Birmingham father and son's collection of arcade machines sells for £64,000

A Midlands father and son's collection of 82 amusement arcade machines hit a £64,000 jackpot at auction.

Bidders came out in force to buy the beautifully restored objects, part of what is believed to be the biggest privately-owned collection in the UK.

It showcased the history of amusement machines through the decades, dating back to the slot machine's invention in the 1890s through to the 1970s.

The collection achieved a hammer total of nearly £64,000 at Hansons Auctioneers. The premium-inclusive sales total topped £80,000.

It's a dream result for Ken Jackson, 89, and his son Stewart Jackson, 49, from Birmingham. Over 34 years, they've rescued and restored the machines to full working glory - including a relic from Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Ken said, "As a child Stewart was fascinated by seaside slot machines when we visited Blackpool, Skegness and Torquay. This inspired him to build his own primitive slot machine out of cardboard and wood when he was 10. Though I didn't share Stewart's passion for penny arcades, I discovered a passion for the restoration process."

The top price achieved was £7,000 for a Jennings Prospector 1946 Club Console Machine first introduced in 1946. Emblazoned with 'Nevada Club', its jackpot is $1000 in coins. Hot on its heels was lot 60, a scarce 1970 Bryans Works Penny Go Round. Only two or three are known to exist. It hammered at £5,500.

Other big hitters included a Chicago-made Bally Manufacturing Company Reliance Dice 1936 Craps Game which made £3,400; a Bryans Works Double Decker 1969 wall coin pusher, £2,200, and a 1950 Pee Jay Manufacturing Company Steer-a-Ball, £1,600.