I've been in chip collecting heaven the last couple of weeks. First is Doug Saito's auction catalog of premium Las Vegas chips taking place at Casinorama in April. The auction should be quite the event but the catalog will always be an important reference source. This catalog (along with Doug's previous catalog for the Hank Boss auction) gives fascinating histories of Vegas casinos (large and small.) In addition Doug describes each chip and the reasons for lusting (condition, rarity, mold, history, etc.) For new collectors, Doug's catalog is a superb primer for why some chips sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. I think the catalog is a must for anyone interested in obsolete Vegas chips.
The other event was the arrival of my third edition of the Campiglia/Wells book. Simply superb. I'm on my second reading and will probably re-read it several more times.
Both of these references required an immense effort and benefir the hobby.
My two cents.