Lot 557
Rare and Remarkable Collection of 300 St. John's Casino Chips, Havana Cuba $1, $5, $25, $100 Values plus "B" and "C" Chips. Outstanding and valuable collection of 300 St. John's Casino Chips, Havana Cuba in overall very fine to superior condition. The St. John's, inaugurated in 1957, was located on O Street, between 23 and 25, at the heart of Vedado, one block away from the capital’s raising Rampa. It was under the control of José López Vilaboy, an important hotel industrialist at the time, a shareholder in over twenty firms protected by the government and close to president Batista. It had among its facilities, on the top floor, the Pico Blanco cabaret, one of the most popular in the capital because of its colorful performances.
About its casino, even though it was advertised in a 1959 guide book, it never operated. Its chips even remained completely unknown for years until they were brought to light by chance, all new and even in their original cases. This is just such a collection:
This collection highlights olive insert chips 50/$100, 40/$25 (10/25 have rare olive inserts, 30 grey/green 10 teal/green), 55/$5 (5 of these having rare olive inserts) 5/$1, 40/B chips in havest gold, 105/C chips in harvest gold and 5/C chips in red. (The "C" chips have slight wear over those with peso denominations) An excellent collection for collectors and dealers alike with. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
|
| |
| Realized $2,100 |
