Amazing story Mr Birl---It brought back a great memory for me--I met bob Mera in the mid 90's when i stumbled into his store that was located in a section of the boardwalk between the tropicana and the Hilton--I was amazed at the display he had set up for auction chips. He kept me there for better than an hour. I met him on a day where he was as hyper as i have met anyone to be--That morning he as he put it ' He Captured The Queen " he just got back from standing in line and had purchased the majority of the Queen of Spades from the Tropworld set of 20. they released that chip that morning--He Captured the queen for all his Friends and Traders- He showed me some of the rarer chips he had up for auctions. They were in little bags, each with a card on it saying who owned it,high bid ect.. All as organized as i have ever seen-That got me going also, i spent some money, bought some chips, and visited his store every time i went to AC. Bob Could tell it like it was-There was no holding back with Bob. As long as i continue enjoying this hobby, Bob will be a favorite memory for me----
Thanks for bringing your story up. I got Flashbacks galore
Bill In Baltimore