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(7 records match)
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Date Name  (Click to display that game) MFG Type Prod. Specialty Pl. Model Pics Rating
* indicates Project Date, not Manufacture Date1955-12* Crosswords Bally EM 450  Bingo Machine 1p 575 22 8.2
???? Hi-Ball (Improved) Peo PM 1p 14  
1964-10 North Star Gottlieb EM 2,525 1p 208 41 7.7
1935-06 Spelling Bee L & R Manufactu... EM 1p 35  
* indicates Project Date, not Manufacture Date1959-03* Spelling Bee Williams EM none 1p 227  
1956 Spelling-Bee Bally EM  Bingo Machine 1p 19  
1999-06 Star Wars Episode I Williams SS 3,525 4p 50069 64 7.5

Crosswords / IPD No. 606 / December 12, 1955 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: Needs More Ratings!         8.2 / 10  (1 ratings)   [ Add Your Rating! ]
Manufacturer: Bally Manufacturing Corporation (1931-1983) [Trade Name: Bally]
Project Date: December 12, 1955
Model Number: 575
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM) [?]
Production: 450 units   (confirmed)
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Specialty: Bingo Machine [?]
Notable Features: Trap holes (18). Balls landing in lettered holes on the playfield light the corresponding letters on the backglass to form words.

Patent No. USD177,950 [CABINET FOR AMUSEMENT APPARATUS] filed November 7, 1955. Granted December 16, 1958 to Charles G. Troeller, Chicago, and Donald E. Hooker, Wilmette, Ill., assignors to Raymond T. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Design by: Don Hooker
Notes: Same game as Bally's 1956 'Spelling-Bee' but backglass has different colors.

Bally referred to this game as a "recreation vender" for placement in locations that would not accept traditional bingo machines. It has no multiple-coin capacity or variable odds.

Photos in: The Billboard, Feb-11-1956, page 94
Coin Machine Journal, March 1956, page 29
GameRoom Magazine, Vol 6 No. 10, October 1994, page 17
Bally Bingo Pinball Machines, page 33
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 577: Crosswords Playfield
Playfield

426x531
[Russ Jensen]
Image # 578: Crosswords Backglass
Backglass

436x425
[Russ Jensen]
Image # 7779: Crosswords Flyer
Flyer

775x1188
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 52136: Crosswords Coin Machine Journal New Game Announcement 
(Coin Machine Journal, March 1956, page 29)
Coin Machine Journal New Game Announcement*

1002x606
[Rob Hawkins]
Image # 53164: Crosswords Playfield Serial Number 
(Serial number C1090.)
Playfield Serial Number*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 53165: Crosswords Cabinet Serial Number 
(Serial number C1090.)
Cabinet Serial Number*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61312: Crosswords Backglass 
(Serial number C1090.)
Backglass*

1200x1600
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61313: Crosswords Playfield 
(Serial number C1090.)
Playfield*

1200x1600
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61314: Crosswords Upper Playfield 
(Serial number C1090.)
Upper Playfield*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61315: Crosswords Lower Playfield 
(Serial number C1090.)
Lower Playfield*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61316: Crosswords Instruction Card 
(Serial number C1090.)
Instruction Card*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61317: Crosswords Score Card 
(Serial number C1090.)
Score Card*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61318: Crosswords Cabinet - Left 
(Serial number C1090.)
Cabinet - Left*

964x1600
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61319: Crosswords Cabinet - Front View 
(Serial number C1090.)
Cabinet - Front View*

734x1521
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61320: Crosswords Cabinet - Front 
(Serial number C1090.)
Cabinet - Front*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61321: Crosswords Inside Coin Door 
(Serial number C1090.)
Inside Coin Door*

1036x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61322: Crosswords Inside Front Door 
(Serial number C1090.)
Inside Front Door*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61323: Crosswords Cabinet - Rear 
(Serial number C1090.)
Cabinet - Rear*

771x1598
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61324: Crosswords Inside Backbox 
(Serial number C1090.)
Inside Backbox*

1102x1513
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61325: Crosswords Inside Back Door 
(Serial number C1090.)
Inside Back Door*

1074x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61326: Crosswords Inside Backbox 
(Serial number C1090.)
Inside Backbox*

1200x900
[Dennis Dodel]
Image # 61327: Crosswords Alternate Score Cards 
(From the game with serial number C1090.)
Alternate Score Cards*

960x785
[Dennis Dodel]
 

Hi-Ball (Improved) / IPD No. 5377 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: No ratings on file         [ Be first to rate this game! ]
Manufacturer: Peo Manufacturing Corporation, of Rochester, New York, USA (1932-1936)
Type: Pure Mechanical (PM) [?]
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Notable Features: 10 balls for 5 cents. One advertisement listed the cabinet dimensions as 37 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 40 inches high (on its detachable legs). Another ad indicated 37 inches long, 18 inches wide, and was sold "complete with a sturdy wooden stand". The legless game pictured here measured 37 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 8 inches high.

A sticker on the lower playfield states "Gold, blue, and bronze balls count double if placed in corresponding pockets."

Notes: This was the "improved" version of Peo's 1932 'Hi-Ball' having a "new, colorful playing board". The playfield's most noticeable difference is that the parallel ball guides at the top are shorter in length.

Irving Bromberg and Company, self-described as the exclusive distributor of this game, published ads in two different periodicals in May 1932, both shown here, spelling the name as "Hi-Ball" in one ad while inexplicably spelling it as "Hy-Ball" in the other. The alternate spelling may have been an unintentional error, as we have no information that the game pictured was manufactured by Peo under that spelling. Perhaps the name "Hy-Ball" was adopted by Bromberg to differentiate this improved version from the original version, in place of having to continually refer to it in print as the "new Hi-Ball".

Photos in: Marketplace Pictorial History, June 1980, page 11
The Billboard, May-7-1932, page 64
Automatic Age, May 1932, page 54
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 39322: Hi-Ball (Improved) Marketplace Ad Reprint 
(Marketplace Pictorial History, June 1980, page 11)
Marketplace Ad Reprint*

838x746
[Jay Stafford]
Image # 39324: Hi-Ball (Improved) Billboard Ad 
(The Billboard, May-7-1932, page 64)
Billboard Ad*

1024x610
[Rob Hawkins]
Image # 39381: Hi-Ball (Improved) Automatic Age Ad 
(Automatic Age, May 1932, page 54)
Automatic Age Ad*

1024x1653
[Rob Hawkins]
Image # 50116: Hi-Ball (Improved) Playfield
Playfield

384x640
 
Image # 50117: Hi-Ball (Improved) Playfield
Playfield

640x320
 
Image # 50118: Hi-Ball (Improved) Upper Playfield
Upper Playfield

640x480
 
Image # 50119: Hi-Ball (Improved) Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

640x480
 
Image # 50120: Hi-Ball (Improved) Instructions and Score Card
Instructions and Score Card

640x480
 
Image # 50121: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Left
Cabinet - Left

640x290
 
Image # 50122: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Right
Cabinet - Right

640x263
 
Image # 50123: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

571x367
 
Image # 50124: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

564x480
 
Image # 50125: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

640x480
 
Image # 50126: Hi-Ball (Improved) Cabinet - Bottom
Cabinet - Bottom

428x640
 
 
Source: Marketplace [?]

North Star / IPD No. 1683 / October, 1964 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: [ 8 stars - Click for comments ]    7.7/10  (48 ratings/30 comments)        [ Add Your Rating! ]
Manufacturer: D. Gottlieb & Company (1931-1977) [Trade Name: Gottlieb]
Date Of Manufacture: October, 1964
Model Number: 208
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM) [?]
Production: 2,525 units   (confirmed)
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Theme: World Places
Notable Features: Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (5), Passive bumpers (2), Slingshots (2), Kick-out holes (2). 3 or 5 ball play.

Maximum displayed point score is 1,999 points.

Tilt penalty: game over.

Design by: Wayne Neyens
Art by: Roy Parker
Notes: A Sample game with serial number ‘01046 S’ is pictured here. The primary differences from the Production version are:
1) Backglass: the words 'Game Over' are obvious when not lit. The Production game does not have this.
2) Playfield: only the white inserts are translucent. The other inserts are transparent. In contrast, all inserts on the Production version are translucent.
3) Cabinet: the front has a blue stripe on the hinge side and a red stripe on the lock side, as shown in the flyer. Production games have the red and blue reversed from this.

The game in the flyer has a Production backglass, the translucent inserts of a Sample playfield, and the striping of a Sample cabinet.

We show two examples of Sample backglasses. One glass, having partial serial number ending with '076 S', has areas where the reds have obviously faded: the lady's parka and boots, the polar bear's tongue, the musical G-clef, the thin oval loop around the score reels, the striped North Pole, and the letters spelling Game Over. Initially, it seemed hard to believe that the variegated sky all along the top of this glass had suffered from red fade as well, given how remarkably selective the red fading would have had to have been to have wound up looking like the checkerboard pattern that remains, had it originally been the two-tone red like the production glasses, and with even the vertical red squiggly lines having survived. At first, we thought this variegation were original Sample colors especially when we saw how strongly the variegation showed up on our black-and white Sample image from a German magazine from 1967, where the alternating light and dark pattern seemed more pronounced than on any Production glass. However, the alternation of light and dark in this magazine image does not match this Sample glass. When we subsequently received Sample glass number ‘01046 S’ having no red fade in any areas, its alternating red and orange sky may be what the camera picked up in the German magazine image.

In the book The Pinball Compendium Electro-mechanical Era, Wayne Neyens explained that Roy Parker is the artist of this game, not Art Stenholm as previously believed. Wayne points out that he (Wayne) was there when the artwork came in (from Advertising Posters, Inc.).

Comparisons have been made by others of the artwork of North Star and backglass art known to have been done by Art Stenholm, on the belief that he is the actual artist of this game and not Parker, noting for example his style of drawing faces and his use of people seated with their legs folded and/or playing guitar. We have not studied all of Parker's glasses to try to determine if Stenholm's portrayals were exclusively his, and no one has approached us as having done this study.

Dave Gottlieb had stipulated that Roy Parker work exclusively for Gottlieb. Wayne stated that Parker's last artwork for Gottlieb before his death was Mayfair in 1966, and Stenholm's first game for Gottlieb was Masquerade, also in 1966. This is two years after North Star.

Wayne did tell us later that it was possible that Stenholm was helping Parker and that Gottlieb was just not aware of that. We note that Stenholm succeeded Parker as the Gottlieb artist, suggesting that he was preferred over the remaining choices at Advertising Posters, and from this we speculate his artwork would not have been unacceptable to Gottlieb in 1964.

We followed up with Wayne about the continuing concern. He comments on separate occasions:

Parker was our Artist until he passed away December 18, 1965. He was employed by Reproduction Graphics until they burned down for the second and last time. It was then that we went to Advertising Posters and started doing business with them but with the stipulation that they would hire Parker and that he would work solely for Gottlieb. Now Leroy Parker was an honorable man and I cannot see him coming over to our office and presenting Stenholm's work as his own. I can perhaps visualize a studio full of pieces of paper with sketches of various poses etc. of all kinds and Parker might have picked one up and copied it. But you know that Parker also had a studio at his home where he did a lot of his work. I would also think it more likely that Stenholm copied from Parker.

As for North Star, we built that game starting in September of 1964. That would mean the art work would have been completed several months prior to September 1964. Parker died December 18, 1965 and as far as I can recall he did all our work right up into 1965. Now I suppose it is possible that Art was assisting Parker and we were not aware of it. Studying the picture I can say that it is not one of Parker's greatest glasses but his style shows through I believe.


We previously showed a date for this game of September 1964. The new date is per Gottlieb documentation provided to us by Wayne Neyens.

Photos in: Cash Box, Oct-17-1964, page 79
Pinball 1External Link Illustrated Historical Guide to Pinball Machines Volume 1, page 229
Pinball ArtExternal Link, page 69
The Complete Pinball BookExternal Link, page 167
The Pinball Compendium 1930s - 1960sExternal Link, pages 172 and 215
Mike Pacak's Pinball Flyer Reference Book G-R
The Pinball Compendium Electro-mechanical Era, page 143
Owners List URL:http://www.pinballowners.com/owners/1683  (External site)
Files: — KB PDF Paperwork Included With Sample Game (Availability limited by copyright)     [D. Gottlieb & Company]
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 1624: North Star Backglass
Backglass

488x424
 
Image # 1626: North Star Playfield
Playfield

492x709
[Russ Jensen]
Image # 4861: North Star Flyer
Flyer

832x1113
 
Image # 6347: North Star Backglass
Backglass

745x701
[Riffhard]
Image # 6348: North Star Playfield
Playfield

755x960
[Riffhard]
Image # 21187: North Star 'Automaten Markt' Front Cover 
(From the German operator magazine Automaten Markt, September 1967. This location appears years later in Sharpe's Pinball! page 95.)
'Automaten Markt' Front Cover*

825x1164
[Christian Jacobs]
Image # 22532: North Star Playfield
Playfield

800x831
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 22533: North Star Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

700x933
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 22534: North Star Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

700x933
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 22535: North Star Illuminated Backglass - Detail
Illuminated Backglass - Detail

700x834
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 22536: North Star Illuminated Backglass - Detail
Illuminated Backglass - Detail

700x1001
[Raphael Lankar]
Image # 23125: North Star Illuminated Front View
Illuminated Front View

1024x1365
[Vic Camp]
Image # 23126: North Star Illuminated Backglass
Illuminated Backglass

1024x1365
[Vic Camp]
Image # 27671: North Star Inside Backbox
Inside Backbox

700x553
[Jim Palson]
Image # 27672: North Star Under Playfield
Under Playfield

1024x1365
[Jim Palson]
Image # 30401: North Star Backglass - Detail
Backglass - Detail

400x300
[Bruno Durand]
Image # 35039: North Star Stripped Playfield
Stripped Playfield

1024x682
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 35040: North Star Instruction and Score Card
Instruction and Score Card

960x692
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 35041: North Star Under Playfield
Under Playfield

1024x1537
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 35042: North Star Inside Cabinet
Inside Cabinet

1024x1537
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 35043: North Star Trip Relay Bank
Trip Relay Bank

1024x682
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 35044: North Star Score Motor Chart
Score Motor Chart

1024x682
[Bill Medwin]
Image # 48718: North Star Backglass
Backglass

960x1280
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48719: North Star Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

1200x900
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48720: North Star Sample Game - Backglass with Red Fade 
(This backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Backglass with Red Fade*

960x1124
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48722: North Star Sample Game - Playfield 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Playfield*

960x1280
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48723: North Star Sample Game - Upper Playfield 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Upper Playfield*

1024x768
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48724: North Star Sample Game - Middle Playfield 
(Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Middle Playfield*

1024x768
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48725: North Star Sample Game - Lower Playfield 
(Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Lower Playfield*

982x768
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48726: North Star Sample Game - Front View 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. The backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Front View*

868x1280
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48727: North Star Sample Game - Cabinet - Left 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. The backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Cabinet - Left*

908x1212
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48728: North Star Sample Game - Cabinet - Right 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. The backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Cabinet - Right*

960x1228
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48729: North Star Sample Game - Full View 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. The backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Full View*

516x726
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48730: North Star Sample Game - Front View 
(The two passive bumpers at the very top of the playfield have blue skirts. Their caps should also be blue. The backglass has red fade. Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Front View*

640x1212
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 48731: North Star Sample Game - Cabinet - Front 
(Cabinet has partial serial number ending with '076 S'.)
Sample Game - Cabinet - Front*

876x768
[Bob Herbison]
Image # 52589: North Star Sample Game - Plexiglas Backglass 
(The gold stars between the score reels are stickers added by the game owner. Serial number 01046 S.)
Sample Game - Plexiglas Backglass*

704x768
[Jost Berger]
Image # 52590: North Star Sample Game - Illuminated Backglass 
(The gold stars between the score reels are stickers added by the game owner. Serial number 01046 S.)
Sample Game - Illuminated Backglass*

756x768
[Jost Berger]
Image # 52591: North Star Sample Game - Illuminated Playfield 
(Serial number 01046 S.)
Sample Game - Illuminated Playfield*

768x1024
[Jost Berger]
Image # 52592: North Star Sample Game - Full View 
(The gold stars between the score reels are stickers added by the game owner. Serial number 01046 S.)
Sample Game - Full View*

1024x768
[Jost Berger]
Image # 52593: North Star Sample Game - Serial Number 
(Serial number 01046 S.)
Sample Game - Serial Number*

1024x768
[Jost Berger]
Image # 60696: North Star Cash Box New Game Anouncement 
(Cash Box, Oct-17-1964, page 79)
Cash Box New Game Anouncement*

1200x1628
[Rob Hawkins]
 

Spelling Bee / IPD No. 4385 / June, 1935 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: No ratings on file         [ Be first to rate this game! ]
Manufacturer: L & R Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, Illinois, USA (1935)
Date Of Manufacture: June, 1935
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM) [?]
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Theme: Education - School
Notable Features: 10 balls for 5 cents. Trap holes (27). Battery operated. Short backbox.
Notes: Sold new for $39.50.
Photos in: The Billboard, Jul-13-1935, page 64
Pinball Ad Catalog Volume 2, 1934-1935, page 281
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 49219: Spelling Bee Billboard Ad 
(The Billboard, Jun-29-1935, page 118)
Billboard Ad*

1200x886
[Rob Hawkins]
Image # 49220: Spelling Bee Billboard Ad 
(The Billboard, Jul-13-1935, page 64)
Billboard Ad*

1200x1783
[Rob Hawkins]
Image # 49221: Spelling Bee Backglass
Backglass

720x477
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49222: Spelling Bee Playfield
Playfield

448x576
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49223: Spelling Bee Lower Playfield
Lower Playfield

720x441
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49224: Spelling Bee Price Card
Price Card

576x432
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49225: Spelling Bee Score Card
Score Card

397x576
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49226: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Left
Cabinet - Left

648x593
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49227: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Right
Cabinet - Right

648x570
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49228: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

648x486
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49229: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Rear
Cabinet - Rear

648x534
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49230: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Front View
Cabinet - Front View

361x536
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49231: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Front View
Cabinet - Front View

513x576
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49232: Spelling Bee Coin Chute
Coin Chute

432x576
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49233: Spelling Bee Inside Coin Door 
(The tag says 'No-115 inspected by Sherman'. )
Inside Coin Door*

648x447
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49234: Spelling Bee Inside Front Door
Inside Front Door

648x486
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49235: Spelling Bee Inside Front Door
Inside Front Door

648x486
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49236: Spelling Bee Inside Cabinet 
(The lever that lifts the balls is missing from this game.)
Inside Cabinet*

720x500
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49237: Spelling Bee Inside Cabinet 
(The lever that lifts the balls is missing from this game.)
Inside Cabinet*

540x720
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49238: Spelling Bee Inside Cabinet 
(The lever that lifts the balls is missing from this game.)
Inside Cabinet*

432x576
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49239: Spelling Bee Ball Shooter 
(The lever that lifts the balls is missing from this game.)
Ball Shooter*

408x720
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49240: Spelling Bee Under Playfield
Under Playfield

402x720
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49241: Spelling Bee Under Playfield - Detail
Under Playfield - Detail

455x636
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49242: Spelling Bee Under Playfield - Detail
Under Playfield - Detail

597x540
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49243: Spelling Bee Under Playfield - Detail
Under Playfield - Detail

540x720
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49244: Spelling Bee Under Playfield - Detail
Under Playfield - Detail

720x540
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49245: Spelling Bee Inside Backbox
Inside Backbox

720x217
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49246: Spelling Bee Inside Backbox - Detail
Inside Backbox - Detail

720x443
[Bill Smith]
Image # 49247: Spelling Bee Coin Box
Coin Box

720x499
[Bill Smith]
Image # 64721: Spelling Bee Backglass
Backglass

1200x697
[Bill Connelly]
Image # 64722: Spelling Bee Upper Playfield
Upper Playfield

1200x780
[Bill Connelly]
Image # 64723: Spelling Bee Lower Playfield
Lower Playfield

1200x827
[Bill Connelly]
Image # 64724: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Front View
Cabinet - Front View

847x974
[Bill Connelly]
Image # 64725: Spelling Bee Cabinet - Full View
Cabinet - Full View

1129x937
[Bill Connelly]
Image # 64726: Spelling Bee Legs
Legs

1200x324
[Bill Connelly]
 

Spelling Bee / IPD No. 6299 / March, 1959 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Manufacturer: Williams Electronic Manufacturing Corporation (1958-1967) [Trade Name: Williams]
Project Date: March, 1959
Model Number: 227
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM) [?]
Production: Never Produced
Notable Features: Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (3), Passive bumpers (4), Kick-out holes (9).
Design by: Harry Williams
Notes: The manufacturer's original playfield drawing (not shown here) is stamped ORIGINAL, drawn on 3/17/59 by Harry Mabs and approved 3/18/59 by HEW. This means Mabs was the draftsman and Williams was the designer.


Duncan Brown provided the following information based on that drawing:

It’s a pinball with 2 flippers, 4 dead bumpers, 3 Jet bumpers, and 2-above-3-above-4 pyramid of kick-out holes (like an inverted bolwing pin setup without the head pin). I have to believe that was a kicker assembly where they all acted together from one solenoid, or maybe 3 rows with 3 solenoids, so every kicker in a row acted together, but then the ball might land in the next row down. No kicker angles are shown, the holes are simply described as "Dished 1-3/16 holes." In pondering whether any of the "Mabs" playfields were really someone else’s and just signed off on by Mabs as Engineering Manager, I decided no because no other known names were ever on them. He was clearly approving clean drawings of his own ideas. But here is the one and only time his name appears with another known designer, and this time it’s as the draftsman, something he didn't often do even on his own games! I'm sure there’s a story there (that we’ll never know…)

There is an insert drawing for this! Lit scoring, 1 player, dated 6-24-59. At some later time, in what looks like Kordek's handwriting, it is noted as "Cancelled. Never Made".

Source: Williams documentation [?]

Spelling-Bee / IPD No. 5791 / 1956 / 1 Player
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: No ratings on file         [ Be first to rate this game! ]
Manufacturer: Bally Manufacturing Corporation (1931-1983) [Trade Name: Bally]
Date Of Manufacture: 1956
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM) [?]
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Specialty: Bingo Machine [?]
Notable Features: Trap holes (18). Balls landing in lettered holes on the playfield light the corresponding letters on the backglass to form words.

Patent No. USD177,950 [CABINET FOR AMUSEMENT APPARATUS] filed November 7, 1955. Granted December 16, 1958 to Charles G. Troeller, Chicago, and Donald E. Hooker, Wilmette, Ill., assignors to Raymond T. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Notes: Same game as Bally's 1955 'Crosswords' but backglass has different colors.

This game was ideal for placement in locations that would not accept traditional bingo machines. It has no multiple-coin capacity or variable odds.

The game shown here has its lower cabinet and playfield each stamped with serial number S1333 while its backbox is stamped as S333. Stapled inside the backbox is a manufacturer's tag indicating the name 'Bally Crosswords'. This would indicate that 'Spelling-Bee' was not produced ahead of that game. Its backglass shows the year 1956.

Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 53166: Spelling-Bee Backglass 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Backglass*

1018x900
 
Image # 53167: Spelling-Bee Backglass - Detail 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Backglass - Detail*

1200x900
 
Image # 53168: Spelling-Bee Playfield 
(Serial number S1333.)
Playfield*

1200x1600
 
Image # 53169: Spelling-Bee Playfield Serial Number 
(Serial number S1333.)
Playfield Serial Number*

1200x900
 
Image # 53170: Spelling-Bee Cabinet - Left 
(Lower cabinet serial number S1333. Backbox serial number S333.)
Cabinet - Left*

1022x1600
 
Image # 53171: Spelling-Bee Cabinet - Right 
(Lower cabinet serial number S1333. Backbox serial number S333.)
Cabinet - Right*

1031x1600
 
Image # 53172: Spelling-Bee Cabinet - Front 
(Lower cabinet serial number S1333.)
Cabinet - Front*

1200x786
 
Image # 53173: Spelling-Bee Cabinet Serial Number 
(Serial number S1333.)
Cabinet Serial Number*

936x860
 
Image # 53174: Spelling-Bee Cabinet Serial Number 
(Serial number S1333.)
Cabinet Serial Number*

1200x900
 
Image # 53175: Spelling-Bee Backbox Serial Number 
(Serial number S333.)
Backbox Serial Number*

809x767
 
Image # 53176: Spelling-Bee Backbox Serial Number 
(Serial number S333.)
Backbox Serial Number*

1200x900
 
Image # 53177: Spelling-Bee Under Playfield 
(Lower cabinet serial number S1333.)
Under Playfield*

1200x900
 
Image # 53178: Spelling-Bee Inside Cabinet 
(Lower cabinet serial number S1333.)
Inside Cabinet*

1200x900
 
Image # 53179: Spelling-Bee Inside Back Door 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Back Door*

1200x900
 
Image # 53180: Spelling-Bee Inside Backbox 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Backbox*

1200x900
 
Image # 53181: Spelling-Bee Inside Backbox 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Backbox*

1200x900
 
Image # 53182: Spelling-Bee Inside Backbox 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Backbox*

1200x900
 
Image # 53183: Spelling-Bee Inside Backbox - Detail 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Backbox - Detail*

1200x900
 
Image # 53184: Spelling-Bee Inside Backbox - Detail 
(Backbox serial number S333.)
Inside Backbox - Detail*

1200x900
 
 
Source: ebay May 2012 [?]

Star Wars Episode I / IPD No. 4458 / June, 1999 / 4 Players
 
[ Submit Changes ]
Average Fun Rating: [ 8 stars - Click for comments ]    7.5/10  (117 ratings/85 comments)        [ Add Your Rating! ]
Manufacturer: Williams Electronics Games, Incorporated, a subsidiary of WMS Ind.,
Incorporated (1985-1999) [Trade Name: Williams]
Date Of Manufacture: June, 1999
Model Number: 50069
Common Abbreviations: SWE1, SWE:1, SWEP1
MPU: Williams Pinball 2000
Type: Solid State Electronic (SS) [?]
Production: 3,525 units   (confirmed)
Serial Number Database:View at The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database (IPSND.net)  (External site)
Theme: Outer Space - Licensed Theme
Concept by: John Popadiuk
Design by: John Popadiuk
Art by: Dave Mueller, Paul Barker, Kevin O'Connor
Dots/Animation by: Alan Cruz, Jack Liddon
Mechanics by: Jack Skalon, Bob Brown
Music by: Eric Pryzby
Sound by: Eric Pryzby
Software by: Cameron Silver, Duncan Brown
Notes: 2nd game produced using the Pinball 2000 (PB2K) platform. Was also available as a conversion kit for Revenge From Mars.

Last game manufactured by WMS industries (Williams and Bally labels) before the announcement to close their doors on October 25, 1999. The jet bumper rule of the 1.4 software reminds players of that date. (The number of points for spelling Jar Jar is 19,992,510; This is the date 25-10-1999, the same day WMS announced the closing of their pinball branch.)

Ted Estes, a former WMS employee has a story about buying and manufacturing the second to last Williams pinball machine built in the 20th century. Click here.

According to Kevin O'Connor at the 2004 Texas Pinball Festival, the Darth Maul character in the video sequence is actually Kevin himself, who trained for several weeks in stick fighting so he could be filmed against a green screen and appear in the game.

A number of the final cabinets made for this game had plaques affixed to them indicating sequentially numbered games up to a quantity of 5100. We do not know how many of these cabinets had such plaques, but a number of 200 (unconfirmed to us) is floating around in general discussion. Other cabinets had a different plaque for "The Final Collector's Series of 100". Duncan Brown tells us that these type of plaques were used to move the final inventory out the door at full price, and this was done by manufacturing facility people long after all of the engineering people were let go, the engineering people being the ones most likely to care about this sort of thing, therefore exact numbers for each plaque may not be known, in spite of what numbers the plaques might show. For instance, there could be two series of "100" plaques, for all we know. Perhaps the difficult task of locating and counting available plaques would be necessary to estimate their quantities. In contrast to our stated Production Run number of 3,525 units, Duncan believes they made 5100 units (plus playfield kits), but he remembers being told the number was more like 5,103.

Shown in this listing is a one-off game having a gold cabinet. Duncan tells us it was made just like any other game, but with a gold laminate on the cabinet parts instead of the usual black, before the art was applied. It has serial number 5371, a number that he believes was fabricated and not indicative of the total number of games made. He thinks they merely added 200 to the serial number of the last game they saw, since they knew they were done with production and would never reach that number. If he is correct, a quick mathematical subtraction points to 5,171 games made, but Duncan allows that not all serial numbers may have been used to arrive at that number. For instance, if something as trivial as a serial number label printer jammed, they would just skip over the affected numbers and move on.

The Dupont Chromalin prototype playfield laminate shown in this listing has pink outlines around the artwork. Production playfields had yellow. Other minor difference are that Anakin’s Hair is yellow and the letters JEDI are outlined in pink.

Photos in: The Pinball Compendium 1982 to PresentExternal Link, page 253
Rule Sheets: Rules for Williams' "Star Wars: Episode 1" Version 1.2 ROM (Feb/03/200  
Star Wars Episode 1 Quick Take (Aug/23/1999), by Krellan  
Owners List URL:http://www.pinball2000.de/ep1_owners_list.html  (External site)
Easter Eggs:Available at Cows and Easter Eggs  (External site)
Additional Media:Promotional Video (at YouTube)  (External site)
ROMs: 32 MB ZIP Full Set of all 10 Game ROMs [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
  1 MB 3 rom set 1.3 [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
  1 MB 4 rom set 1.4 [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
Documentation: 5 MB PDF English Manual [Williams Electronic Games]
  160 KB TXT Parts List
  997 KB PDF Pinball 2000 Schematic Manual [Willams Electronics Games, Inc.]
  2 KB TXT ROM Revision History [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
Files: 2 MB ZIP PUB Updater File For Starwars Episode I Version 1.5 [Williams Electronic Games Inc.]
Images:
(click to zoom)
Image # 3143: Star Wars Episode I Translite
Translite

486x368
[Todd George]
Image # 3144: Star Wars Episode I Playfield
Playfield

896x1096
[Todd George]
Image # 4599: Star Wars Episode I Flyer, Front
Flyer, Front

892x1159
 
Image # 4600: Star Wars Episode I Flyer, Back
Flyer, Back

892x1153
 
Image # 9851: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Right
Cabinet - Right

1024x768
[Christopher Wolf]
Image # 9852: Star Wars Episode I Backbox - Right
Backbox - Right

1024x1043
[Christopher Wolf]
Image # 10196: Star Wars Episode I Tips & Tricks Pamphlet, Front
"Tips & Tricks" Pamphlet, Front

1634x534
[Christopher Wolf]
Image # 10197: Star Wars Episode I Tips & Tricks Pamphlet, Back
"Tips & Tricks" Pamphlet, Back

1641x529
[Christopher Wolf]
Image # 16733: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Front View
Illuminated Front View

647x1019
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 16734: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Full View
Cabinet - Full View

675x891
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 18133: Star Wars Episode I Collector's Series Plaque
Collector's Series Plaque

1024x556
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 23327: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Front
Cabinet - Front

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23328: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Left
Cabinet - Left

700x900
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23329: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Right
Cabinet - Right

700x900
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23330: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Rear View
Cabinet - Rear View

350x500
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23331: Star Wars Episode I Upper Playfield
Upper Playfield

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23332: Star Wars Episode I Lower Playfield
Lower Playfield

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23338: Star Wars Episode I Playfield Detail
Playfield Detail

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23340: Star Wars Episode I Under Playfield
Under Playfield

350x500
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23341: Star Wars Episode I Under Lower Playfield
Under Lower Playfield

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23342: Star Wars Episode I Under Middle Playfield
Under Middle Playfield

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23343: Star Wars Episode I Under Upper Playfield
Under Upper Playfield

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23344: Star Wars Episode I Inside Cabinet
Inside Cabinet

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23345: Star Wars Episode I Inside Backbox
Inside Backbox

350x500
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23346: Star Wars Episode I Backbox - Front
Backbox - Front

700x900
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23347: Star Wars Episode I Monitor On Screen
Monitor On Screen

700x465
[Allen Shope]
Image # 23348: Star Wars Episode I Cabinet - Full View
Cabinet - Full View

700x1100
[Allen Shope]
Image # 28125: Star Wars Episode I Blank Playfield
Blank Playfield

1024x1583
[Philippe Thibault]
Image # 38792: Star Wars Episode I Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque 
(Plaque serial number 5091 of 5100.)
Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque*

646x514
[Duncan Brown]
Image # 38793: Star Wars Episode I Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque 
(Plaque serial number 5099 of 5100.)
Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque*

800x533
[Duncan Brown]
Image # 38794: Star Wars Episode I Gold Laminate Cabinet 
(Serial number 5371.)
Gold Laminate Cabinet*

352x515
[Duncan Brown]
Image # 38795: Star Wars Episode I Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque 
(Plaque serial number 5027 of 5100.)
Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque*

1024x768
[Rich Huff]
Image # 41431: Star Wars Episode I Driver Board Cover
Driver Board Cover

1200x900
[Benjamin D. Reed]
Image # 41933: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Translite
Illuminated Translite

552x616
[Marco Del Ry]
Image # 41934: Star Wars Episode I Monitor In View
Monitor In View

855x641
[Marco Del Ry]
Image # 44648: Star Wars Episode I Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque 
(Plaque serial number 5040 of 5100.)
Later Production Game - Serial Number Plaque*

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44649: Star Wars Episode I Later Production Game - Cabinet Front 
(Plaque serial number 5040 of 5100. This game is shown here still in its box from the manufacturer.)
Later Production Game - Cabinet Front*

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44650: Star Wars Episode I Audit Screen
Audit Screen

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44651: Star Wars Episode I Inside Backbox 
(The view is from the front of the game with the translite removed.)
Inside Backbox*

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44652: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44653: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44654: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44655: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44656: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44657: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44658: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44659: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44660: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44661: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Detail
Playfield - Detail

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44662: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Lower Playfield
Illuminated Lower Playfield

1200x900
[Mark Clayton]
Image # 44792: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Translite
Illuminated Translite

1024x623
[Jean-Pierre Renault]
Image # 44793: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Front View
Illuminated Front View

973x1600
[Jean-Pierre Renault]
Image # 45166: Star Wars Episode I Playfield
Playfield

1024x768
[Mark Johnson]
Image # 49132: Star Wars Episode I Chromalin Laminate For Prototype Playfield 
(Measures approximately 22 1/2 inches by 44 inches.)
Chromalin Laminate For Prototype Playfield*

310x587
[Harold Balde]
Image # 49133: Star Wars Episode I Chromalin Laminate For Prototype Playfield - Detail
Chromalin Laminate For Prototype Playfield - Detail

640x480
[Harold Balde]
Image # 51232: Star Wars Episode I Playfield - Ball View
Playfield - Ball View

1200x900
[Rob Stog]
Image # 51233: Star Wars Episode I Health Notice 
(Located on the apron.)
Health Notice*

1200x1600
[Rob Stog]
Image # 54815: Star Wars Episode I Promotional Poster 
(Provided by Williams. Measured 24 inches by 36 inches. Dated 1999.)
Promotional Poster*

451x713
[Harold Balde]
Image # 63042: Star Wars Episode I Translite
Translite

1200x771
[Duncan Brown]
Image # 66955: Star Wars Episode I Whitewood Playfield - Front 
(The signatures were added much later.)
Whitewood Playfield - Front*

1200x2269
[Dave Slabiak]
Image # 66956: Star Wars Episode I Whitewood Playfield - Back
Whitewood Playfield - Back

1200x2283
[Dave Slabiak]
Image # 66957: Star Wars Episode I Whitewood Playfield Top Edge
Whitewood Playfield Top Edge

1200x481
[Dave Slabiak]
Image # 68335: Star Wars Episode I Inside Cabinet
Inside Cabinet

1200x759
[Hansjoerg Reiter]
Image # 71773: Star Wars Episode I Illuminated Translite
Illuminated Translite

1200x764
[Francois Corthesy]
 

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