TA-NEVA=HO/winter 1939. These pictures are really interesting. I am impressed by the resources that AL MOE put into the book!

A review of the second edition by Mr. Michael Knapp;

NEVADA’S GOLDEN AGE OF GAMBLING (2001) by Albert Woods Moe

Some of our members reading this review may not know who Al Moe is. One of the earliest pioneers of the chip collecting hobby, Al Moe has also been employed for much of his life in the Nevada gaming industry. When Bill Borland ceased publication of his “World Wide Casino” newsletter, Al Moe took up the challenge and began publishing Casino & Gaming Chips Magazine.

The first issue appeared in August of 1986, and Moe ceased publication after 7 issues, the last appearing in October, 1987. After the first few issues, the magazine included a column about Atlantic City chips and tokens by someone named Archie Black.

When Al Moe ceased publication of his small but information-packed maga-zine, it was his mailing list that Archie Black used to solicit subscriptions to his new Atlantic City publication. Shortly afterwards, the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club was born.

This is the second edition of Al’s wonderful book. In Chapter 4, he writes, “I admit to having a love for Lake Tahoe.” His book clearly reflects that love, as well as his love for the history of gaming in Nevada, especially Tahoe and Reno. The book is chock full of stories of the state’s gaming pioneers, the famous and the infamous: Bill Graham and Jim McKay, who virtually owned Reno in the early days; Norman Biltz; Eddie Sahati and his brother Nick; George Wingfield (whose bodyguard, Bill Graham, later became one of the kingpins of Reno/Tahoe gaming and other forms of entertainment); Barney O’Malia; Nick Abelman; William F. Harrah; the Tomerlin brothers; and many more.

In addition, nuggets of history and stories of the way it was in the beginning proliferate through Al’s book.

A few examples . . . .

I didn’t know that Elmer “Bones” Remmer ran the Cal-Neva Lodge for owners Graham and McKay, and that he learned the business as manager of the Menlo Club in San Francisco during World War II.

The story of the ownerships and name changes of the La Vada Lodge, the Cal Vada Lodge, the Bal Tabarin, the New Cal Vada Lodge, the Tahoe Biltmore, Joby’s Monte Carlo, the Tahoe Biltmore, the Nevada Lodge, the Sierra Lodge, and Jim Kelley’s Nugget is not only fascinating, but enough to confuse even the most careful of readers. I had to go over it four times and take notes!

Or how about the story of the beautiful Stateline Country Club $100 chips showing the swimming pool on the center inlay?

Las Vegas isn’t slighted either. Stories about Sinatra, Carl Cohen, Howard Hughes, and other names we all recognize are included, and each has a slightly different slant than what we’re used to reading.

Numerous photographs, many from the Nevada Historical Society, postcards, and personal collections, many of which are rarely seen, add greatly to the book. Al Moe’s first edition was a great book for any Nevada gaming historian or collector, and the second edition is even better.

Moe’s book can be obtained from www.pugetsoundbooks.com, and if you mention this review when you order, shipping is free!

My pics are from the firsdt edition, the bookseller liked it better!

P.S. Don't know if that last line in Michael Knapp's review is true any longer!