Here is my little story about chip research.

25 years ago I bought some plain clay hot stamp chips with Club Thunderbird on them at a flea market in Concord California. The Flea market vendor was a regular and he said “these are from San Pablo, California”. I asked him how he knew that and he said “I got them from the owner and her name is Ginger Burns.” Silly to say my mind exploded with delightful interest. I was going to have the chance to talk to a female club owner from the 40’s. I asked the dealer if he had any more items that related to the club and he said, “I have some old membership cards”. I bought all the cards and asked to meet Ginger Burns.

The vendor would not give up his contact but told me more about Ginger. He told me she was an entertainer and performed in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she performed at Club Thunderbird she would place a life size porcelain sign of herself out front. I told him I would like to buy the sign and he said “I will try to get it”. For 2 years I asked him regularly “did you get the sign? Do you have pictures or anything else from the club?” With each visit he would say “nothing yet”. I wanted to meet Ginger, see what she looked like and learn about the life of a female club owner and entertainer.

During the two years after buying the chips and membership cards I searched phone books and newspapers in libraries looking for information about Ginger and her club. Over 2 years I asked the vendor to get me in touch with Ginger and answer was always no. The Concord flea market vendor eventually disappeared from sight and my hopes of ever meeting Ginger were fading. With each passing year the chance of meeting the aging Ginger Burns was dwindling like sand through an hour glass. I slowed down my hunt over the years but never gave up. With all the new search opportunities on the web I kept the search alive.

On March 20th 2016 I got a huge hit. Ginger Burns had a scrapbook and it was in the Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley listed under the OLC Online Archive of California. It was not in digital form but the book was there. Yes, I could check out the book. I was very excited knowing I just might get to see what she looked like after 25 years and even see a picture of that porcelain sign I wanted so badly. I wanted the scrapbook to be filled with the life and times of a tough female club owner and entertainer.

I went to the Berkley campus with hopes of finally meeting the lady club owner that I thought about for over 25 years. The Archive of California was on the second floor with lockers on the bottom floor. You had to check all bulky items and ink pens into the lockers before you went upstairs. Before you could enter you had to register with a driver’s license and thumb print. I went through 2 sets of double doors and submitted my call number for the Ginger Burns scrapbook. After a 20 minute wait a person brought a box holding the scrapbook to my large numbered table with cameras all around just like a casino. I had to wear gloves to look inside the box. The scrapbook was taken apart and each page was divided by a folder page.

Yes, I did feel as though I met Ginger Burns and had a thrill looking at every page. There were no raids or corrupt information in the scrapbook. There were several pictures of Ginger and hand written notes with ads from many newspapers. I filled out more paperwork and paid my $10 camera fee and started taking pictures. My search for Ginger Burns was rewarded for now. I will continue to look for more information in the years to come. Here are some of the pictures.

I am listing a two chip set with a membership card on eBay tonight at 6:30 if anyone is interested. I also have a red chip that is not listed on eBay. I have about 30 of each color with extra membership cards. The chips from me are $11 each and the card is $4, with $2.50 shipping on any order. I will not list the single chips for under $11. Having BIG fun Steve.