Las Vegas History/Memorabilia

[RICH99508]

I was wondering if any of the members out there make it their hobby to collect memorabilia from the early days of Las Vegas other than just the machinery....post cards, chips, advertising, ashtrays...I am fascinated with this myself, and would like to know/collect more. I love how Fremont st. has some of the old signs on display, and would like to know if there are any museums in the area also.
Thanks for your input!

[Neonkiss]

I have a few framed autographed photos that hung on the wall of some of the old casino on Fremont St.
Many of the buildings have been demolished to make way for newer buildings and everything was sold at auction.
These were the ones that got signed by the stars when they were their performing. They have been professionally framed with laser cut mats.

[Neonkiss]

This one is from the cast of Laugh-In.

[Neonkiss]

Here is the cast from Splash..
A young Tom Hanks , John Candy and Daryl Hannah

Also a Zane Gray with a check for $783.00  From Oct 7th, 1928
Now that was a boat load of cash in 1928

[Neonkiss]

And a few from Redd Foxx
One even has his Friars Club card still attached to the letter of renewal.
The most interesting thing about this one, is the letter of renewal is from the Abbot of the club. At that time this was  Frank Sinatra.

[Op-Bell]

Do a Google Image search for "neon graveyard" - this is where many of the historic signs ended up. It's a huge site, off the beaten track and open to the public by appointment only. The Fremont Street Neon Museum owns the signs now, but they were preserved because the owners of the sign company Yesco had a sense of history and stored them privately for decades. There's very little of that spirit left, now Las Vegas is wholly owned by Wall Street. Anything that doesn't make the stock price go up is destroyed without sentiment. Much more survives elsewhere in the state, such as in Virginia City (a living museum), Carson City Museum, a couple of places in Reno and numerous small establishments scattered around the rural areas, but as more and more of the old collectors die, their collections are split up, sold at auction and never seen again.

[jay]

My mom and dad went to Vegas for years and years. I have lots of ashtrays, stir sticks, and sands coffee mugs..... I have a good collection of coin cups from all the major casinos.
Its now a dead art,.

[RICH99508]

Thanks for the input guys! Awesome framed memorabilia there Neon! I have heard about the neon graveyard, but my wife and i have yet to make it there despite 6 trips to Fremont last year.
Jay, I don't know about collecting being a dead art. The casinos are phasing out the cups.....(had a hard time finding logo cups on my last trip to use for my PE+ ) but there seems to be a real hot trend toward chips, strikes and ashtrays.... I am attaching a pic of my latest acquisition which is a real rare gem! The more I research, the more interesting this piece becomes. It is an ashtray from the original El Morocco club which was located at 1332 N. E st. on the west side and dates back to the mid 40s-early 50s before desegregation. It was built primarily as an African American establishment, when they were not allowed to gamble, eat or stay on the Strip. Dealers had to be white only though. Interesting history. I love it!

[jay]

No I meant the Coin Cups were a dead art.... match books are another .....

Sure there are a bunch around from the smaller casinos that still use coin but they are not what they used to be.....

[StatFreak]

Wow Neon, those are some great pieces! You should have shared those pictures with us years ago! (Don't mind me, I'm just jealous.)

Any chance of guilting you into posting another picture of the Splash cast that shows all of John Candy?

[Jackpot]

Well, nothing has been posted in here for over 120 days  , so lets keep it alive! Here is my two bits worth (see the photo) and this is a copy of the original UPI news story and photo which I also own, and not to be out done on this, I OWN THIS MACHINE!! or gas pump, or slot machine, or what ever it is. This even has the Bally serial number tag on the outside of it  . Way Cool and someday I need to restore it  . Or sell it for 100 million OBO down the line  . Hope you all enjoy this one.
Jackpot 

[a69mopar]

Excellent piece of history Rodger.  Please take pics as you restore it.

K+ and thanks,
Wayne

[CVslots]

Awesome machine! I love the unusual and odd stuff they came up with , unfortunately most of the odd balls get scraped.
Thanks for sharing
k+

Darrell

[Neonkiss]

All right I'll put my name in for one being interested in buying this machine un-restored.

That's just too cool. It would go great with my old Tokheim gas pump and my other old Bally machines.
I get first right of refusal if you decide to sell.
All the stuff I've restored in the past I could never sell. I have way too much $$$ invested to get that in return. You can't believe how expensive it is to get chrome work done. And if it's cheap pot metal that needs re-chromed you can triple the price if you can find a shop that will do the work.

[rickh]

I have collected matchpacks since the mid 70s.... I have lots of the old vegas ones, places that are all gone now. I may scan some and post.

[Thor777]

I have collected matchpacks since the mid 70s.... I have lots of the old vegas ones, places that are all gone now. I may scan some and post.

Please do, I had THOUSANDS of different matchbooks that my FATHER had collected back in the 40, 50's ect and they were lost in a flooded basement...   I used to really enjoy looking through all the clever pics and sayings on them and I'm quit sure they would have been worth quite a bit to the right collector but alas they are gone! 

[rickh]

damn... I woulda snatched them from you  

I have the old ones where you open the pack and girlie dancers pop out.... or the shiney silver or gold outer packs.... all sorts of stuff. The boxed matches had the wax matches inside, for lighting cigars I figure, cuz they stayed lit so long.

I will put this on my to-do list since my slot machine is now working flawlessly

[jay]

My father (downsizing) just gave me a spitoon with about 100 match packs. In my opinion this is a major fire hazzard. I was thinking of bringing it to the back yard and throwing a lit one in - but perhaps I will sort through them instead. Another %^&*( project to add to my list.

On my last visit to Vegas I purchased a uncut blackjack cloth from the Stardust Hotel. I want to setup a black jack table in my basement. Anyone know of a good place to get a "dealers peek" inexpensively ?

[rickh]

Jay... you have 2 choices:

1. Carefully remove the staple and remove the matches, and flatten out the matchbook. This makes it safe fire wise.

2. Send them to me as is

Added: for what its worth, I have maybe 1/4 million+ matchpacks, most are still origional.... and stored in plastic tubs all together. Me worry? Nah....

[dpalmi]

Anyone know of a good place to get a "dealers peek" inexpensively ?

I also have a blackjack table in my basement and looked for one of these a couple years ago.  They are impossible to find.  I did finally find a vendor willing to sell me one, but it was around $350 new...so I passed.  If you have any luck, let me know.

Dan #2

[dpalmi]

Anyone know of a good place to get a "dealers peek" inexpensively ?

Here's one webpage I found in my search for the electronic version...

http://www.nopeek21.com/

Dan #2

[jay]

One of the casinos that I frequent only deal 1 card for the dealer.
There is then no need for a dealer-peek, insurance is offered for an Ace but the second card isn't drawn until the end.