Trade Stimulator??

[olecanalantiques]

We bought a few new Stimulators but one is unique? ? What do you guys think?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I can't quite make out the company name- Is it "Seas Amusement Company"? Does this function like a slot machine or is it like dealing a random hand of cards (without a suit) and you compare against another person's numbers?

[waywardangler]

I believe the company is Star Amusement Company, Tales.  Yes, I also would like to know what it does.  Just randomly put up numbers?  To beat the house or another player or?  Or do you get a charge by pulling the coin exchanger and that is why it is called "Sparky"? 

After a search, the best I could find was...Antique Mechanical Coin Operated Poker Machine, Vintage "Sparky", 5 Cents ,Counter Poker game trade stimulator, Made by Star Amusement Company

[KC]

Exactly the same thing I found wayward!  At that address is a Pub that has been around awhile!  No record of Star!

[olecanalantiques]

Yeah it just deals up random numbers after inserting a nickel...

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's a similar machine made by the same company. Unfortunately it's one of those on Worthpoint and you have to subscribe to see the amount:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jokers-wild-amusement-vending-machine

[talesofthesevenseas]

Two uprights by Star Amusement Company selling for $150.

http://www.icollector.com/Coin-operated-skill-game-candy-vendor-2-mfgd-by-Star-Amusement-Co-West-Columbia-SC-10-Cent_i8652629

[talesofthesevenseas]

Found it listed here as a trade stimulator. It dates to 1952:

http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=5586

[waywardangler]

I found the exact same Sparky's for $450-650.  Fairly scarce.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Also listed here, but no further info. The trick seems to be to search for "Star Amusement Co" rather than Company.

http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=sparky&page=detail&id=11156

[olecanalantiques]

Thanks guys, it's a pretty neat piece and at the price we got it at, im tickled to death!!

[KC]

Hal Shinn heads up Music Operators of America fund Chest Drive - Page 52   BILLBOARD newsletter Aug 7 1965
(Right above article that believes organs in churches are going to be replaced by jukeboxes!)
http://books.google.com/books?id=sCgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=Star+Amusement+Co,+Gaffney,+South+Carolina,+coin+operated&source=bl&ots=5YPybuC6wF&sig=ZJpiLbJmHXRIyBci2uyGb1PhUWw&hl=en&ei=HLT1TKO1BML7lwfF1YiTBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CC8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Star%20Amusement%20Co%2C%20Gaffney%2C%20South%20Carolina%2C%20coin%20operated&f=false

Page 99 and 104 of Dec 9, 1967 BILLBOARD   Shinn is starting the New Truck Stop Honky Tonk in Spartanburg and along new highways being built.
http://books.google.com/books?id=MygEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=Hal+Shinn,+South+Carolina&source=bl&ots=5nFPbiEkjK&sig=sZi4kPVGvpmWcF_yvUGyVqb-E4E&hl=en&ei=2LT1TPmgHcPflgfdutGsBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Hal%20Shinn%2C%20South%20Carolina&f=false

"Hal J. Shinn, started Star Amusement Co, in Gaffney, SC.  Was Vice President of Music Operators of America at age 57.  Started Star Amusement Company in 1945; operates jukeboxes and games.  Was charter member and past president of South Carolina Coin Operators Association, Inc., member of Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce."
As stated in the Oct 17, 1970 "BILLBOARD" newsletter  Page 48 (News for MOA)

Hal J Shinn's income with PokerTech http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:OBuSsxonIuAJ:people.forbes.com/profile/hal-j-shinn/64452+Hal+J.+Shinn&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[olecanalantiques]

Dam, i'm not sure even i could have googled that much info and i truly am a google master!! I usually don't post my stuff for ID, i usually have time to research all my items but i swear, i don't think i have ever been this busy in my life!!

Thanks KC, that's some great background info!!

[KC]

IN all honesty, I believe the Hal J SHinn III with PokerTech is Hal of Star Amusement's son.

[waywardangler]

KC does come up with some great info!  Way to go.