Waghter's Parlor Base Ball

Waghter is a pure mechanical bagatelle-style game with a baseball theme, attributed to a figure named Henry Waghter, about whom little further is known. It dates to circa the 1880s, making it one of the older bagatelle games documented. The signature 'Col-Eng-Co,' printed below the machine's bell, refers to the Columbus Engraving Company, which may have been responsible only for the artwork rather than the machine's overall design or manufacture.

Play on this machine centers on a ball shooter located in the upper playfield, offering a distinctive layout compared to later pinball designs. The game measures a compact 23 1/2 inches long by 11 1/2 inches wide, with a single bell providing its only sound effect.

Its baseball theme, small footprint, and 19th-century origins make Waghter a notable early example of the bagatelle games that predate modern pinball. At least one surviving example is known to have its Rules of Play affixed to the reverse side, offering a rare glimpse of period instructions for players.