21

I can't imagine this postcard made people want to gamble. The four players look bored, the casino looks empty, and there is something a bit sinister about the lurker in the shadows. The caption, "Legal, state-supervised gambling in Reno, Nevada, is one of the many attractions which draw thousands of tourists each year. A "21" game is pictured here in one of the city's many hotels and clubs." The publisher, "A MIKE ROBERTS COLOR PRODUCTION, BERKELEY 2, CALIF. Distributed by Sierra News Co., Reno." Thousands of tourists?

Einstein In Reno

When I first picked up this card, I thought I saw the profile of Albert Einstein. (On the right side of the card next to the lady with the red hat.) But as we all know, Albert Einstein dismissed the possibility of time travel, and since the gentleman in question looks like portraits I've seen of Al circa 1910, it can't be him. Printed on the back, "This is the largest gaming establishment in Nevada." And, "PUB. BY SIERRA NEWS CO., RENO, NEVADA. NATURAL COLOR POST CARD MADE IN U.S.A. BY E. C. KROPP CO., MILWAUKEE, WIS.-(DBL)" Of course Albert Einstein could have been wrong about time travel.

Ann Anderson, Bank Robber

Wire photos were a method used by news wire services to electronically transmit still images by either telegraph or telephone wires. The caption reads, "(RO2) Reno, Nev., Jan. 2--BOOKED ON BANK ROBBERY CHARGES Mrs. Ann Anderson, 28, of Petaluma, Calif., is one of three persons booked in the Reno city jail on bank robbery charges. Mrs. Anderson and her husband and 33-year-old Shirley Maniscalco of San Fransisco are being held in connection with a bank robbery at Cotati, Calif., last Friday. Their arrest followed a fight at a Reno motel last night in which a fourth member of the group, Ted Barker was shot and killed. (APWirephoto) (RS1420str) 1955" Stamped on the back, "MRS DONALD MRS ANN ANDERSON RECEIVED EXAMINER REFERENCE LIBRARY JAN 3 1955" This has been a rather frustrating post. I was able to find a listing for a California prison inmate named Ann Anderson, aged 84, and had this lady been sentenced to life, that would be the right age. And then the wall, access to prison, court, and arrest records cost money.

The Famous Old Crystal Bar

From the fifties, I would think. One man, four women, standing in front of The Famous Old Crystal Bar. Just added: I thought the name of the bar would be too common to identify the location, but with the use of my most powerful magnifying glass I was able to make out Washoe County on the sign, and was then able to place The Crystal Bar in Reno, Nevada. When this picture was taken, Nevada had the most liberal divorce laws in the country, and many Americans, anxious to get out of a bad marriage, headed to Reno for the waiting period and divorce. I'm thinking these five people may be knocking back a few while waiting for the judge to sign the decree.