Grand Award

The Grand Award, manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company in 1949, is an early flipper-era electro-mechanical game designed by Jerry Koci. Produced in a confirmed run of 700 units, it dates from the years just after flippers were introduced to pinball, when manufacturers were still experimenting with how many to use and where to place them.

The gameplay experience on the Grand Award is defined by its four flippers, which gave players a notable degree of control for the period. Players must navigate their ball through twelve passive bumpers and four kick-out holes, each designed to test their skills and timing. This combination of features makes it a representative example of late-1940s electro-mechanical design.

The Grand Award's theme, "Pageantry - Women," reflects the cultural and artistic tastes of the time period, with elegant backglass illustrations that add to the machine's charm. Beyond its production details and specifications, relatively little else has been documented about this game, leaving much to be discovered by enthusiasts eager to learn more about this piece of pinball history.