Even though I am not a gamer, I recently came across an exquisite vintage Mah Jong set that had long been in storage (second picture below). I was expecting there to be collectible market for these old sets on eBay, but was surprised not only by the volume and quality of Vintage sets, especially out of China (a cautionary note about Chinese items follows below), but also that there weren’t more detailed guides. So here is the result of what I have researched to add to the collecting art of the vintage Mah Jong game sets...

      
       There are a minimum of 136 tiles in a complete vintage set, more commonly 144 in vintage Japanese sets, and 152 or more in sets originating from America or China. There are more than 10 major variations, and countless other individual refinements of Mah Jong in China, Japan, Korea, U.S., Australia and Europe. Players often observe one version – and either doesn’t know other variations or claim that different versions are incorrect!

   Vintage Pre-War Chinese and Japanese Mah Jong tiles were often handmade dovetail and carved of bone and backed with bamboo or the occasional hard wood. The original vintage American sets from the 1920`s and into the 60`s were often made from Bakelite, celluloid, or colorful catalin plastics. Those sets specifically made for the domestic U.S. market or Chinese exports, are instantly distinguished by Roman numerals and lettering on the upper right or left hand corners. (Cautionary note: many `vintage` sets coming out of China need to be treated with caution as many are suspect, especially from new sellers, neither vintage nor of the material claimed).

  Post 1970 sets are made from modern synthetic plastics and most recently - nylon. On the rare occasion, exquisite sets made with Ivory (not found on eBay where Ivory sale is prohibited) Agate, Jade, Porcelain, Praline or French Ivory are becoming more collectable and scarce. Most sets sold as ivory may in fact be made from bone. Regardless of the material used to construct the tiles, the symbols on them are almost always engraved, embossed or pressed into the material.

 
 Vintage Mah Jong sets include chips, pons, or tiles for scoring, as well as indicators denoting the dealer and the prevailing wind of the round. *(For a detailed reference of Mah Jong Terminology see my link at the bottom of this guide). Vintage sets may also include wood; catalin or Bakelite racks to hold tiles or chips, although in many sets the tiles are designed to stand on their own. Besides the standard Mah Jong game and their wide variations, several other old or modern games can be played with Mah Jong tiles on any even surface provided, and many more can be played with little modification.   

   The more collectable of the modern Mah Jong sets from the early 1980`s to the present will be found here in Japan where the game is still played professionally, and where the quality required of the gamer set far exceeds that of the recreational user. Some expert players in Japan can even determine the face value of their tiles just by feeling the engravings with their fingers!

 
   
   The joy of winning and the glory of collecting the right tiles even when you start with a bad hand have fueled the game's popularity since it was brought to the U.S. and Japan from China in the 1920`s.  As a dedicated group of enthusiatists promote the game worldwide, so to the collecting and investment value of fine vintage Mah Jong sets continues to grow, even in the down turning markets for other vintage gaming collections. Why? Hand made dove-tailed Mah Jong tiles are a long lost art. While there seems to be a lot on auction now, when these vintage sets are gone or damaged beyond repair, they are lost forever. Few more Mah Jong sets in good, original condition will likely be found in attics and storage around the world. Those lucky few collectors who do find and recognize the qualities of the Pre 1970, Ivory, Bone, Lucite, Catalin, French Ivory, Celluloid, and Bakelite sets hold this vanishing legacy in their hands for future generations to come.


*For a detailed Glossary of Mah Jong terminology visit: http://mahjong.wikidot.com/glossary/