This is just so sad to lose Ralph. He has been chippin' for more than 80 years and grew up with chip history. We are losing one of the truely great chip collectors and a great guy. It is heart breaking to see Ralph go.

This is from the Introduction in Dale Seymour's book Antique Gambling Chips:

" The earliest known serious collector of poker chips was Carl M Strandwold of Pasadena, California. Strandwold, father of current collector Ralph Strandwold, claimed the largest known collection in the 30s and 40s. He entered his 450 different chip varieties in several southern California hobby shows." thank you Dale Seymour