Mementos of its notorious history, spectacular music scene and sinful reputation are a great way for attendees to remember their retro experiences of Vegas. Following are some unique gift options.
The Elvis Viva Las Vegas Poker Set boasts a white vinyl case, red velvet interior and gold lettering. The set includes customized poker chips embossed with Elvis Presley’s signature and playing cards showcasing his Vegas performances.
The Las Vegas Mob Experience shot glass set, availble through the Las Vegas Mob Experience gift shop at Tropicana Las Vegas (702.739.2662), features the scowling faces of Flamingo founder Bugsy Siegel, “mob accountant” Meyer Lansky, mob boss Lucky Luciano and “Prime Minister of the Underworld” Frank Costello.
Music
The Rat Pack: Live at The Sands showcases one of the legendary Las Vegas performances of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. The 24-track album, recorded in September 1963 at the Sands Hotel, features favorite solos, duets and trios along with the infamous banter and charm of The Rat Pack.
The Aug. 26, 1969 recording of Elvis Live in Vegas features The King’s greatest hits in a live recording at The International Hotel during his opening season in Las Vegas.
Books
Elvis historian Paul Lichter’s newest book, Elvis in Vegas, documents Presley’s Vegas years, featuring never-before-seen photographs and detailed interviews.
Through the art and history recorded on vintage postcards,
Mid-Century Vegas: 1930s to 1960s portrays Las Vegas’ transition from a dusty Wild West town to a city of lavish luxury and enticing glamour.
Skim through the pages and watch Vegas history unfold with Fabulous Las Vegas in the ’50s: Glitz, Glamor and Games, spotlighting the original lights of the Tropicana hotel, Frank Sinatra’s first steps onto The Strip and rare photographs of such celebrities as Bob Hope and Bing Crosby as they ham it up during the historic beginnings of “Sin City.”
Movies
Meet Me in Las Vegas is a digitally remastered 1956 classic featuring a star-studded cast. This musical comedy DVD features the famous actress and dancer Cyd Charisse and iconic retro sights of the city, including The Sands Hotel.
Take a glimpse into the darker side of Las Vegas history with the movie Vegas and the Mob. Profiling notorious mobsters like Bugsy Siegel and Allen Glick, the film portrays the radical transformation of the city after organized crime bosses saw the golden potential in legal gambling.
