Page 35 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles June 2019
P. 35
leads to a mystery frequently encountered by
collectors – what happened to all the rest of the
same chips? Based on records from chip
manufacturers, we can learn how many chips
were originally ordered by each casino. When
we consider that the casino originally had 5,000
made but only one or two are currently known
to exist, the logical question is, where did the
rest go? Were they lost, destroyed or “put away”
for the future? When a chip is valued at a higher
rate because of its scarcity, some of us collectors
are waiting for the other shoe to drop with a new
discovery of a hoard of those chips, thereby
reducing the value of what we have. Although The Royal postcard is truly informative but sells for $3 photo: author’s collection
this scenario is infrequent, occasionally a stash
of previously unknown chips does surface, much Comparatively Speaking
to the collector’s dismay! Everything else in the collectors’ world is in second place as to value but not
The condition of the item is important – in terms of aesthetics. In actuality the matchbooks, the postcards, and the
how does the item look? What is the condition napkins are often more attractive, more informative and, frankly, more interesting
The Horseshoe matchbook is of the item? Obviously, the better the condition, than the casino chip from the same casino. But not in terms of value!
gorgeous but sells for $10! the higher the value for the collectible. However, There are two chips that have actual recorded sales that will astound you.
photo: author’s collection even some items in well-used condition (or Rarely has anything in the casino collectible world come close!
worse!) are much sought-after as that may be the The Golden Goose $5 casino chip sold for
collector’s only chance to own a piece of that casino’s history. $75,000 right in front of my eyes at the National
For chips and tokens, the denom- Convention about six years ago. The
ination is important too. How much Showboat $1 casino chip sold for $26,000 10
was its original value? For whatever years ago. Truthfully, the values of some
reason (either too expensive to buy items have declined. But, many will still
outright, or they weren’t available command a higher price than almost
where most gamblers played, or due anything else.
to higher security at the higher limit I am sure there are exceptions to my
gaming areas, etc.), the higher premise, but I believe there are very few of
denominations are few and far them. My thought is that, if you enjoy
between and relatively unknown (or something, you want to collect items
owned) by collectors. connected to it. If you have a Man Cave with
To summarize: the older the casino memorabilia, then you probably have been
item, the better … the better the to a casino or a poker room and are a gambler of some Golden Goose
condition, the better … the more substance and desire. And, you are going to prove it by $5 casino chip
notable, historical or interesting the This Golden Nugget Las Vegas cocktail your Man Cave! In fact, the Man Cave (regardless of photo: The Museum of
casino, the better, and … the rarer, napkin is very nice but sells for $4 what it emphasizes, i.e., sports, hunting, gaming, etc.) Gaming History
Chipguide (MoGH)
the better. photo: author’s collection is a testimony to the owner and the owner’s interests.
Casino Accessories for the Man Cave by Judy Gonyeau
Roulette Table When putting Showgirls If you are looking for one of those
together the Casino Man Cave, wonderful over-the-top hats or beautifully beaded
there are some items you may showgirl costumes to display, you
wish to consider bringing in, may have a hard time finding
including classic furniture. something unless it was worn by
While roulette tables can range someone famous for a different
from a few hundred to a few reason. It is well known that
thousand dollars, there is one 1920s Roulette Table Vegas Showgirl costumes are
that stands out at 1stdibs.com worn until they are falling apart
described as a Great Gatsby Era 1920s mahogany roulette table from O’Dwyer’s (literally) and often used and
Casino (New Orleans, LA), complete with the original ivory ball. Sure, it has recycled for other shows when
some wear, but this hand-carved beauty has just been marked down to $168,750. one closes. This showgirl dress
Also included are O’Dwyer’s casino chips in many denominations including the was worn by Marilyn Monroe
following: (13) $1 white chips, (20) $5 blue chips, (12) $25 burgundy chips, during the promotion for the
(10) $100 black chips, (6) $500 gold chips, (2) plain chips, (3) 25 cent chips, movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It
(1) $1, (1) $5 and (35) red chips for roulette. The provenance of the table iswas estimated to sell for between
beyond compare and its journey is well documented. $80,000 and $120,000 but failed Marilyn Monroe
to sell at a recent auction. showgirl dress
Casino Royale For the walls of
the Cave, classic James Bond The Old West Who does not
posters from Casino Royale are a remember a gun slinger fighting
must-have, with museum-quality it out in a Saloon over someone
posters from the Daniel Craig cheating at poker? If you would
Bond version coming in around rather have a less-glitzy casino
$200 to $300 each. However, if Man Cave, consider adding an
you are looking for a twist on “Old West” table to your décor.
this item, turn to the James It is difficult to get a museum-
Bond 007 Casino Royale poster quality authentic version of
from the spoof film staring such a table, but carefully crafted
Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, reproductions such as this are
James Bond 007 Casino Royale Poster
David Niven, Orson Welles, available for around $500, with
and a host of cameo appearances that would light up Hollywood as bright as it Retro Old West Poker Table accompanying chairs at about
can get. For a poster in very good condition, look to spend around $2,600. $100-$250 each.
July 2019 33
collectors – what happened to all the rest of the
same chips? Based on records from chip
manufacturers, we can learn how many chips
were originally ordered by each casino. When
we consider that the casino originally had 5,000
made but only one or two are currently known
to exist, the logical question is, where did the
rest go? Were they lost, destroyed or “put away”
for the future? When a chip is valued at a higher
rate because of its scarcity, some of us collectors
are waiting for the other shoe to drop with a new
discovery of a hoard of those chips, thereby
reducing the value of what we have. Although The Royal postcard is truly informative but sells for $3 photo: author’s collection
this scenario is infrequent, occasionally a stash
of previously unknown chips does surface, much Comparatively Speaking
to the collector’s dismay! Everything else in the collectors’ world is in second place as to value but not
The condition of the item is important – in terms of aesthetics. In actuality the matchbooks, the postcards, and the
how does the item look? What is the condition napkins are often more attractive, more informative and, frankly, more interesting
The Horseshoe matchbook is of the item? Obviously, the better the condition, than the casino chip from the same casino. But not in terms of value!
gorgeous but sells for $10! the higher the value for the collectible. However, There are two chips that have actual recorded sales that will astound you.
photo: author’s collection even some items in well-used condition (or Rarely has anything in the casino collectible world come close!
worse!) are much sought-after as that may be the The Golden Goose $5 casino chip sold for
collector’s only chance to own a piece of that casino’s history. $75,000 right in front of my eyes at the National
For chips and tokens, the denom- Convention about six years ago. The
ination is important too. How much Showboat $1 casino chip sold for $26,000 10
was its original value? For whatever years ago. Truthfully, the values of some
reason (either too expensive to buy items have declined. But, many will still
outright, or they weren’t available command a higher price than almost
where most gamblers played, or due anything else.
to higher security at the higher limit I am sure there are exceptions to my
gaming areas, etc.), the higher premise, but I believe there are very few of
denominations are few and far them. My thought is that, if you enjoy
between and relatively unknown (or something, you want to collect items
owned) by collectors. connected to it. If you have a Man Cave with
To summarize: the older the casino memorabilia, then you probably have been
item, the better … the better the to a casino or a poker room and are a gambler of some Golden Goose
condition, the better … the more substance and desire. And, you are going to prove it by $5 casino chip
notable, historical or interesting the This Golden Nugget Las Vegas cocktail your Man Cave! In fact, the Man Cave (regardless of photo: The Museum of
casino, the better, and … the rarer, napkin is very nice but sells for $4 what it emphasizes, i.e., sports, hunting, gaming, etc.) Gaming History
Chipguide (MoGH)
the better. photo: author’s collection is a testimony to the owner and the owner’s interests.
Casino Accessories for the Man Cave by Judy Gonyeau
Roulette Table When putting Showgirls If you are looking for one of those
together the Casino Man Cave, wonderful over-the-top hats or beautifully beaded
there are some items you may showgirl costumes to display, you
wish to consider bringing in, may have a hard time finding
including classic furniture. something unless it was worn by
While roulette tables can range someone famous for a different
from a few hundred to a few reason. It is well known that
thousand dollars, there is one 1920s Roulette Table Vegas Showgirl costumes are
that stands out at 1stdibs.com worn until they are falling apart
described as a Great Gatsby Era 1920s mahogany roulette table from O’Dwyer’s (literally) and often used and
Casino (New Orleans, LA), complete with the original ivory ball. Sure, it has recycled for other shows when
some wear, but this hand-carved beauty has just been marked down to $168,750. one closes. This showgirl dress
Also included are O’Dwyer’s casino chips in many denominations including the was worn by Marilyn Monroe
following: (13) $1 white chips, (20) $5 blue chips, (12) $25 burgundy chips, during the promotion for the
(10) $100 black chips, (6) $500 gold chips, (2) plain chips, (3) 25 cent chips, movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It
(1) $1, (1) $5 and (35) red chips for roulette. The provenance of the table iswas estimated to sell for between
beyond compare and its journey is well documented. $80,000 and $120,000 but failed Marilyn Monroe
to sell at a recent auction. showgirl dress
Casino Royale For the walls of
the Cave, classic James Bond The Old West Who does not
posters from Casino Royale are a remember a gun slinger fighting
must-have, with museum-quality it out in a Saloon over someone
posters from the Daniel Craig cheating at poker? If you would
Bond version coming in around rather have a less-glitzy casino
$200 to $300 each. However, if Man Cave, consider adding an
you are looking for a twist on “Old West” table to your décor.
this item, turn to the James It is difficult to get a museum-
Bond 007 Casino Royale poster quality authentic version of
from the spoof film staring such a table, but carefully crafted
Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, reproductions such as this are
James Bond 007 Casino Royale Poster
David Niven, Orson Welles, available for around $500, with
and a host of cameo appearances that would light up Hollywood as bright as it Retro Old West Poker Table accompanying chairs at about
can get. For a poster in very good condition, look to spend around $2,600. $100-$250 each.
July 2019 33
