Games have only recently become hot collectibles. Once considered a sub-category of toys, games, within just the last decade, have come into their own. There are game collectors who specialize in 19th century games, in games of a particular motif, in games based on television, and in more modern games featuring collectible characters. One can divide serious collectors into four main groups: those who collect “old” games, mostly for the “look” of the games; those interested in themed and “cross-collectible” games (games with subject matter that fits into another collecting category, especially games based on licensed characters); those who collect a particular title or type of game (for example, games of finance); and the players who collect strategy games. (There is a fifth category of people who collect games chiefly for financial gain, but they’re primarily investors, not collectors.) Depending on what type of game a collector is interested in, there are certain factors to take into consideration when choosing a game.
COLLECTING GAMES
Games are art, culture, and history. People collect games for many different reasons. Some, quite obviously, want a game because it plays well. Others are interested in the investment potential. Many collectors of early games are awed by the exceptional illustrations on the box covers, gameboards, and cards; some are intrigued by the game pieces–intricate metal tokens, bone dice, carved wooden pawns, ivory markers, intricate teetotums and spinners, and other unusual paraphernalia; and others revel in the way the game records and reflects culture and history. Collectors of newer games, such as character collectible or TV related games, are caught up in the nostalgic or sentimental appeal of the game.
The Companies.
Company name is important, and games by McLoughlin, Bliss, Singer, and even Parker Brothers will generally be of more interest than comparable items by, say, Milton Bradley or an unknown company. Other companies to look for from the turn-of-the-century and earlier include E.G. Selchow, R. Bliss, J.H. Singer, H.B. Chaffee and Chaffee & Selchow, E.O. Clark and Clark & Sowdon, Horsman, Ottmann and, of course, Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers. McLoughlin Brothers was the giant–prolific and producing beautiful games. It is difficult to find some of the extraordinary games made by a number of small, earlier companies such as E.G. Selchow, Geo. S. Parker, W. & S.B. Ives, Hamilton-Meyers, Noyes and Noyes & Snow.
Perhaps the best companies from the early 1900s are Alderman Fairchild (All-Fair), Wolverine, Wilder, Stoll & Einson, Stoll & Edwards, Selchow & Righter, and the Embossing Co. Popular companies such as Rosebud, Pressman, Transogram, and Whitman, all very prolific, don’t generate that much excitement among collectors, but each company produced some games of exceptional design and quality. Collectors of games from the early and mid twentieth century can look also for companies such as: Cadaco and Cadaco-Ellis, Einson-Freeman, Saml. Gabriel Sons, Theodore Presser, Russell, Saalfield, Peter Thompson, Toy Creations, Transogram and others.
After World War II, the key names (in addition to some mentioned above) were Lowell, Ideal, Gardner and 3M/Avalon Hill. Also Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Pressman, Selchow & Righter and Transogram, were the key companies from the 1950s on, but those who collect the more modern games are usually more interested in the game’s character, title or theme than in the company that made the game.
Game-players look for games by Avalon Hill, SPI, 3M, TSR, and a host of smaller companies. Many military simulation games now out of print command a high price.
Themes.
Whereas collectors of 19th century games are most interested in the box art–the graphic design and illustrations–collectors of post-war games are generally more concerned with the theme or licensed character. There is considerable interest in games based on cartoons and comic characters; on famous personalities of show business, sports, and politics; on shows from television (and their stars), especially TV westerns, games from prime time, and Hanna-Barbera Saturday mornings. Other popular themes are advertising, aviation (airships from dirigibles and biplanes to Pan Am), ethnic characters (especially Blacks), fire-fighting, fortune telling, military (soldiers/battles), movies, monsters, mystery, science fiction, space travel (especially rockets), and western (cowboys/Indians). Sports games, most notably baseball, are prized when they depict actual sports figures. Transportation games (chiefly automobiles, motorcycles, trolleys, and bicycles) are always on the move, the subject of fast buying and selling. Hot cross-collectibles include Santa Claus, Disney, Brownies, Wizard of Oz and Worlds Fair.
Some themes, in general, are not very popular, except to those specializing in them. Games many collectors avoid include: religious games, geography and map games, math games, games aimed at young children, games featuring lesser known radio personalities or silent film stars, games based on quiz shows (unless hosted by famous personalities), with the exception of MASQUERADE PARTY (which features well-known celebrities).
Values.
The value of a collectible game depends on a mix of different factors: age, graphics (illustrations), condition, theme, manufacturing company, components, scarcity, size, box or board construction (wood, metal, paper), method of play, and type of game (board game, card game, etc.). Values can range from $5 for a 1904 PIT, to $800-$1200 for McLoughlin’s game of DEPARTMENT STORE, to tens of thousands for an original Darrow oilcloth MONOPOLY.
What else collectors look for:
GRAPHICS: Most collectors of games from before WWII are interested primarily in the illustrations and the artistry on the game box and, to some extent, on the gameboard or cards. Attention to detail, stylistic renderings (as found on art deco covers, for example), and color all enhance a game’s appeal.
AGE: With all else being equal, the older the game, the more it is of interest. But major theme games, such as war games from the 1940s, and character collectible games and television games of the 1960s create far more interest among collectors than “generic” items from the first half of the 1900s. Because of the illustrations, art deco games from the 1930s may be more sought after than games from earlier in the century. And TV games from the ‘60s and ‘70s are generally more treasured than those from the ’50s–collecting is “generational,” and new, younger collectors are interested in more recent things.
TYPE: Board games are generally more valuable than card games. Skill & action, or dexterity, games may be less desirable than comparable board games from the same period; however, if they’re early enough, paper litho-on-wood games, games that have marbles, and target games may be worth more. The value of a skill and action game depends primarily on its complexity, material, and age. Combination games–compendiums that offer more than one game in a box–are not highly valued; often, many patterns were drawn on one game board so that various games could be played on the same board, and the resulting graphics are unappealing.
SIZE: Usually, the bigger the better–until you get into some of the huge, boxed sports games from the 1980s that are just too big.
PLAYABILITY: We sometimes forget that games were made to be played. People who collect games for playability have little concern for most of the other factors (except completeness and condition). Some collectors are players of abstract strategy games, others are interested in role playing and simulation games, including military re-enactments. Some very popular playing games, such as MONOPOLY, PARCHEESI, and SCRABBLE, are not at all collectible (excepting certain editions) because they’re so commonplace.
RARITY: Rarity is important only with respect to games by major companies. A scarce McLoughlin or a rare Avalon Hill is bound to generate more interest among collectors than a game no one has seen from a company no one has ever heard of.
OTHER FACTORS: Collectors are interested also in the condition of the game, in the type of implements (including the material: paper, wood, bone), in the style and construction of the box and the gameboard. Even the title of a game may affect its desirability–knowing nothing else about them save the title, would you rather own an 1850s game called DR. BUSBY, or an 1858 game called TRAVELS AND SOJOURNS OF ICHABOD SOLO ESQUIRE AMONG THE PEE-WEE INDIANS”?
Collecting games offers the enthusiast a chance to possess a piece of this country’s history, art, and culture, an opportunity to get a glimpse of the way Americans lived, learned, and relished leisure and an occasion to play.
Finding Games
Choice Pickings
Ever wonder how collectors who never venture out wind up with so much stuff? They use pickers (called “runners” in England), people who shop the antique shows and find the goodies for them. Candy Clark, one of the lovliest pickers we know, has started finding games for a few, select, advanced collectors. An Academy Award nominee for “American Grafitti,” she has starred in numerous films since then, including David Bowie’s, “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” Acting is still her passion, but she loves antiquing. Candy collects linen and textiles and fashions her own clothing.
Candy Clark with Bruce Whitehill
