The Mike Munves Corporation was a leading manufacturer and distributor of pinball and arcade amusements. When Mike Munves was only twenty years old, he set himself up as an arcade machine distributor and did exactly that for the next 58 years until he retired. He formed the Mike Munves Corporation that not only produced arcade machines but refurbished, revamped and rebuilt them. The Munves Corp. advertised through their many catalogs that they carried the largest selection of amusement machines in the world. From the 1930s to the 1960s, if the subject was amusement machines, Mike Munves had a hand in it somewhere along the line. Munves was also very instrumental is the evolution of the Grandma fortune tellers throughout the years. I believe Mike Munves deserves much of the credit for the innovative quality and the popularity of the amusement machine culture. His contributions to the amusement industry are legendary.
Mike Munves Corp. released 26 machines. (1920 - 1960) - Below are some examples from The Torrence Collection.
1940S MIKE MUNVES MYSTIC PEN FORTUNE TELLER
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Very rare. Munves Mystic Pen fortune teller. Place your hand on the top casting, the pen inside jumps around as if writing a personal message to you. When finished the fortune teller vends out what appears to be a handwritten card with a reading of your palm. Original 5 cent coin slide and fortune cards as well. Works to perfection!
1940S MIKE MUNVES BIKE RACE
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Rare! Jon restored this beautiful art deco machine. Another super fun and entertaining manikin racing game. One or two player game. The object of the game is to crank the wheel as fast as possible against your opponent as the life-like miniature bicycle races spin around the track. Great early competitive arcade game.
1950S MIKE MUNVES GRANDMA'S PROPHESIES FORTUNE TELLER
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Rare 1950s Mike Munves Grandma's Prophesies fortune teller. Also known as the Munves Teacup fortune teller. One hand moves over the cards and head goes from side to side, eyes move, and the chest "breathes", crystal ball glows as the machine dispenses a fortune card. Your future is then revealed. Awesome vintage and perfect original working fortune teller.
1950S MIKE MUNVES GRANDMA'S PREDICTIONS FORTUNE TELLER
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A different example of a very rare Munves Grandma's Predictions fortune teller from the 1950s. Watch Grandma as her hand moves over the cards and other hand moves over the crystal ball, head goes from side to side, eyes move, and the chest breathes, crystal ball glows as the machine dispenses a fortune card. This gorgeous fortune teller machine works perfectly and is very original.
1954 MIKE MUNVES BAT-A-BALL
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Less than five known examples in existence. Munves Bat-A-Ball came in two styles. There was a smaller countertop model and this tall model with a base. The tall model is much more scarce. It's a flip up ball game of chance, where the balls land in either the American or National league drop slots. The balls represent runs scored. The league with the most runs wins. Awesome art deco style!
