Mark I know you deal in all types of antiques and have a vast knowledge. Is this what you feel the market has changed to since ebay? Regarding your statement on collector books being 40 to 50% too high?
Should all books be updated on collectibles going by ebay values only?

I list rarities in my book that are pretty darn accurate as I have dealt in the chips or I believed the source of information of chips found many years ago. Many chips were found by the box, or a few boxes, and are brand new still. Especially for the small towns. Also these little clubs you need to remember did not do the business Vegas did so the chips had limited use. Many tables were only open on weekends. Also many only had 500 to 1,000 chips made of each denomination. Small towns are not yet aggresively collected and many sell those on ebay. The Vegas chips sell faster at the shows and its harder to keep a good inventory. There are hoards of many chips is the bottom line and more to come out. I feel most have been found and these are reflected in the market with prices on new large finds going way down. Ebay has brought out many boxes as well as singles of certain chips that were once Unique. I have spent more hours than anyone keeping up with this to produce a guide that is the most accurate possible. Many changes have occured since my last book nearly 5 years ago. Every change will be shown when the next book comes out.
Figuring an accurate price a chip is worth that is very rare is quite difficult. Through repricing over 10,000 chips it becomes a little easier. Many better chips do sell for way over guide prices so your statement for all chips is not accurate.
When my first book came out many chips went way over the guide price right away. When my second book came out in 2000 the same happened and prices for better chips were way over book. Supply and demand! When my next book comes out, still no date yet, I figure no matter how high I feel I fairly valued the better chips if one is up for sale the demand will once again push the envelope. Chips have gone to such astronomical numbers I can't see the prices going any higher- but I said this years ago when my first edition came out. I remember the days when the most expensive chip was $60 for a Bugsy Flamingo $5 through Bill Borland. It was nuts! I could not buy it. I had a limit of $3. Now this chip has sold at least twice at the $5,000 or better mark. And find one for sale now! They are all locked in collections.
Nearly every time a big price is paid for a chip and that same chip, or one like it is sold, it goes for even more. Deep pockets? Of course. Serious collectors? Yes, for the most part. The chip hobby is booming. I know not everyone can afford to collect the expensive chips but there are 1,000's around to be collected and new ones coming out daily. Many hobbies have items that sell for over $100,000. It still amazes me we have chips over $10,000 but I have paid it and happy I did.