The Dunes Las Vegas Casino Collector Poker Chip Set

The Dunes Las Vegas Casino Collector Poker Chip Set. Chips will be in equal or greater condition as the ones pictured. The Dunes opened on May 23, 1955, as a low-rise resort with Hollywood star Vera-Ellen.

Providing the entertainment in the Magic Carpet Review. When the North Tower was added in 1961 it was one of the finest and largest hotels on the strip. The South Tower was added in 1979. The hotel was built in part with financing from movie mogul Al Gottesman and the Teamsters.

The resort boasted an 18-hole golf course, a rooftop health spa and a 90 ft. The Hotel's Slogan was The Miracle in the Desert. In its early years, the Dunes was known for the 35 ft (11 m) tall fiberglass sultan. (1964) that stood above its main entrance.

Many top performers, such as Dean Martin, Jayne Mansfield, Liberace, George Burns, Pat Cooper, Judy Garland, Phyllis Diller, and Frank Sinatra performed at the hotel. Although it opened to much fanfare, it struggled from the start: one reason was its location at what was then the southernmost part of the Strip. Lent its executives to help out, as well as bringing in numerous famous celebrities and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra. S surprise appearance dressed as a sultan. On January 10, 1957, in a desperate move to keep the resort afloat, the Dunes became the first hotel/casino in Nevada. Show, called Minsky's Follies - the first of which was Minsky Goes to Paris. " The State Legislature was "in an uproar, but the show set a record for attendance in a single week at 16,000. In 1961, a 24 story tower was built, bringing the number of rooms up to 450. In 1970, there were unrealized rumors Howard Hughes. In 1979, the hotel expanded to 1300 rooms.

The sultan statue, by now on the golf course, caught fire in 1985, reportedly due to an electrical short in its stomach. On January 26, 1993, the Dunes closed its doors for good. A liquidation sale was conducted by National Content Liquidators to clear the property of its contents as a prelude to the building's implosion. Like many of the legendary properties of its era, it could no longer compete with the newer and more exciting megaresorts. Steve Wynn bought the Dunes and started the implosion trend with the North Tower.

On October 27, 1993, the Dunes was imploded. In a grand ceremony that involved major fireworks. Over 200,000 people watched the implosion.

The Dunes Sign itself was lit and the sign read "No Vacancy" as if it was still open. Along with Controlled Demoliton Inc. Stood by and said Captain of the Britannia, prepare broadside; Ready, Aim, Fire.

The neon sign was destroyed and a fireball fueled by 16,000 liters of aviation fuel engulfed the Diamond Tower shortly before explosives brought it down. Everything except the south tower was destroyed amid a shower of fireworks never before equaled west of the Mississippi. The Dunes counts as two implosions as the South Tower was obliterated in July, 1994, with no fanfare and minimal media attention. The implosion also held symbolic significance for the city.

Many longtime residents knew the Dunes was controlled by the mafia. The implosion signaled the end of significant mafia control and influence in Las Vegas. For many years, the hotel was owned by Major Riddle from the Chicago Outfit. An attorney associated with the St. And Frank Foster, owner of Athony Alarm.

Riddle and Shenker later became a target of the Organized Crime Strike Force in St. The Bellagio now stands in its place. During its construction, workers found four bags of Dunes casino chips.

That were buried at the site. USA (Lower 48 States) - FREE. All auctions are final, so please be responsible for the item you choose.

We rarely make mistakes, but when we do, we will fix it immediately. Thank you for reading & observing these policies so that we have a mutually satisfying relationship. The item "The Dunes Las Vegas Casino Collector Poker Chip Set" is in sale since Thursday, March 03, 2011.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Casino\Chips\Individual Casino Chips\Other". The seller is "spinettis" and is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. This item can be shipped to United States, to all countries in Europe, to all countries in continental Asia, to Canada, to Australia, to Mexico.

Country of Manufacture: United States
DUNES CASINO CHIPS: OBSOLETE COLLECTOR CHIPS