Poosh-M-Up Big 5 Value Guide

Somerville 1930s Poosh-M-Up Big 5 Baseball Wood Frame ...
Poosh-M-Up Big 5
Estimated Value
$75 – $85
Period
1930-1940
Origin
USA
Materials
Wood, glass, steel, paper, cardboard
Category
Poosh-m-up

The Poosh-M-Up Big 5 is a quintessential piece of Depression-era Americana, manufactured by the Northwestern Products Company of St. Louis. This versatile tabletop bagatelle game was highly collectible for its '5-in-1' design, offering players variations like Baseball, Put-N-Take, and Seven-Eleven on a single board.

What Is Poosh-M-Up Big 5 Worth?

The typical price range for Poosh-M-Up Big 5 is $75 - $85 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • Condition of the lithographed paper playfield, as moisture damage or fading significantly reduces the $75-$85 market value.
  • Completeness of the unit, specifically the presence of original steel balls and an intact glass cover without cracks.
  • The functional state of the spring plunger mechanism and the integrity of the wooden frame joints.
  • Visual clarity of the graphics, as vibrant colors on the 'Big 5' logo and game sections command higher collector interest.

How to Identify Poosh-M-Up Big 5?

  • Look for the 'Northwestern Products Co. St. Louis, MO' manufacturer stamp on the lower portion of the playfield.
  • Verify the presence of the five distinct game layouts: Baseball, Bagatelle, Put-N-Take, Pennant Winner, and Seven-Eleven.
  • Check for the original wooden frame construction and the heavy glass cover typical of 1930s-1940s production.
  • Confirm the presence of the spring-loaded metal plunger and the specific arrangement of steel pins and scoring pockets.

History of Poosh-M-Up Big 5

Manufactured by the Northwestern Products Company of St. Louis, Missouri, beginning in the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, the Poosh-M-Up was a staple of Depression-era entertainment. This 'Big 5' model offered five different games in one board: Baseball, Bagatelle, Put-N-Take, Pennant Winner, and Seven-Eleven. It was marketed as a high-quality home version of the coin-operated bagatelle games found in local drugstores.

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