Coronation

The 'Coronation' pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1952, emerged during a pivotal period in both pinball and world history. The machine's theme likely drew inspiration from the anticipation surrounding the upcoming coronation of Britain's Princess Elizabeth (though she wouldn't actually become Queen until 1953), reflecting the post-WWII fascination with British royalty in American popular culture.

As a typical early post-war pinball machine, Coronation featured the classic elements of 1950s electro-mechanical design, including pop bumpers, trap holes, and backglass scoring common to the era. The playfield employed a royal theme with crown imagery and regal color schemes, typical of Gottlieb's attention to thematic detail during this period. Pinball artist Roy Parker however, took liberty in portraying the soon to be crowned Elizabeth in a bikini, a vision none had seen before and was certainly a matter of questionable taste at the time. Gottlieb must have looked the other way as it was sure to garner favor with the mainly male clientle who pumped coins into their machines.

Coronation represents an important transition period in pinball history, as manufacturers were incorporating innovations developed during the war years into civilian entertainment. While not as well-documented as some other Gottlieb titles of the era, Coronation exemplifies the company's commitment to quality construction and reliable mechanical engineering that helped establish Gottlieb as a leading pinball manufacturer of the post-war period.