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The Chip Board Archive 20

Illegal Of The Day Indiana-Terra Haute

I got “The Office” yellow chip in 2009 and the blue chip in 2010.
Slant S or Lazy S mold depending on who you are talking to. vbg
The chips were actually made at the Burt Co in Maine.

Distributed by Ryan & Co ("Ryans Speed Checks") Chicago 1930’s-40’s. After Ryan sold out both HE Mason & Co and Taylor & Co sold the Slant S mold a few times. More than likely the Ryan leftover stock. No records from Ryan are known.

History of clay compression molded chips. Only 3 companies actually “made” them until Paul-Son started up on Main St in LV, 1964. Paul-Son moved production to Mexico in 1985.

USPC – Sold out the old molds to Burt 1947.
Burt Co – Sold out to Chipco roughly 1988- Old molds went to Atlantic Standard roughly 1989.
TR King – Went out of business a few years ago.
Paul-Son – sold out to GPI roughly 2001.

Enough of that:

The Office
810 Wabash Ave
Terra Haute, IN
1930's and was still operating as late as 1981

Info from the friend that sent me the blue chip:
Gene ,

It took me 6 months or so to locate this old information regarding " The Office " chips . Original INFO came from Leonard Sappington in Clinton, Indiana. From back in 1999,
he writes to me and I quote :

"I found out today that the chips that say " The Office " came out of an old club in Terre Haute, IN. There was a Club there in the 20's - 50's that had a reputation, so to speak . At that time in Terre Haute, it also had a serious RED LIGHT district and lots of Speakeasy sort of establishments.

My grandfather was a cop in those days 20's - 40's and he walked the beat down Wabash Ave. (Main St.) and had several run ins with the likes of John Dillinger ... good ones though ... he was liked in Terre Haute, well sort of ... anyway, that's where the Office chips came from ... "

I have " attached 2 scans " just to refresh your memory ( and mine ) . One is the Office chip and one scan is of the 25 cent GFT token that has the Office along with the address on the token itself.

The Office, 810 Wabash Ave. Terre Haute , Indiana.

I usual check out info when I can. vbg

From my “Friend Of The Hobby.”

Always happy to help. There was a tavern in Terre Haute called "The Office" located at 810 Wabash Ave (see pic).

It opened in the late 1930's and was still operating as late as 1981. The owner was named George Oltean (born 1910). He sold the building in 1986 and the address currently houses a place called the "Copper Bar."

Unfortunately, I didn't find any references to The Office having gambling. However, Oltean's younger brother Michael J. Oltean (1917-1965) does seem to have been involved with gambling in Terre Haute. While operating the "Turf Club" in 1960 he purchased a federal wagering stamp, subscribed to a racing wire out of Indianapolis and purchased betting slips from Chicago. So, I'd say there's a good chance that the Oltean's may have offered gambling at The Office at some time during the 1940-60's.

Messages In This Thread

Illegal Of The Day Indiana-Terra Haute
Thanks again, Gene! vbg
very sharp looking chips-nice find
Pretty cool chips, Gene! Thanks! grin
Re: Illegal Of The Day Indiana-Terra Haute
THANKS GENE! vbg vbg
THANKS, GENE. grin

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