Artmink AI Analysis of Antiques and Collectibles: Shared Report

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Presentation Script

Here we have a genuine American arcade survivor: a 1973 D. Gottlieb & Co. electro-mechanical pinball machine called King Pin. It’s a wonderful slice of early-1970s amusement culture, when bowling alleys, game rooms, and bright pop graphics all collided in one gloriously noisy cabinet. King Pin is bowling-themed throughout, from the backglass pins spelling “SCORE” to the playfield targets and figures mid-bowl. The score reels, cabinet shape, and Gottlieb markings place it squarely in the electro-mechanical era, just before electronic displays fully took over. For collectors, that makes it especially appealing: tactile, repairable, and deeply nostalgic. Construction looks right for the period—painted wood cabinet, printed playfield, back-painted glass, metal coin door, and molded plastic features. The close-ups show authentic age rather than artificial distress: cabinet edge wear, oxidation to the lower metalwork, and some age-related wear to the backglass. At the same time, the playfield presents fairly well, with bright color and seemingly intact plastics, suggesting decent care or some servicing over the years. Condition matters enormously with pinball machines, because value depends not just on looks but on function. From the photos, it appears substantially complete, though I cannot confirm full operation, originality of internal parts, or whether lamps, coils, and relays have been restored. I’d give it an authenticity score of 94%. Conservative auction estimate: $800 to $1,800 if functioning or mostly functional; less if not working. In short: honest, charismatic, and very much built to flip rather than merely sit pretty.

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Item Report

American 1970s D. Gottlieb & Co. Electro-Mechanical Pinball Machine "King Pin"

Owner: Danny A.

By: D. Gottlieb & Co., Chicago

Style: 1970s American arcade / electro-mechanical amusement machine

Origin: United States

Materials: painted wood cabinet, screen-printed backglass, printed playfield board, glass, metal coin door and trim, plastic inserts and bumpers, rubber rings, electrical and mechanical components

Age: 1973

Condition: Good (appears complete with visible wear, cabinet scuffs and coin-door oxidation; mechanical function not fully verified from photos)

Value: Auction estimate: as an authentic 1973 Gottlieb King Pin in visible unrestored but presentable working/display condition, approximately $800-$1,800; if non-working or with hidden mechanical issues, more likely $400-$900. Reproduction/decorative copy scenario: not likely here, but if it were a later decorative shell or heavily rebuilt tribute, about $150-$400.

Peer-Reviewed Market Values

Dating Range: Pending structured dating
Auction Liquidation: Pending structured market values
Fair Market Value: Pending structured market values
Replacement Value: Pending structured market values
Comparables Used: 1 comparable
Research Confidence: Not Run

Maker's Marks / Writing: Visible: "Gottlieb's KING PIN," "D. Gottlieb & Co.," "Copyright 1973 by D. Gottlieb & Co.," "Mfd. by D. Gottlieb & Co. 60164 U.S.A." Instruction card reads "KING PIN 5 BALLS PER PLAY INSTRUCTIONS."

Date: 2026-05-31 19:30:47.226554

Description:

Vintage electro-mechanical pinball machine with bowling-themed backglass and playfield art, wood cabinet, metal hardware, glass top, mechanical score reels, pop bumpers, drop targets, and flippers. The graphics and visible copyright/manufacturer markings identify it as Gottlieb's "King Pin," a solid-state-era transitional late EM machine.

Assessment:

This appears to be a genuine D. Gottlieb & Co. "King Pin" pinball machine from 1973 rather than a reproduction. The backglass art, playfield layout, instruction card, maker identification, score reels, and cabinet form are all consistent with period Gottlieb production. The machine shows honest age and use: cabinet scuffing, edge wear, finish losses, oxidation to the coin door, and some waviness/craquelure or age-related wear visible in the backglass decoration. The playfield appears comparatively clean and bright, suggesting either careful preservation or partial restoration/service at some point. Because mechanical operation cannot be verified from photos alone, value should remain conservative.

Individual Images:

whole pinball machine front
whole pinball machine front
upper half of pinball machine
detail of backglass art
detail of backglass figure
detail of score reels
overhead of playfield
detail of upper playfield
detail of pop bumper and flipper
detail of drop targets
detail of instruction card

Provenance:

No formal provenance shown. One image includes a "Red Hood Pinball Museum" sign above the backbox, suggesting the machine may have been displayed in a museum or collection setting, but this is unverified from the photos.

Condition:

Good (appears complete with visible wear, cabinet scuffs and coin-door oxidation; mechanical function not fully verified from photos)

Identification Score: 98%

The title "King Pin," Gottlieb branding, copyright date, instruction card, and classic EM pinball construction all align very strongly with the known 1973 D. Gottlieb & Co. machine.

Authenticity Score: 94%

Strong authenticity indicators include period-correct cabinet construction, mechanical score reels, matching playfield and backglass graphics, manufacturer markings, and convincing age wear to cabinet and metal parts. Nothing visible suggests a modern fake; the main uncertainty is the extent of restoration or replaced consumable parts.

Image Memory Note

None None

Keywords

American pinball machine, D. Gottlieb & Co., Gottlieb King Pin, 1973 pinball, electro-mechanical pinball, arcade machine, bowling theme, vintage amusement machine, score reels, United States

The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.

Peer Review

Peer review output will appear here after you run "Send for Peer Review."

Report ID: : qh66qh

Comparables (Similar Items)

Bally Wizard Pinball Machine with Tommy
liveauctioneers.com
Sold $975 + 12% BP
USA · 1970s · Wood, Metal, Plastic
A classic Bally Pinball Wizard pinball machine, known for its engaging gameplay and vibrant artwork.
View source record
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/47705014_bally-pinball-wizard-pinball-machine-minneapolis-mn