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 Replies: 25 / Views: 16,819 |
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
OK everyone I know I'm REALLY reaching here but the boss uncovred these at work today.  I've been doing some research and am still doing so but figured why not ask if anyone can help. Seems the Swastika design was a symbol of good luck to some Native Americans before it became the "Swastika we know". Poker chips like this were made out of clay from 1875-1920 (from what I've read on ebay). These are not clay however. I believe they are bakelight (SP?) I'm going to keep digging but if anyone can throw me a bone I'd appreciate it. We really do buy some odd stuff at times. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
677 Posts |
I ran across this article in a San Diego newspaper on-line (you have probably run across it already?): http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stor...r-reignites/Here is an excerpt: David Marrs understands the mixed feelings.
The El Cajon resident, 38, collects poker chips decorated with swastikas. He has about 2,000, all made in the United States in the early 1900s, when the symbol was used fairly often as a lucky sign. Even Coca-Cola had swastikas in some of its advertising back then.
"It's fascinating to me when you dig into the history," Marrs said. "You'll see pictures of a Hindu shrine, and blam! There's a swastika staring you in the face. You're like, 'What the heck? Where did that come from?' "
He said he collects the chips because of the story behind them, and their rarity, which he thinks will make them more valuable someday. But he knows that not everyone will understand, so he mostly keeps them hidden. He let a neighbor see the collection once, and she called him a neo-Nazi.
"It's such a powerful image, and we all know what the swastika came to represent," he said. "It knocks you back a bit."
Marrs said he occasionally sells some of his chips online, and ebay once temporarily removed his listing, even though he identified the items as pre-Nazi. Maybe you could track him down through e-bay and he would help you? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
The Japanese also have used a "reversed" swastika symbol as a good-luck symbol. It's unfortunate that the Nazis hijacked this symbol for the rest of time, along with the toothbrush mustache. It's also ironic that the Volkswagen survived the stigma ... although I should have driven the '71 Superbeetle I once owned directly to a salvage yard and abandoned it. Would have saved me a long walk after it dropped a valve into the engine on a deserted stretch of road.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
The swaztika was historically considered a "bent cross" and was a positive symbol used by many religions prior to the rise of Nazi Germany.
I had an old girlfriend in college who lived in an older apartment building and the floor was tiled in a swaztika design. Very strange until I understood the history of the symbol.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
The swastika has a loonngg history dating thousands of years before the Nazis. The Wiki version of its history can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SwastikaAlthough I don't think this helps with the chips above... |
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Valued Member
 United States
306 Posts |
I have a Taft for President button that is in the shape of a swaztika. From what I have found it was used by labor unions at that time as a symbol of unity. -- Terrell
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
Hmm, I just read about the bakelite (don't know how I missed that the first time). Bakelite was developed around 1907 and was very popular during the art deco period. The other symbol almost looks like the Mitsubishi emblem!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
Oh yah, bakelite jewelry goes for some bucks these days. It's too bad so many customs of different people had to be dropped or changed because of the use of this symbol to represent evil. It does show, though, how much people miss in history. Sometimes only the surface of things is what people get.. and it's usually not the whole story. More reading: http://www.crystalinks.com/swastika.htmlPoker chips? (halfway down the page): http://www.germaniainternational.co...rmswast.html |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I hate playing "Nazi rules" poker.  It always ends badly. Honestly, that's an interesting chip because the symbol and composition sets a specific time period, probably mid 20s until about 1938.  Quote:
The swatzika was historically considered a "bent cross" and was a positive symbol Right--the problem is not with those positive connotations, but possible confusion with an undeniably evil regime. Context is everything, and these chips have nothing to do with Nazis. Edited by DVCollector
01/07/2010 01:29 am
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Valued Member
 United States
442 Posts |
Thanks for the responses all and yes there were two chips pictured. Same design on both sides.
I will check the links later although I know I've found a few of them already.
I also apologize to CCF for the image (since removed). I meant no harm with it.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Looks as if Photobucket is the culprit censor. I believe most CCF members are educated enough to understand why you posted the image, and I don't believe an apology is necessary, clembo.
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
Looks like you're correct pls.
I reckon Photobucket looked at it, and having no idea why I loaded it, decided to pull the plug.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
598 Posts |
Quote:
Looks as if Photobucket is the culprit censor. I believe most CCF members are educated enough to understand why you posted the image, and I don't believe an apology is necessary, clembo.
pls Quote:
Looks like you're correct pls.
I reckon Photobucket looked at it, and having no idea why I loaded it, decided to pull the plug.
clembo Sad really... the answer to several different questions here. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
 Indeed. |
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Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
Quote:
I also apologize to CCF for the image (since removed). I meant no harm with it. No harm at all. Nazi coins/tokens are not a problem. They are as much a part of our history as anything else. I'd prefer to have the poker chip pictures back up as there are a LOT of people that still need to be educated on the matter. |
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Replies: 25 / Views: 16,819 |
Posted 01/06/2010 09:49 am
