I had no idea that you could OWN a pinball machine! So began my early ignorance. It was 1960 and I was 13 years old. My parents loved to take their fishing boat out on Lake Michigan. I didn't. I wanted to stay in the Dock Side restaurant/bar and play their pinball machines! My parents would give me a roll of dimes and take off fishing - I stayed and played the Silver Ball! From that point forward I only ever saw and played pinball machines in eating/drinking establishments. That meant in my mind that only Bar or Restaurant owners could get/own a pinball machine. My blind ignorance continued for over 20 years until one day in 1983 when I happened to drive by a store front that said something like "..Amusements..", and I stopped for a closer look. And through the front window I could see jukeboxes and pinball machines! This must be where the Bar owners buy their pinball machines! I was hesitant to walk in - I didn't own a Bar and I'd probably be asked to leave. My heart pounding, I decided to play dumb (easy for me at this point) and walked in. I finally asked, "Do you need a License or something to own one of these?" I remembered he chuckled slightly and said "No. Would you like to buy one?" From that moment on my Pinball World changed forever! In hindsight, that store was owned by a local operator who had on location lots of money-making video machines i.e. Pac-Man. He also had about 50 pinball machines collecting dust because they weren't doing well on location. He had 3 of the same title - Haunted House. I asked how much for one of those? He said $1,000. I asked if he'd take $800? He said Sure. (The Invoice is attached)
I couldn't believe it. Suddenly I actually owned a pinball machine - something that I had never thought was possible! As it turned out that operator
had bought all 3 HHs brand new, operated them for less than 10 months, and pulled
them for lack of profit. It wasn't until
much later that I realized what a great deal I got. I just happened to be in the right place at
the right time.
And the delightful madness continues with that original HH still in my collection today!
