THE CAL-NEVA LODGE (Crystal Bay-Nev.) has had an interesting and exciting history.

On May 17, 1937, the original lodge burned to the ground in a dramatic fire. The casino was operated by Reno's Bill Graham and James McKay. With an effort that has not been duplicated to this date, the owners of the lodge employed workers round-the-clock to rebuild for a July 4th, 1937, opening!

Below you will see an example of both the $1 chip and a Roulette chip used at that opening-night celebration. The three denominations known to have been ordered by the Cal-Neva Lodge were the $1, $5 and $25 value checks. These chips have been around in very low-quantities for many years and are considered to be rare -- especially the $5 and $25 examples.

Though the Roulette chips were known to exist, as so stated by Howdy Herz: "We have been aware of the Roulette chips for 10-years, but have only seen samples in sales records of the U.S. Playing Card Co. When we finally learned of a very limited number of examples we were overjoyed." What Howdy was refering to was the day I phoned him saying: "Howdy, I located some Cal-Neva Roulettes -- undrilled!!" Howdy has seen a lot of chips in his time, as he was the curator of the Harvey's Colletion, and he is quite reserved when parts of Nevada's gambling history are dug-up -- not this time, though, as we both couldent talk fast enough while exchanging our thoughts and emotions. That was a day I will never forget!

When I consigned a few chips to Howdy's Gaming Archaeology Auction No.21, howdy had noted: "We believe the Roulette chips from the Cal-Neva that were made in 1937 are some of the most beautiful ever issued by a casino. The pine cone design is reminiscent to the Lake and the 'Crest & Seal' style is pure-1930s. We are proud to offer these chips to the collecting community for the first time."

Original manufacturer's records indicate that there were three main color combinatios: red ring, yellow ring and black ring; of which each had seven different colors. Howdy also goes on to mention that the chips were ordered on June 7th, 1937, barely days after the fire that destroyed the casino. Howdy also indicates from his research that less than 100 of each color were ordered. His closing statement was: "The fact that any of these chips have survived makes them very desirable."
During that auction, the average chip realized $770. Six colors were sold.

Prior to that auction (December of 1996), during the chip's début: I sold a few examples at $250 each - twice the estimated book value at that time.

Then, with about fourteen chips having been sold and traded, I was down to having the seven pieces in my collection, along with a few additional pieces for future offerings.

In the Spring Issue (Vol 11, #2) of "Casino Chip And Token News," another example of the series (The Chip Rack: N6316) was offered, and the highest-bidder paid $1,450 for the chip.

At eBay Auctions, May 7th, 1998, item #1283836: Brown with a yellow ring (The Chip Rack: N6333) was offered for $1,400 -- and sold.

In the next club magazine I will be offering my last example of the chip seen below (The Chip Rack: N6322): Maroon with a cherry-red ring. This chip is in "excellent condition" having a sharp, nick-free edge.

Thanks,
JB

Above history and research provided by Historian Howard Herz of Gaming Archaeology - The World's foremost casino chip auction subscription service.
P.O. Box 1000
Minden. Nevada 89423