[Apotome]

I'm curious if anyone has information or even just thoughts about why some older molds are no longer manufactured. One obvious reason is that the companies that once produced those chips have gone out of business. But take a look at this great page:

http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/..._geometric.htm

And, for example, look about 1/3 of the way down the page at the MD-50 mold (Diamonds and Squares). I have some of these chips in my collection and they're quite nice if you ask me. The information on this page suggests that they were at one time manufactured by a number of companies, but one among them (ASM) definitely still exists. So back to the original question. Any thoughts on why that particular mold might no longer be offered?

Best regards,
Allan B.

[TenPercenter]

ASM has many molds that it doesn't use anymore. I don't know the real answer, I hope Jim can give some insight, he comes around every once in a while.

Basically some molds are more popular than othhers, or some molds just get stale from disuse. Like the old Bud Jones Dice mold, it was very popular for a long time, and ASM owns it, but we haven't seen it in use. Or the Nevada mold... same thing: it was not used for a long time and then it was resurected for the signature mold of a new chip retailer.

Greg

p.s. : Here's that old Bud Jones dice mold:

[Apotome]

Originally Posted by TenPercenter

ASM has many molds that it doesn't use anymore. I don't know the real answer, I hope Jim can give some insight, he comes around every once in a while.

It might be interesting if they were to bring a mold out of retirement every now and then... perhaps offering to produce chips from it for a limited time and then putting it back in the vault. Just a thought.

AB

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by Apotome

It might be interesting if they were to bring a mold out of retirement every now and then... perhaps offering to produce chips from it for a limited time and then putting it back in the vault. Just a thought.

AB

I'm sure they will... for a price or maybe free. If you're getting some pokerchips.com chips, just ask. Problem is, you may not know what molds they own (just ask here, someone can track down info).

[Apotome]

Originally Posted by TenPercenter

I'm sure they will... for a price or maybe free. If you're getting some pokerchips.com chips, just ask. Problem is, you may not know what molds they own (just ask here, someone can track down info).

I am going with Pokerchips.com for my custom set. I'm working on my design right now. I don't want to rush it, so I'm begging time from a graphic artist friend of mine so that I get a clean solid design.

In the meantime... for what it's worth.... here's a pic of a chip from my collection. It's one of my favorite molds. I think it has a classic simple design that holds up well despite its age:



Though according to Robert Eisenstadt's page (link above in this thread) it seems this chip wasn't made by ASM in the past. But who knows? Maybe they have something similar they could offer someday? It's actually quite similar to the Diamond Square design I noted above, though I like the plain rectangles just a tiny bit better.

Regards,
Allan B.

[Apotome]

Originally Posted by Apotome

Though according to Robert Eisenstadt's page (link above in this thread) it seems this chip wasn't made by ASM in the past. But who knows? Maybe they have something similar they could offer someday? It's actually quite similar to the Diamond Square design I noted above, though I like the plain rectangles just a tiny bit better.

After posting that pic above, I happened to be looking through the pokerchips.com site today and came across an interesting chip in their company history section. Check out the first chip on the left, in the second set of chips on this page:

http://www.pokerchips.com/help/history3.html

Looks like they have made that mold in the past. Maybe again someday?

Regards,
Allan B.

[jimb]

The Burt Company(now called ASM) made all the clay chips on all the molds used from the late 1940's to the mid 1970's. Bud Jones' molds, Paulson Hat & Cane, Hub, Diamond Square, etc, etc. The only exception is the crown molds owned and made by TR King.

Why are all these old molds not in use? There are a number of reasons.

1) There are a number of molds of an early style which are not cost effective to use. Some make as few as 9 chips at a time.

2) Some of the old molds are worn out, damaged or returned to their owners.

3) Some of the old molds (example the Hub) are not owned by ASM.

4) Available space. There is a fixed number of molding press available to use.

[Apotome]

Originally Posted by jimb

The Burt Company(now called ASM) made all the clay chips on all the molds used from the late 1940's to the mid 1970's. Bud Jones' molds, Paulson Hat & Cane, Hub, Diamond Square, etc, etc. The only exception is the crown molds owned and made by TR King.

As I read through the rest of the ASM history I began to wonder if that might not be the case. Very interesting to know.

Originally Posted by jimb

Why are all these old molds not in use? There are a number of reasons.

1) There are a number of molds of an early style which are not cost effective to use. Some make as few as 9 chips at a time.

That makes sense. This might be a stupid follow-up question, but does it make economic sense to recreate any of these old molds in modern configurations that allow for more chips per cycle? My other big hobby is LEGO and I know that they are careful about the molds they create simply due to the fact that each one costs significant amounts of money. So maybe it isn't feasible to bring very many new molds into the mix.

Originally Posted by jimb

2) Some of the old molds are worn out, damaged or returned to their owners.

3) Some of the old molds (example the Hub) are not owned by ASM.

Again, these reasons make perfect sense. Another possibly silly question... but is it fair to assume that there are legal restrictions on certain molds? I'm guessing that a particular design might fall under trademark law? Or perhaps be covered by a design patent? I'm not sure.

Not that I'm obsessed over the Hub mold, but I think it illustrates a nice example of a classic design that isn't available today. So the curious side of me wonders about ways that a similar design might someday become available.

Originally Posted by jimb

4) Available space. There is a fixed number of molding press available to use.

Also the reason given for some of the part choices made by LEGO. i.e. not every part can be available at all times in all colors.

Is there ever thought given to retiring a current mold and bringing an older one out of retirement? I know this has a Disney-esque feel to it (putting movies back in the vault etc.) but it's fun to fantasize about other possible custom chip sets.

Sorry for hammering away at this issue. I just find some of those classic old chips to be really appealling. My custom set (from ASM) will hopefully capture as much of that feel as possible.

Thanks,
Allan B.

[SpaceMonkey]

I'd love to see the small key mold come back into production.

[jimb]

Small and large key molds are no longer at ASM. I think Blue chip has the molds. They were owned by the poker store, Stanton CA.
jim