Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe, manufactured by Nate Schneller Incorporated (Nasco) in 1950, is a rare and little-documented electro-mechanical pinball machine. It is a conversion of Gottlieb's 1947 game "Humpty Dumpty" -- the same underlying mechanics rebuilt under a new name, with cabinet artwork that, on the only known surviving example, appears to be an overpaint of the original Gottlieb design. Only one example is currently known to exist, and researchers are still seeking further evidence, such as a second unit or a period magazine advertisement.

In gameplay, Ivanhoe features 9 passive bumpers, 2 kick-out holes, and two flippers. The machine's most notable feature is its ability to play five balls for just five cents, an attractive option for players seeking better value for their money.

Little specific information is available about who reworked the game into Ivanhoe or why the name and theme -- referencing Sir Walter Scott's 1820 novel of the same name -- were chosen. Despite the mystery surrounding its origins, Ivanhoe remains a fascinating curiosity in early pinball history as a rare example of a manufacturer repurposing another company's game.