Guide to Vintage Trade Stimulators & Counter Games

by Richard M. Bueschel

The perfect vintage collectible is one with a beginning and an end, and yet still numerous enough to enable enthusiasts to build collections. Here's a comprehensive guide to just such a collectible. Coin operated trade stimulators and counter games got their start in the saloons of the 1880s. Things changed with the coming of the Prohibition and the disappearance of saloons in 1920. Checkout counters in stores, restaurants, and cigar shops became the primary locations, where these counter games helped stimulate trade. The Great Depression, followed by the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933 propelled the industry to new heights and prominent makers such as Groetchen Tool, Buckley, Bally, Pierce Tool, and many others were kept busy until the 1960s. You'll get to know all the makers and their machines by name, date, and appearance in this colorful collector's guide. Over 800 photos, detailed machine descriptions, manufacturer production data, and an interchangeable machine name list will make you an instant expert, ready for shows, auctions, and collector trading. The accompanying price guide will insure that you buy or sell smart and well. Plus, you'll enjoy every page for its interesting history and content in the most complete book on this subject to ever see print.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Richard Martin Bueschel

Richard M. Bueschel (1926-1998) was and probably always will be the most prolific author and historian that our hobby will ever know. Dick most enjoyed “the fun of the search and the knowledge gained”. His view was that “If it’s good for the hobby, it ought to be done.” He penned dozens of books about coin operated machines.

He also edited a multitude of coin-op magazines and periodicals. Dick inspired us by sharing his collection of coin machine paper including photographs, vintage advertising and trade magazines. Dick also helped to lead the way towards the legalization of slot machine collecting throughout most of America.

Dick grew up in the heart of the coin operated machine industry, Chicago, during the 1930’s and 40’s. His primary focus was on gambling machines, but he also wrote about pinball, arcade, penny scales and vending among many other topics.

He served in the United States Air Force during 1945 and 1946. This led to his interest in Japanese war planes and subsequent books about these aircraft. His business career was as a creative person in industrial advertising agencies. Our hobby would not be remotely close to where it is today, not only in historical knowledge, but in the number of collectors, had it not been for the efforts and inspiration of Richard M. Bueschel.