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Games - General

Games are one of the oldest forms of social interaction on earth. Games of all sorts date back to ancient times. The oldest complete game set ever found is called the "Royal Game of Ur," which dates back to 3000 BC. Also called the "Game of Twenty Squares," it was a race game played with pawns and dice. Other early games include Senet, played in Egypt around 3100 BC and an early predecessor of Backgammon, played in what is now Iran around 3000 BC.

More recently, the first commercial board games were produced in the 1700s and early 1800s. These games were often designed to teach an educational or moral topic. By the later 1800s, they were evolving into modern board games, including "The Checkered Game of Life" first produced by Milton Bradley in 1860, Parcheesi copy written in the United States by E.G. Selchow & Co. in 1869, and "The Landlord's Game," patented in 1904, which was the inspiration for the game of Monopoly.

Game collectors are attracted to the colorful board and boxes and interesting game pieces of vintage games. Hand painted or lithographed game boards are the attraction for antique games from the 1800s. Collectors of Monopoly games often look for the early metal game pieces. Some collectors search for games that they played as children.


Quick Facts

  • "The Checkered Game of Life" mentioned above started out as a morality game where success was dependent on good deeds and reaching "Happy Old Age." The game was revised in the 1960s to reflect modern times and was renamed "The Game of Life"
  • Game collectors usually refer to a game as "antique" when it has been in publication for 60 or more years
  • A 1967 BAMCO game called Be A Manager recently sold for $1500. The game was based on major league baseball

Recommended Items at Auction

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(10) 1989 Nintendo Series A Collector Pins
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
(10) 1989 Nintendo Series A Collector Pins
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$2713 Bids
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(9) 1989 Nintendo Series A Collector Pins, including Collector Pin Set
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
(9) 1989 Nintendo Series A Collector Pins, including Collector Pin Set
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$3213 Bids
Over 300 POKEMON Cards Collection - READ BELOW
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Over 300 POKEMON Cards Collection - READ BELOW
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$458 Bids
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Lot of Green Mana Magic The Gathering Cards
Feb 21, 5:30 PM CST
Lot of Green Mana Magic The Gathering Cards
by Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC
Est: $50- $100
$427 Bids
600+ Magic the Gathering Card Collection - READ BELOW
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
600+ Magic the Gathering Card Collection - READ BELOW
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$357 Bids
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Lot of Magic The Gathering Cards
Feb 21, 5:30 PM CST
Lot of Magic The Gathering Cards
by Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC
Est: $50- $100
$236 Bids
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Mad Catz Marvel vs Capcom Arcade Fightstick Tournament Edition Model 4738 for XBox 360
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
Mad Catz Marvel vs Capcom Arcade Fightstick Tournament Edition Model 4738 for XBox 360
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$136 Bids
Rare Set of GOLD Plated POKEMON Cards in Original Box
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Rare Set of GOLD Plated POKEMON Cards in Original Box
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$356 Bids
Microsoft Xbox One S Console Model 1681
Feb 16, 10:00 AM MST
Microsoft Xbox One S Console Model 1681
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$255 Bids
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Franklin Mint 3D Deluxe Collector’s Edition Clue Game RARE
Feb 25, 6:00 PM EST
Franklin Mint 3D Deluxe Collector’s Edition Clue Game RARE
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$325 Bids
Sealed Box Risque Japanese Anime Hentai Trading Card Packs
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Sealed Box Risque Japanese Anime Hentai Trading Card Packs
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$94 Bids
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1992 Pressman Marvel Comics The Uncanny X-Men Adventure Game
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
1992 Pressman Marvel Comics The Uncanny X-Men Adventure Game
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$214 Bids
Antique 1920’s Crack Shot Shooting Game Tin Target Bullseye TIN TOY USA
Feb 17, 5:00 PM EST
Antique 1920’s Crack Shot Shooting Game Tin Target Bullseye TIN TOY USA
by One Source Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$304 Bids
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Group of 2 Monopoly Boards and More
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Group of 2 Monopoly Boards and More
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$354 Bids
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Royal Brand Mahjong Set with Catalin Tiles in Original Box
Feb 16, 2:00 PM EST
Royal Brand Mahjong Set with Catalin Tiles in Original Box
by Lion and Unicorn
Est: $10- $200
$304 Bids
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(4) SEGA Dreamcast Controllers
Feb 18, 6:00 PM EST
(4) SEGA Dreamcast Controllers
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$163 Bids
Rare Set of SILVER Plated POKEMON Cards in Original Box
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Rare Set of SILVER Plated POKEMON Cards in Original Box
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$123 Bids
12 RARE Dealer TEST Original 1986 WACKY PACKAGES
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
12 RARE Dealer TEST Original 1986 WACKY PACKAGES
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$122 Bids
12 RARE Dealer TEST Original 1986 WACKY PACKAGES
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
12 RARE Dealer TEST Original 1986 WACKY PACKAGES
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$122 Bids
Lot of 50+ POKEMON Cosplay Plastic Coated Metallic Cards
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
Lot of 50+ POKEMON Cosplay Plastic Coated Metallic Cards
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$92 Bids
12 Rare POKEMON Limited Edition Silver Foil Bills with Holding Pouch
Feb 21, 10:30 AM EST
12 Rare POKEMON Limited Edition Silver Foil Bills with Holding Pouch
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$122 Bids
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Lot of YuGiOh Trading Cards by Konami
Feb 21, 5:30 PM CST
Lot of YuGiOh Trading Cards by Konami
by Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC
Est: $25- $50
$112 Bids
A vintage Chad Valley Mah Jongg set and another board game, “Salta”.
Feb 20, 7:00 PM AEDT
A vintage Chad Valley Mah Jongg set and another board game, “Salta”.
by Bargain Hunt Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD252 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Games - General


Figlio Designs LLC

Figlio Designs LLC

Cadmore Auctions

Cadmore Auctions

Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC

Hampton's Auction, Collectibles, & Retail, LLC