Galveston: Island of Chance

Chalfant, Frank E.

ISBN 10: 0965956601 / ISBN 13: 9780965956604

Published by Treasures of Nostalgia, Houston, TX, 1997

About this Item

Inscribed to previous owner and signed by the author. Fine. No dust jacket, likely as issued. 179 well-illustrated pages. Bookseller Inventory # 41639

Bibliographic Details

Title: Galveston: Island of Chance

Publisher: Treasures of Nostalgia, Houston, TX

Publication Date: 1997

Binding: Hard Cover

Book Condition:Fine

Signed: Signed by Author

Edition: First Edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

The only book that is a complete chronicle of gambling on Galveston Island, Texas, from 1923 thru 1957. The book has one subject, the colorful history of illegal gambling in Galveston. Galveston was a gambling hotbed of fine casinos when Las Vegas was nothing but a wide spot in the road with some wooden floored bars, which had a few slot machines and table games. The island was run by brothers, Sam and Rose Maceo, along with other family members and in-laws. Many stellar stars performed in the Galveston clubs. Frank Sinatra, Phil Harris, Frankie Lane, The Marx Brothers, Sophie Tucker, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, The Three Stooges, Hildegarde, and The Ritz Brothers to name a few.

The book is 6 X 9 with a glued laminated hardcover. There are 179 pages, 464 photographs, of which 382 are in color. The photos are of gambling chips, old ads, the people, the buildings, dinnerware, and other memorabilia from 183 gambling establishments in Galveston County and 13 around Houston and the state. The machine pictured on the front cover of the book belonged to Sam Maceo and the slot machine on the back cover also came from the island. Both have notarized documentation shown in the book.

The first part of the book tells how the gambling got started and continues to the large raid that was planed, but never took place, that shut down the illegal gambling for good. The remainder of the book covers the establishments that are listed in alphabetical order.

About the Author:

I am 57 years old. I retired, as a supervisor, from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company at age 49. I am currently an antique dealer specializing in depression glass.

I am currently president of the Greater Houston Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors. I was past president and show chairman of the Houston Glass Club. I am a current member of The Houston Gun Collectors and past secretary / treasurer, for twelve years, of the Texas Cartridge Collectors.

I have the largest known collection of gambling memorabilia for the Galveston county area.

I have given numerous talks to civic associations and club about Galveston gambling, my collection, and my book.