into this stuff?
>
> - Pam
> ---------------------- Forwarded by Pam Blythe on 06/08/99 09:11 AM
> ---------------------------
>
> From:     Bonnie Watts
> Date:     06/07/99 05:19:07 PM
> Subject:  what do you know about
>
> pinball machines.....really old pinball machines?
>
> I have a pinball machine that I'm trying to get more information on, such
> as value, restorations, and history. I found general information on the
> internet about machines in the 36-40 era, however nothing specific to the
> name or manufacturer.
>
>
> "Commodore"
> Made by Chicago Coin Machine
> US patent-several, the last year listed on the coin plate is 1936
> Game Inspection-metal stamp, "Expires...1941"
> A nickel is required for play (Classic for this era)
> There are no flippers-you take your chances with the bumpers or shake the
> table being careful not to tilt. (Classic for this era)
>
> The back glass shows several "girls" dressed in sailor outfits. (short
> tees, hot pants, heels, and sailor hats.)
>
> The game is in excellent condition, save a couple of rubber bumpers that
> have begun to shred and a burnt out light or two.
>
> If you know of anyone who might have knowledge or interest on this sort of
> item, please ask them to contact me.
>
> Bonnie
> 240-7380
> 334-5268
>