Steam Fair Auction and more...

After a distinctly slack October, our Calendar is packed for November with exciting events kicking off with Jukebox Madness, the annual jukebox, pinball, slot machine and Americana collectors' favourite event on the 4th and 5th followed two days later by Christies Mechanical Music Sale which this time will only include a few coin-operated machines. That brings us to the Central England Vintage Slot Collectors' Day and Auction (in association with MMM) on the 12th. This will be the first dedicated vintage slot machine auction held in the Midlands for many years. If you plan to put some lots into this one, get them in soon - all entries must be received by 23rd October. 80 lots were already listed when I spoke to the organizers just after the first batch of entry forms had been delivered. Entry details here.

The following weekend (Saturday 18th) comes a surprise event, just announced by Southern Counties Auctioneers: Anna Carter's (of Carters Steam Fair) Auction of Memorabilia, signs, glassware, vehicles, amusement machines, fairground rides and attractions. From first reports, I believe this will include a "moderate" number of vintage coin-operated games, but not comparable to the famous Carter's Sale of 2000. The catalogue will be available shortly and I'll post the details as soon as I have them.

Further exciting news for slot-heads (not to be confused with cross-head screws) comes with the publication of Nick Laister's Pennies by the Sea, the first book to tell the story of the British seaside amusement arcade (and the first book for vintage British slot machine enthusiasts since John Carter produced Arcades and Slot Machines in 1997). It's available in the Library for £16.00 including postage, or if you want to avoid postage, get a copy from me at the Central England Vintage Slot Collectors' Day and Auction. I'll review the book here shortly. And for those who haven't yet subscribed to Mechanical Memories Magazine, here's what you missed this month: The History of the Wall Machine Part 2 (Catchers), Slotties Day Out report, Rock-Ola Pintables Part 1 (my contribution), the BAL-AMI Junior 40 Jukebox, plus news, classified adverts etc.