Tivoli No. 5

The Tivoli No. 5 is a rare pure mechanical bagatelle crafted by John Ellson of Albany, New York, believed to date from around 1885. Ellson had patented an earlier floor-standing "Parlor Tivoli Table" design in 1876, and the No. 5 table appears to be a later, larger model in that same line, advertised at 48 inches long and 18 inches wide. As one of the earlier documented bagatelles, it offers a glimpse into the ancestors of modern pinball.

The Tivoli No. 5 features a gameplay experience built around seven balls per play, with three bells providing simple, distinct auditory feedback to the player's actions. Its size, close to four feet long, was substantial for a countertop-style game of its period.

The Tivoli No. 5 stands out for its unadorned, functional design, typical of the earliest bagatelle games before elaborate artwork became standard. Its simplicity and age make it a significant piece for collectors and historians studying the earliest roots of pinball.