COCA Welcomes Three into Hall Of Fame
Richard M. Bueschel, Marshall Fey and Jasper Sanfilippo were inducted into the COCA Hall of Fame at the November Chicago meeting. The presentations were made by President Erick Johnson and Hall of Fame committee chairman Bill Petrochuk.
{image_4}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.
Dick’s award was accepted by his daughter Megan Bueschel. Her father designed his own headstone and is “Still trying to make lemonade” as we can see on the photo.
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Marshall Fey is best known as the author of the number one selling slot machine book in the world. With over 35,000 copies sold it is now in its seventh printing. It has been printed in three languages.
{image_3}Marshall’s story is about the experiences of three generations of the Fey coin machine family. His grandfather, Charles is known as the inventor of the three reel slot machine and scores of other coin operated devices. His Father Edmund Fey invented, manufactured and operated machines on his own. Marshall along with his brother Frank operated and revamped numerous slot machines in their Reno Liberty Belle Restaurant for more than 30 years
Marsh was the winner of the American Association for State and Local History’s “National History Award” in 1984. Marsh has spoken at our C.O.C.A. meetings on multiple occasions. His book has helped to spread the word about these fascinating machines and inspired both new and old collectors since 1983. He has educated antique collectors everywhere that these highly regarded slot machines are not only a good investment, but fun to play. He continues to be a great ambassador for the coin operated machine collecting hobby.
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{image_2}Jasper Sanfilippo is known worldwide for his magnificent collection of beautifully restored antique music machines, coin operated arcade and gambling machines, and many more great antiques that are housed in his ‘Victorian Palace’ home near Chicago.
Private concerts, dinners, tours, conventions of collector’s groups and other festivities have been held at Jasper’s since the first music room was completed in 1984. Jasper is also the director of John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. a large company dedicated to processing, marketing and distributing edible nuts of all kinds.
Jasper’s association with C.O.C.A. is a long one. For many years our club has been invited to numerous tours of his home and collection. Our members have enjoyed his hospitality more than he will ever know. C.O.C.A. tours and other charitable functions held at the ‘Victorian Palace’ have raised millions of dollars for charity and have exposed thousands of people to these antique musical, coin operated and other mechanical wonders. This experience has helped to inspire many people to join our club and acquire their own unique collections.
C.O.C.A. will always be indebted to the generosity of Jasper Sanfilippo.
