$37.50 per chip ~ free postage ~ SS Rex Crest and Seal chips ~ famous illegal gambling ship off of California 1930s ~ Very fine condition, no problems, both sides shown ~ PayPal OK ~ Return privileges.

The SS Rex Crest and Seal chips were made by the U S Playing Card Co in 1938 (see photo of mfg records here).

OPERATING OFF SHORE: The SS Rex "opened: 5/1/1938, Closed: 1940
May 1938, Cornero bought and remodeled the SS Rex for $600,000, money believed to be fronted by Bugsy Siegel and actor George Raft. He operated three gambling ships, S.S. Tango, S.S. Rex, and S.S. Lux, off the coats of California between 1934 and 1946. The Rex’s capacity was 2,000 passengers; it had a crew of 325, including world-class chefs, a full orchestra, broadcasters manning a commercial radio station, and, of course, working girls. The casino offered craps, roulette, blackjack, chuck-a-luck, poker, faro, 150 slot machines, and a 400-seat bingo parlor. The horse book received its results via short-wave radio. The games were honest, and Cornero posted a $100,000 reward for anyone who could prove that they weren't. The Rex was so successful that Cornero and his partners netted upwards of $300,000 a month." (http://chipguide.themogh.org/cg_chip2.php?id=CASMRX)

CLOSED DOWN FINALLY: For years Cornero fought the legal authorities, who wanted to close his gambling boats. The SS Tango & SS Rex were anchored outside the ‘three mile limit’ off Santa Monica and Long Beach. The wealthy of Los Angeles would take water taxis out to the ships to enjoy the gambling, shows, and restaurants. The success of Anthony Cornero’s floating casinos brought outrage from California officials. Despite battles with authorities over the legality of their entering international waters, the State of California found a way to circumvent the 'three mile limit'. The state refigured the starting point of the 'three mile limit' off the coastline and determined the ships were indeed in California waters. State District Attorney Earl Warren ordered a series of raids against his gambling ships. "The fatal broadside came from the state supreme court, which on November 20, 1939 ruled that the waters off Santa Monica Bay fell under state jurisdiction. Cornero caved in and struck his pennant the following day. Stripped of her treasure of gaming equipment, the Rex was later motorized for cargo service in World War II, a sad and somewhat ironic turn for the proud old ship. In 1949, the Rex was sold for $10 to a San Francisco man who planned to turn her into a floating night club but never did." (http://www.lamag.com/citythink/askchris/2013/06/28/tony-cornero-and-the-ss-rex)

TONY CORNRO: Gambling ships began appearing in waters off Los Angeles in the late 1920s, offering card games, craps, roulette and bingo to delighted patrons and causing frustration and headaches for authorities. Tony Cornro operated the Rex (the most lavish of the gambling ships) and the Tango. Cornro had a fascinating life story (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Cornero ; and http://framework.latimes.com/2013/08/01/gambling-ships/#/0 ). His family immigrated to the United States from Italy after his father lost the farm in a card game and a fire destroyed their harvest. ….Cornero died July 31, 1955, while playing craps in the Desert Inn Casino. It is suspected that his drink was poisoned by rival gangsters in the gambling business. …

Robert