Anyone else use playable sets of Illegal hotstamps?

AceDeuceNoUse · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 06:17 PM

I recently came into possession of a playable set of Web Mold hotstamp chips presumably originating from illegal card club. FWIS, these types of chips (solid non-denom clays of various molds with hotstamped initials) usually date back 30-60 years or so and are commonly found on feebay, ChipTalk.net and other chip sites in small sets or singles. However, sets large enough for table play seem to be few and far between.

I realize these kind of chips won't win any design awards; do you think this is one of the main reasons playable sets are not retained? Are they seen as having more relative "value" to collectors than to home players?

Does anyone else have a playable set? Post some pics if you do!

asam2006 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 06:49 PM

I don't know about the value to collctors. I think it would depend on how rare the chips, their history and desireablity. I know I like those chips; cool mold and they might even be Paulsons. They certainly look to be in good shape and relatively unused. I'd prefer a cash set .25/1/5 or a tournament set 25/100/500 so I wouldn't be buying that set to play. One big advantage and a big selling point with those chips is security. Someone interested in those chips would have a great $1/$2 holdem set and could really adapt it for a tournament 5/25/100 and be pretty darn sure no one would have anything like those in their possession. Nice chips!!

Damon · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 07:26 PM

Beautiful chips. Have you found out anything more about the origin of those? How did you come across that set?

Harlequin011 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 08:12 PM

There is a old timer game that I play stud 8 in every Friday night. They all have stories about the illegal casinos in northern Kentucky. For those that don't know these were every bit a glamorous and high society as Vegas was. The area was know as the Las Vegas of the east.

Anyway, these guys also hosted games for local charities and organizations. For the poker games they use similar chips to these. There are about 5K of them floating around. We also use them in Friday games.

Sadly, these are the nicest chips that I get to use outside of a casino.

AceDeuceNoUse · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon

Beautiful chips. Have you found out anything more about the origin of those? How did you come across that set?

Still haven't found any more info. For now, I guess I'm okay with them being UFC's.

I snagged them off feebay for about .19/chip.

EmptyPocs · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:12 AM

nice buy; were those made by ASM?

hod · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:24 AM

I don't know anything about those chips.

Apart, that is, that I really like solid hot stamps, and those are absolutely no different.

I've always thought that most folks have a strange aversion to playing tournaments with only 3 colours of chips, but it's perfectly possible and practical for one table games at least.

AceDeuceNoUse · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmptyPocs

nice buy; were those made by ASM?

According to Gene Trimble, they were most likely made by Burt Co. of Maine, in the latter part of last century. The hotstamping was likely done by a local/regional distributor who made the actual sale to the client. The web mold made its way to Paul-Son at some point, and is probably gathering dust in their warehouse (on a shelf next to the diamond mold); perhaps it was retired after they made the alternate Scandias for the home fantasy market.

My own theory is that older molds were retired for aesthetic/marketing reasons, since the Paulson name has become uniquely associated with THC/RHC chips. As a result, there is no question as to whether or not a chip is a Paulson - the mold either has the Paulson name (blech), or it has 'Hat and Cane' in some permutation.

I personally think the casino market is in need of a mold refresh - they should bring the web mold of retirement!

abby99 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 12:48 PM

Very nice chips!

BTW, my sister and I share a home. Her name is Mary. Mine is Marsha. We jointly host poker games. I've considered using a simple M&M like this for a custom hot-stamped set, and it's nice to see a preview like this.

This mold is especially attractive. Nice score!

Did I mention that those are very nice chips?

King of the Farm · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 04:42 PM

I've got a playable set of Jack Todd's. I'm not sure if they're from an illegal club or not since Jack Todd is gone now and no one has their records.

I've got 1000 piece set. Very old, If memory serves, they're pre-WW2. The case they came is is really old too.

I must've deleted my photos from Photobucket... I went to attach the photos and they're gone now. I'll have to take new photos when I get a chance but it won't be for at least a week or so. Leaving on a trip in a couple days.