Game: Antique and Vintage Board Games and Parlor Games
Antique and vintage games encompass the broad collecting category of board games, card games, parlor games, puzzles, and gaming accessories produced from the 18th century through the mid-20th century. Major American game manufacturers including McLoughlin Brothers, Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, and Selchow & Righter produced thousands of titles, many featuring spectacular lithographed box covers and boards. This category attracts collectors interested in Americana, graphic design, social history, and popular culture.
History and Major Manufacturers
- 1843: W. & S.B. Ives produces the first American board game, "The Mansion of Happiness"
- 1858: McLoughlin Brothers established in New York; becomes the premier 19th-century game publisher
- 1860: Milton Bradley Company founded in Springfield, Massachusetts
- 1883: Parker Brothers founded in Salem, Massachusetts
- 1867: Selchow & Righter established; later produces Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit
- 1920: McLoughlin Brothers absorbed by Milton Bradley
- 1935: Parker Brothers releases Monopoly, the bestselling board game in history
Types of Collectible Games
- 19th-century board games: McLoughlin, Ives, and other early publishers; spectacular chromolithographed covers
- Card games: Authors, Old Maid, and specialty card games with illustrated cards
- Strategy games: Chess sets, checkers sets, and backgammon boards
- Parlor games: Victorian-era social games, charades sets, and word games
- Children's games: Educational and entertainment games with colorful graphics
- Skill games: Tiddlywinks, billiards accessories, and dexterity games
- Licensed character games: Games featuring popular culture characters from radio, TV, and comics
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Common Parker Brothers/Milton Bradley game | $10 - $40 | Rare title: $60 - $200 |
| McLoughlin Brothers game (1870s-1900) | $100 - $500 | Spectacular cover: $600 - $3,000 |
| 19th-century game (pre-1880) | $100 - $400 | Rare title: $500 - $2,000 |
| Victorian card game set | $20 - $80 | Early or unusual: $100 - $400 |
| Licensed character game (1930s-1950s) | $30 - $100 | Popular character: $150 - $500 |
| Antique chess set | $50 - $300 | Ivory or carved: $500 - $5,000+ |
| Jigsaw puzzle (wood, pre-1930) | $20 - $100 | Large, complete: $150 - $500 |
Condition and Completeness
- Completeness: All components (board, pieces, cards, spinner, instructions) must be present; missing parts significantly reduce value
- Box condition: The box lid with its lithographed cover art is often the most valuable component
- Board condition: Creases, tears, and water damage are common; boards should lie flat
- Playing pieces: Original pieces should be complete; replaced or improvised pieces reduce value
- Graphics: Bright, unfaded colors on box covers and boards are essential for premium pricing
Collecting Tips
- McLoughlin Brothers games from the 1870s-1900 are the premier collecting category, prized for their spectacular lithographed box covers
- Box cover graphics drive much of the market; games with vivid, elaborate artwork command premiums regardless of play value
- Completeness matters enormously; an incomplete game is worth a fraction of a complete example
- Condition of the box lid is often more important than the condition of the game components
- Licensed character games from the 1930s-1950s (Mickey Mouse, Superman, Lone Ranger) have crossover appeal with character collectible markets
- Pre-Civil War American games are rare and command significant premiums