401 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL

Red, Yellow and Black, all monogramed on both sides.

Tull was my Grandfather. He ran illegal operations before and during the War (WWII). These chips were ordered for "The Corner" an illegal operation that he was having built in the basement of 401 E. Monroe, the Majestic Hotel. It was a block away from the Capital Building (Springfield is the Capital of Illinois) and while nearly all the State officials conducted business in Springfield, most lived away, especially in the Chicago area.

The Corner was intended to be a place to go, after-hours, while being in Springfield, as opposed to watching the corn grow!

My Grandfather died of a heart attack, 3 weeks before opening and the place never opened. My Mother recalls playing with the chips over the years and it wasn't until after I started collecting chips that I even discovered this family history!

Although I now have one of each color, I only have yellow as a trader.

Thanks for asking,

Jim Follis