American Game Boards

This enchanting mid-20th century American Folk Art chess board is a true testament to naive and outsider craftsmanship and creativity. Hand-crafted with meticulous care, the board fe...

This 19th-century American folk art game board is a quintessential example of the ingenuity and aesthetic appeal found in traditional American crafts. Composed of alternating walnut ...

This very colorful pin wheel design wooden raffle drum is constructed in two pieces. The rectangular round drum holds the tickets and contains a metal handle and a latch on a door to access the lottery tickets...

This unique Églomisé checkerboard with a wooden frame is surrounded by 1920s advertising from Middletown, Connecticut. "Églomisé is a French term me...

Very early American wooden games board; probably the oldest I have handled, this dates to about circa 1835 and exhibits the markings of a typical cottage industry type manufacture (not unlike very early Noah's Arks). Obviously entirely hand crafted; measurements are not exactly square (left to right; top to bottom), probably made of a local soft wood, and hand painted with squares not perfectly delineated. Black light and "loop" inspection reveals age crazing and original paint that, in conjunction with original wear and no attempt to touch up, dates it to the early 19th century. Most definitely American, as the last thing an English immigrant would have brought to America at that time would have been a game. When closed, or in the folding position, the board game simulates and is made to look like two books resting side by side (see images), and thusly, was made to sit on a book shelf, either horizontally or vertically; and to be pulled out to play games when desired, which would have been either the game of checkers (draughts), chess, or backgammon. The board opens up to a two sided game option. On one side is the proverbial 64 square (English/ American version) of chess or checkers; and on the other side is a backgammon board. Both sides are hand painted in gold and black, with a rust colored border around the checkerboard. The interior backgammon play area is also black and gold with the same color rust area to the central part. Nail hinges in the center frame, pivot the two sides to open, while a leather covering borders the edge trim, which is 50% lacking on the hinge side. I state the condition to be good, considering it's age, it's use, and the fact that it is still very "usable" and, if taken care of, will probably continue to be so for nearly another 200 years! The checkers, (12) black pieces and (12) yellow (the correct numbers) are hand carved in wood and hand painted. The backgammon pieces (stored in period wooden box) contain 14 yellow hand painted and carved pieces and (13) black ones. (15) of each color are used to play backgammon (simply use the checkers, which are just about the same size (see images) to make up the difference. Most antique game boards...

Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided. Antique Carrom Company 1907 wood game board double sided, made in USA. Each corner of the boar...

Lovely set of colorful early 1900's lithographed five block set of alphabet nesting blocks; used as both an educational item as well as toy/game amuseme...

Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided no. 1 Archarena Style (E). Antique Carrom Company 1907 Wood Game Board Double Sided, made in USA...

19th Chinese checkers game board with original paint form Pennsylvania. beautiful colors and patina.

19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...

19th C original painted checkerboard game board.

This mariner compass marble game board is in amazing condition and is all completely original. It has the original label on the reverse and was manufactured in Bridgeport, Conn. and ...

19th C original painted checkerboard game board. Board has great Grungy paint. Great Pitina.

19th C Original painted checkerboard.

Original painted game board - signed and Dated 1935.

Unique Folk Art chess / checker board composed of a handmade, burgundy velvet quilt with beige, white and gold stitched accents, all housed within a glass-fronted oak frame (ca. 1910...

Early Corona beer man cave or restaurant porcelain advertising sign. As found.

Authentic Scrimshaw carved into and antique tortoise shell with brass legs. Carved aboard the Ship Argonaut. A whaling ship from Sag Harbor New York from 1814-1832. The detailed carv...

This is like a flat board pin ball machine game. This marble game board is in fantastic condition. Minor wear consistent with age and use. Signed by t...

Polychrome double sided game board. The parcheesi board is painted with six colors, including a crimson red background and yellow dividing line...