The Coates Playing Cards Collection (1920s-1960s) consists of sixty-six decks of playing cards collected by Mrs. Phillip A. Coates. The collection includes promotional decks from various businesses, including the Southern Pacific Lines railroad and the Grace Line steamship company. The majority of the decks are of a narrower design to be used in playing canasta or bridge, with many being multi-deck sets.
Oral history interview with Della Coates conducted by Bill Hitchcock on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coates discusses public services, atomic testing, Nellis Air Force Base, the education system, military life, the difference in wages between careers, and wage changes. She also describes her time working for the telephone company.
On March 18, 1978, collector Bill Hitchcock interviewed Della Coates (b. June 17th, 1919 in Birmingham, Alabama) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the interview, Della Coates discusses her time working for the telephone company. She also speaks about the changes in education and about changes throughout Las Vegas.