Mahjongg
Vintage Bakelite Mahjong Complete Game, 154 Bakelite Tiles & 5 Bakelite Racks Exclusive ES Lowe Making U.S.A. 1960s
-
DetailsThis listing is for a vintage Bakelite mahjong complete set per 1967-1968 official STANDARD HANDS AND RULES. This set comes with 154 Butterscotch Bakelite tiles, including accessories of five Bakelite/Catalin racks with Bakelite & metal brass screwed in end, 1 mahogany timber pusher/ helping hand), 70 vintage plastic playing coins, a pair of butterscotch Bakelite dice, 1 bakelite direction indicator(bettor) with five betting positions (E (east symbol ).
1 National Mah Jong League booklet, a vintage case with two trays & 2 keys .
Brief history:
The love of Crisloid Bakelite games,I keep an ongoing researches,found out that In 1937, a number of Mah Jongg enthusiasts met in New York City to standardize the game so that all Mah Jongg players would play the same hands and rules-it was at this meeting that the National Mah Jongg League was founded. Each year the League changes the hands and rules to add more excitement to the game.
In this listing, the mahjong set was exclusively for E.S. Lowe making 1960s as shown in the corner inside the case in first photo, & 1967-1968 League changes the hands and rules, based on 10 flowers & 6 Jokers (in the listing set has 10 tiles are carved flowers numbered 1..5 in black and 1..5 in red & 8 tiles with joker stickers)
Mahjong AKA Mah Jong, Mahjongg, or Mah Jongg has been thought to have derived from Chinese card games of the 12th century. The four-person game we know today, developed in China in the middle of the 19th century. By the early 1900s, Mahjong was a craze in the United States, too. Its popularity continued into the 1950s, waned somewhat in the second half of the 20th century, and surged again in the 1990s after the publication and film version of Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.”
In American Mahjong:
Each player sits down at their respective position in even spaces of 4 persons (player). Betting numbers relative to the dealer.
Each player rolls similar two dices in this listing, player with the highest number deals (dealer -E (ast) position),to the right of the dealer, seat 1, across from the dealer seat 2 & left of the dealer seat 3. Players do not share / disclose hand information.
The bettor is the fifth person,who does not play, only monitoring the players’ drawings/discarding tiles etc, using similar direction indicator ,similar to this listing, indicating which player will probably win (either dealer(E), player in seat 1, player in seat 2 or player in seat 3. If bettor feels none of the four plays has an advantage, he or she then can select 4 or wall game ( meaning the hand ends when the wall (like deck of card) is exhausted the hand ends without winner.
This set has 154, Per American game (1967-1968 official STANDARD HANDS AND RULES) with :
In 2nd& 3rd photos:
in red rack & yellow rack :
The DOTS suits/36 tiles
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 1” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 2” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 3” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 4” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 5” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 6” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 7” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 8” x 4
“MAHJONG CIRCLE TILE 9” x 4
,
In green rack:
10 Flowers & 8 Jokers:
( 2 floral tiles of red 1 & black 1 , 2 floral tiles of red 2 & black 2 , 2 floral tiles of red 3 & black 3, 2 floral tiles of red 4 & black 4, 2 floral tiles of red 5 & black 5,
8 tiles topped with joker sticker
The floral tiles with red 1,2,3.4 are also
Season tiles, for example: red 1 floral tile is spring, red 2 floral tile is summer, red 3 floral tile is autumn,red 4 floral tile is winter.
In forest green rack: 4 white dragons (soaps) , 4 green dragons & 4 red dragons
In gray rack: 16 Prevailing / Wind tiles ( 4 N(orth), 4 S(outhouse, 4 E(ast)), 4 W(est)
In 4th & 5th photos:
In red rack, yellow rack:
The CRACKS suits/36 tiles:
“MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 1”x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 2” x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 3” x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 4” x 4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 5”x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 6”x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 7”x 4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 8”x4
”MAHJONG CHARACTER TILE 9”x4
In green rack, forest green rack,gray rack:
BAMS suits /36 tiles:
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 1- BIRD ”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 2- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 3- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 4- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 5- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 6- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 7- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 8- STICK”x4
“MAHJONG BAMBOO TILE 9- STICK”x4
Approximately Dimension:
Direction indicator/ Bettor disk : 1 3/8” diameter
Each tile: L1 1/4x W3/4”xD3/8”
Each dice: 1/2”
Each rack :16”
Each stopper: 2 1/2” long & 1 1/8” widest
Metal betting chips holder each: 2 1/4” diameter
Total Dimension of each rack :L18 1/2” xW2 1/2xD1”
Each Betting chip: 7/8” diameter
Case: L191/4” x W9”xD3 1/8”
Each tray: L18 3/4” x W3 1/4” x D1 1/4”
Pusher/ back scratcher: 15-3/4” long and 1 1/2” at widest
The Catalin/ Bakelite racks & Bakelite rack end stoppers are also in vivid colors :
1 in gray Bakelite rack, with Bakelite butterscotch end & metal brass betting coins holders screwed in.
1 in forest green Bakelite rack, with Bakelite butterscotch end & metal brass betting coins holders screwed in.
1 in green Bakelite rack, with Bakelite wine red end & metal brass betting coins holders screwed in.
1 in butterscotch Bakelite rack, with Bakelite wine red end & metal brass betting coins holders screwed in.
1 in red Bakelite rack, with Bakelite red end & metal brass betting coins holders screwed in.
materials:
Case: wood,vinyl paper , feet & latches & locks & keys in metal brass , also Bakelite in handle as shown in photos 1, 8,9 &10, lined with felt liked fabric inside as seen in photos 1
Latches,Locks and keys are metal brass
Tiles ,racks & partial ends, direction indicator disk( bettor) : Bakelite/Catalin - scratch resistant ,vivid colors changing slowly into butterscotch after age & years passes.However, Bakelite is hard & fragile.
This set has been handled/played with care, they will look vivid colors,as scratch free for many years down the road.
Hand made helping hand / pusher was made by me from Cambodian Mahogany timber up-cycled, shown in first photo,laying on the inside siding case
Condition:
Case has shown sign of aging,especially corners & blot of stains as shown in photos 2,3, 8,9 and 4 bottom feet as shown in photos 10.
Beside dark patches of dirt blotted & aging feet, overall looks excellent antique condition, perfectly functional as designed with working latches.
Tiles ,racks & direction indicator disk( bettor) In excellent vivid colors with minimal scratches if look up close with bright light. No breaks or even hairline
All tiles are in excellent aging Bakelite condition-engraved vivid colors in red ,green or black on top of butterscotch Bakelite.
Metal betting chip holder at end of racks has sign of aged / used condition
Pusher was upcycled from Cambodian luxury broom - mahogany timber, as helping hand in hard to reach itchy back
As a whole, After years of game play & ages, minimal normal vintage wear on game and accessories.
Overall, this collectible vintage Bakelite MAHJONG complete game set in very good vintage antique condition, everything you need for pleasure either thoughtful gift giving to militarily/Chinese Game participation friends and family members, community gathering or treat yourself with collectible Bakelite game set with the collectible value only goes up.
Bakelite or crisloid tiles/chips are also popular with up cycles into jewelry pieces or business cards holders.
The up cycled pusher was created to use as mahjong wall pusher or scratch hard to reach itching back.
This MAHJONG set was circulated in the 1960s, inevitably,it may have normal environmental / used wears
spotted / blemished soil/dust, or even original intended imperfections; I may not interpret/critique the condition according to others’ expectation.
I am asking all, Please consider all photos & video provide a crucial part of the description, saving me from cancellation transaction fee, return transaction fee and expensive shipping cost.
I am happy to provide additional photos per specific request,and address any concerns prior to purchase.
With that said, I understand that,sometimes, returning is inevitable, when purchasing for gift or by accident , I accept the cancellation or return in this case.
For return, I am asking the customer to pay for return shipping cost .
Overall, my goal is to meet my customer’s satisfaction regardless.
The listed price,including the cost of packing materials, so that individual easily breaking and fragile item is well wrapped,extra protection from breaking while in transit via USPS priority with tracking and insurance for the total value of purchased price.
ALASKAN and HAWAIIAN shoppers please contact me before purchase for accurate postal quote.
About Me:
My parents,brothers and sisters escaped from Cambodia ,sought rescue in Refugee camp in Thailand near Cambodian border 1979, while Khmer rouge resistances still fought with Vietnamese-Cambodian coalitions. On November, 1980, my whole family was brought to the United States by Lutheran Church. We had nothing started out. I helped with making ends meet during my high school
years, by cleaning the houses of elderly Methodist and Lutheran church members.I was given used stuffs to bring home.
In college, I worked for Antiques colleges mall. That was when I fell in love with antiques or Vintages . Even after making good income as software developer, I still do treasure hunting at Goodwills,salvation army,yard sale,auction ,antique shops, estate sales etc
Thanks to Etsy, and every customer, I make room, still able to continue my vintage thrifty passion after taking time off from Information Technology career.
I am very grateful for everyone browse my BunthyVintageRetro Etsy shop. It is such a pleasure whenever my creation or collectibles catches someone’s interest, and greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve with the purchasing transaction.
Many thanks in advance for browsing my Etsy shop, Bunthy -
Shipping & Policies
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-3 business days
Estimated shipping times
- North America : 1 - 3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns and cancellations
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Related Products
