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Roly Poly

Manufacturer: Genco Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, Illinois, USA (1931-1958)
Year: 1936
Date: January, 1936
Type: Electro-mechanical (EM)
Players: 1

About This Machine

Roly Poly, manufactured by Genco in 1936, is a rare and significant example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines from Genco, a prominent pinball manufacturer that operated from 1931 to 1958. Its survival from this formative period makes it a sought-after collector's item among pinball enthusiasts and historians.

Key gameplay features include the ability to play with 10 balls for just five cents, which was a remarkable value proposition at the time. The machine also boasts a playfield kicker, a distinctive mechanism that propels balls across the playing surface, adding an extra layer of challenge and excitement to gameplay. Measuring 39 inches long, 20 1/2 inches wide, and 12 inches high without legs (42 inches high on its legs), Roly Poly's compact design was typical of pinball machines of this era.

While the machine's theme is not specified, its art and design are likely reflective of the Art Deco style popular during this era. Very little is known about Roly Poly beyond its production details, making it something of an enigma among pinball enthusiasts -- interestingly, period advertising for the game alternately spelled its name "Roly Poly" and "Rolly Polly."

Images (10)

Technical Details

Notable Features:
10 balls for 5 cents. Playfield kicker. Game measured as 39 inches long, 20 1/2 inches wide, 12 inches high without legs, and 42 inches high on legs.

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