I recently purchased a 1954 Hunt & Co. mail order catalog. I was a little disappointed when I received it as the only chips shown in the catalog are the single chip featured on the front cover and six chips on the back cover. But… as I read through the catalog in detail I began to appreciate its significance to gambling history.

A little bit of detail. The catalog measures 3 5/8” x 5 7/8” and is 48 pages in length. It was originally sent (for 2 cents postage!) to the Lakeview Tavern in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Most entries include a photograph or an artist’s rendition of the items for sale. The catalog offers: metal trade checks, push cards (I call them punchcards), punch boards (featuring six photos), jar tab games, magic tricks, a large section on dice both standard and custom, playing cards, chips, a few cheating devices, dealers’ supplies, a few gambling books, and some other books both racy, “Memories of a Parisian Actress” and “Woman the Criminal”, and mundane, “How To Make Real Money At Farming”. I still can’t figure out why that’s in there.

The photo shows the front and back covers. The chips are from my collection. Just showing off a little.

All in all it’s a pretty cool catalog and I’m pleased to have it in my collection.

Here’s the deal. I’m offering a photocopy* of this catalog for $10, delivered. Not $10 cash, but $10 in chips. I’ll accept $10 face value in casino chips. Any casino chips, from any location, in any combination. All I ask is that the chips be in decent condition. I’ll even trade, straight up, for a copy of other similar catalogs from other chip manufacturers / distributors. Or, if you happen to have a bunch of old clay UFCs, I’ll accept these at a value of $2 each.

* This catalog is small and may be a little difficult to read. At least it is for me. So, I’ll increase the size by about 50% when I copy it. I also have the original mailing envelope addressed to the Lakeview Tavern and will include a copy of it with the catalog.

Please email me for my address. Thanks!