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Frank Sinatra
Rare Original Vintage Cal Neva Lodge Gold Cuff Links
Amazing Piece of Frank Sinatra/Classic Hollywood History !
This is one of the most desirable and collectible casino and Frank Sinatra related items we've had the pleasure of offering to our avid Sinatra collector clients. An Original Vintage set of Cal Neva Lodge Gold Cuff Links, gifted by the man himself, FRANK SINATRA
Condition - EXCELLENT - Near Mint UNUSED ! NO worn off gold on the lettering as others we have seen. . Although we have owned a number of the Cal Neva Lighters over the past 35 years, this is only the second time we have acquired the Frank Sinatra Cal Neva Cuff Links. Very RARE!! Gold toned with faux diamonds. With raised sculpted on each cuff link "Frank Sinatra's Cal Neva Lodge"... Frank Sinatra was known to give these to friends during that short time period when he owned the lodge (1960-63). This set originated from someone who received them personally form Mr Sinatra. It doesn't get any better than this!
* See enlargeable images above and below
During the time this item was made, Frank Sinatra was at a very high point in his life and career and figured that it would be great to partner up with buddy Dean Martin and silent partner, Chicago mob boss, Sam "Momo" Giancana, and others to run his own casino, the Cal Neva Lodge. However, Nevada gaming commission regulations prohibited the attendance of any known criminals at any of its licensed gaming facilities. Since the FBI was watching the Cal Neva closely, they reported that mob boss Sam Giancana did visit the facility and his presence was acknowledged by Frank Sinatra. As a result, Frank Sinatra lost his gaming license for the Cal Neva. Years later, in the early 1980s, Frank would redeem himself before the Nevada gaming commission and win his license back after grueling testimony by himself, Kirk Douglas, the Los Angeles sheriff, and many others. It's interesting to note that in Frank Sinatra's testimony, he stated that he never saw Sam Giancana at the Cal Neva.
As you can see from above, this particular Cal Neva cuff link set from Frank Sinatra's ownership is highly collectible and desirable not because of any hype but because of its true value derived from (1) the richness of this true story; (2) the rarity of this item; (3) the condition and appearance of this item; AND (4) the fact that this was the only time in Frank Sinatra's life that he owned a casino outright, even though it was for only 2 years.
* See enlargeable images above and below
More Cal Neva History:
Cal Neva, built in 1926 by wealthy San Francisco businessman Robert P. Sherman, experienced several owners over the years as it quickly became an important part of Nevada history and entertainment. In 1935, an 11-year-old girl named Frances Gumm performed at Cal Neva with her sisters and was spotted by songwriter Burton Lane. Frances Gumm signed with MGM a few months later and was soon known as Judy Garland. In 1937, a fire blazed through the lodge, but it was quickly resurrected by Norman Blitz.
The 1950s were the beginning of the decadent and luxurious era under the ownership of Wingy Grober, who was close friends with Joseph P. Kennedy. The Kennedys often visited Cal Neva for recreation and to escape the public eye.
Frank Sinatra frequented Cal Neva and briefly owned the resort from 1960 to 1963. He built the Celebrity Room theater and installed a helicopter pad on the roof. Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. all performed there and vacationed with other stars including Marilyn Monroe, Peter Lawford, Joe DiMaggio, Clara Bow, Will Rogers, Juliet Prowse, the McGuire Sisters and Dick Buek. Sinatra's gambling license was temporarily stripped by the Nevada Gaming Control Board after Chicago mobster Sam Giancana was spotted on the premises. Marilyn Monroe spent a weekend at the hotel just one week before her death on August 4, 1962. The cabin known as Monroe's and another known as Sinatra's are still part of the 219 guest accommodations.
Two of the cottages by the bay are connected by an underground tunnel, allowing Sinatra to visit occupants of the other cottage without being seen. This was open to the public for a time before the shutdown.
Current renovations
Criswell-Radovan, LLC, a Napa, a California-based development company, which acquired the property in spring 2013, closed it as a whole on September 5, 2013 for a complete renovation.
The development project, estimated to take at least a year, was to include an overhaul of the 10-story Cal Neva, including interior guest rooms, the famous Circle Bar, the casino, Frank Sinatra's Celebrity Room theater and a complete exterior upgrade. The casino upgrade would restore the glamour of Cal Neva's original 6,000-square-foot gaming floor, complete with a full slot machine display and the return of table games. Criswell-Radovan was aiming to reopen the property as soon as December 12, 2014.
The resort has not as yet reopened. Recent news reports indicated the possibility of a December 12, 2015, date, which would have coincided with Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. Which unfortunately did not happen..
Note: See other Vintage Cal Neva and Frank Sinatra Treasures below under, "Other Vintage Treasures You May Like".
