De-Lux

The De-Lux is a rare and intriguing example of pinball's early mechanical era. As a Pure Mechanical (PM) game from an unknown manufacturer, its exact history remains shrouded in mystery — the game bears no manufacturer name, patent numbers, or dates anywhere on it. Its playfield components and artwork closely resemble those of Genco's 1932 'Jiggers (Jr)' and Genco's 1933 'Tip-Top,' although the ball shooter escutcheon differs from either game, suggesting it may be a close contemporary or an uncredited variant from the same period.

One of the De-Lux's most notable features is its ability to accommodate seven balls for just one cent, an appealingly generous ratio for players. As a pure mechanical game from the early 1930s, it predates flippers entirely — those would not appear in pinball until the late 1940s — so gameplay instead relied on gravity, pins, and scoring pockets to determine outcomes, in keeping with games of its era like Jiggers and Tip-Top.

Given its close resemblance to Genco's early-1930s titles, the De-Lux likely originated from that same period, whether as an official product or an uncredited copy. While more information about this enigmatic machine remains to be uncovered, its mysterious past only adds to its allure for pinball enthusiasts eager to unravel its secrets.