# STERN PINBALL UNEXPECTEDLY ANNOUNCES A NEW LIMITED EDITION 40TH ANNIVERSARY RUN OF ELVIRA'S HOH

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2021-10-26  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/stern-pinball-unexpectedly-announces-a-new-limited-edition-40th-anniversary-run-of-elvira-s-hoh

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announced a surprise 199-unit limited edition 40th Anniversary run of Elvira's House of Horrors featuring custom purple sparkle armor, exclusive merchandise (autographed card, autobiography), and hyper-chrome embossed artwork. The machine uses "CALL FOR PRICE" MSRP with reports of secondary market prices reaching $25,000-$30,000. The game debuted at Pinball Expo 2021 and includes Stern's Insider Connected system with QR code reader functionality.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Limited to 199 units globally of the 40th Anniversary Edition — _Official Stern Pinball press release quoted in article_
- [HIGH] MSRP uses 'CALL FOR PRICE' model allowing distributors to set market-based pricing — _Official press release and analyst note in article_
- [MEDIUM] Secondary market pricing already reported at $25,000-$30,000 — _Article author states 'I've heard rumblings of this game already going for $25,000 to $30,000'_
- [HIGH] 40th Anniversary Edition includes autographed Elvira trading card and autographed autobiography book — _Official press release details_
- [HIGH] Game features custom video footage of Elvira, described as 'pinball first' — _Official press release: 'in a pinball first, exclusive filming of Elvira for custom video scenes'_

### Notable Quotes

> "CALL FOR PRICE which means that I can't afford it LOL but maybe some of you folks can."
> — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)**, N/A
> _Humorous acknowledgment of premium pricing strategy and community sentiment about affordability_

> "It was a pleasure to work directly with the Mistress of the Dark on this collaboration. We wanted to celebrate her 40th milestone in fashion."
> — **Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball**, N/A
> _Official statement positioning the anniversary edition as a prestige collaboration with Elvira IP holder_

> "Elvira's 40th Anniversary House of Horrors pinball is a haunting fun time along with one-of-a-kind collectibles that will be treasured forever!"
> — **Gary Stern**, N/A
> _Marketing language emphasizing collectibility and investment value_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer announcing limited edition Elvira's House of Horrors 40th Anniversary run |
| Elvira, Mistress of the Dark | person | IP/character owner collaborating on anniversary edition; Cassandra Peterson character; signing certificates of authenticity |
| Gary Stern | person | Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball; authorized to sign Certificate of Authenticity |
| Rob Miller | person | Community member credited with providing quick heads-up on announcement |
| Elvira's House of Horrors | game | Stern Pinball machine; described as third and campiest installment of Elvira pinball trilogy |
| Pinball Expo 2021 | event | Chicago venue (October 27-30, 2021) for first public exhibition of 40th Anniversary Edition |
| Insider Connected | product | Stern's new system installed in all 40th Anniversary machines; includes QR code reader and network features |
| Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark | product | Elvira's autobiography; autographed copy included with 40th Anniversary Edition |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Limited Edition Collectibility and FOMO Pricing, Celebrity/IP Collaboration and Licensing, Premium Variant Pricing Strategy (CALL FOR PRICE)
- **Secondary:** Stern's Insider Connected Technology Integration, Custom Merchandise Bundling as Value-Add, 40th Anniversary Milestone Celebration

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Article presents announcement as exciting/surprising news for collectors. Author's tone is enthusiastic and self-deprecating about premium pricing. Official Stern language emphasizes prestige and permanence. Secondary market pricing surge ($25k-$30k) indicates strong collector demand despite cost.

### Signals

- **[licensing_signal]** Stern obtained direct collaboration with Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) for exclusive video filming, merchandise bundling (autographed items), and Certificate of Authenticity signing (confidence: high) — Press release details exclusive Elvira video footage, autographed trading card, autographed autobiography, and Elvira-signed Certificate of Authenticity
- **[market_signal]** CALL FOR PRICE model enables distributors to charge market-based premiums; secondary market already showing $25k-$30k pricing for limited 199-unit run (confidence: high) — Article states 'I've heard rumblings of this game already going for $25,000 to $30,000' and notes that CALL FOR PRICE allows distributors to charge 'whatever the market will bear'
- **[announcement]** Surprise anniversary edition announcement with theatrical reveal at Pinball Expo 2021 (October 27-30) designed to maximize FOMO and collector excitement (confidence: high) — Article describes as 'surprise announcement' that came 'minutes ago'; first public exhibition at Pinball Expo
- **[product_strategy]** Anniversary Edition differentiated through cosmetics (purple sparkle powder coat, hyper-chrome embossed artwork), custom Dagger Shooter Knob, sequential numbering (1-199), and bundled collectibles (confidence: high) — Press release lists custom armor, legs, art blades, hyper-chrome embossed cabinet, custom knob, trading card, autobiography, and metal plaques
- **[business_signal]** Ultra-limited 199-unit production combined with CALL FOR PRICE MSRP model creates scarcity-driven premium pricing and immediate secondary market inflation (confidence: high) — Only 199 units globally; CALL FOR PRICE model noted as allowing market-based pricing; secondary reports already at $25k-$30k range
- **[technology_signal]** Stern deploying Insider Connected system across anniversary edition machines; includes QR code reader on bottom arch for player interaction and operator remote management (confidence: high) — Press release states: 'Each game is equipped with a QR code reader on the bottom arch enabling players to interact with the game and this new network in a variety of ways'

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## Transcript

Here's a surprise announcement. Minutes ago Stern pinball announced that it is doing a 199 unit limited 40th Anniversary run of its well-received Elvira's House of Horrors pinball machine. The game comes with 40th Anniversary themed artwork, purple sparkle powder-coated armor, special logos, autographs, etc... The official press release says "CALL FOR PRICE" which means that I can't afford it LOL but maybe some of you folks can. Basically that means that distributors are allowed to charge whatever the market will bear. I've heard rumblings of this game already going for $25,000 to $30,000.

The text of the press release is below...

Hat tip to Rob Miller for the quick heads up on the announcement!

"Elvira and Stern Pinball Announce New 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors Pinball Machine

To Celebrate 40 Years on Film and TV

CHICAGO, IL – October 26, 2021 – When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind: Horror icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, has been lighting up screens and delighting fans for 40 years.

Stern Pinball honors Elvira’s 40 years by offering a highly collectible and very limited special 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors pinball machine. Limited to 199 units globally, Elvira’s 40th Anniversary Edition model includes a custom Elvira Dagger Shooter Knob, an exclusive autographed Elvira trading card, and an Elvira autographed best-selling autobiography book, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark. Accompanying each game will be a 40th Anniversary Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Stern Chairman/CEO Gary Stern and, importantly, by Elvira herself.

This 40th Anniversary Edition features an updated exclusive 40th Anniversary logo added to the full color mirrored Backglass. In addition, the game includes custom Paranormal Purple Sparkle powder-coated pinball armor and legs, inside art blades, and 40th Anniversary themed cabinet artwork produced on a hyper-chrome embossed surface. Stern will fit this game with its upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, and a sequentially numbered 1 to 199 Anniversary metal plaque.

The game is the persona of “FUN” with the third and campiest installment of the Elvira pinball trilogy! Trying to sell her mansion through “Alternate Realty”, Elvira’s house is haunted by the movie characters from her past. These ghouls, ghosts, monsters, and strange assortment of vintage characters with horrific acting skills seek revenge on Elvira while she and the player confront them, sending them back to the “film” from which they came! Elvira’s House of Horrors immerses players in a fun, campy, B-movie universe filled with all of the humor expected from the Mistress of the Dark including custom speech and, in a pinball first, exclusive filming of Elvira for custom video scenes utilized throughout the game!

Elvira 40th machines are manufactured with Stern’s new Insider Connected™ system installed. Each game is equipped with a QR code reader on the bottom arch enabling players to interact with the game and this new network in a variety of ways. Stern Insider Connected provides new entertainment and player engagement features and an operator focused tool set to drive location play and remotely manage every aspect of the machines.

“It was a pleasure to work directly with the Mistress of the Dark on this collaboration. We wanted to celebrate her 40th milestone in fashion,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Elvira’s 40th Anniversary House of Horrors pinball is a haunting fun time along with one-of-a-kind collectibles that will be treasured forever!”

The game will be featured for the first time at Pinball Expo in Chicago from 10/27 to 10/30. See link for additional details. https://pinballexpo.com/

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:

MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.

40th Anniversary Edition Model: CALL FOR PRICE

Elvira’s 40th Anniversary House of Horrors pinball machines are available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world."

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 7a354423-54cb-4464-bf31-9ce283a8af4a*