French café backgammon game from the 1950s

This board dates from the 1950s when backgammon was all the rage in France - and every self-respecting café or bistro kept a board for its regular customers to play on. This board is in extraordinary condition considering it is one of those 'café boards'. This game would make a terrific present for someone learning the delights of backgammon. It is a board charged with history, but which is still in quite remarkable condition. This is a mid-size, solid French walnut board measuring 22" X 17 1/2" (56 cms X 44 cms) open. The exterior is a beautiful burgundy coloured English draughts or checkers board. (I usually have a number of antique and vintage checkers sets in stock, sized to fit my boards, which I can add to this game. If bought together I will waive the addition shipping fees. Please message me for more details). The baize playing surface inside is in near perfect condition, and the game is in excellent overall condition, with just some light scuffing on the exterior (visible in the photos). The beech-wood playing pieces, which are original to the game, are 1 1/2” (4 cms) diameter. The set is complete with it's original, hand-sewn leather dice shakers which have most unusual red interiors, and are in very good condition. The game comes with two sets of contemporary dice.

Since I started restoring antique and vintage backgammon boards during the Covid lockdown in early 2020 I’ve sold over 500 of my games to connoisseurs in South Africa, Sweden, Hong Kong, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco, Mauritius, England, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and of course my home-country, France ... but also in New York, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Alabama, Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Washington state, New Hampshire, Idaho, Wyoming, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, California, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maryland, Georgia, Alaska and Puerto Rico. My clients include minor European royalty; national and international backgammon champions; people who can’t play backgammon; British, Austrian, Italian and French aristocracy … and an awful lot of people who just love to play backgammon on these beautiful, historically-charged boards. In addition to the 150+ verified 5-star reviews here on my site, I will happily provide you with contact details for some of my private clients if you so wish.

NOTA : I usually have a variety of vintage instruction / rules booklets, for backgammon and jacquet, in French or English - please ask if you would like me to include one, free of charge, with your game. CHESS PIECES : I do not keep a stock of matching chess pieces to go with my backgammon boards - but I know someone who does ! If you are interested in vintage or antique chess pieces to match your board I will happily introduce you to a friend, who is also based in Europe. He is to antique chess pieces - what I am to antique backgammon. Please feel free to send me a message and I'll be happy to put you in touch directly. DELIVERY : Please note that within France, Belgium, Spain, Germany and some other European countries my usual shipper is Mondial Relay which normally delivers to a 'collection point' (Relay Point) close to your home. For the rest of the world, I generally use FedEx, and the norm is home delivery. I can offer expedited delivery to most destinations. If you don't see this option please message me and I'll give you a rapid quote. INSURANCE : Please note that I do not automatically insure my boards for shipping above the 50€ minimum international cover. My shipper is highly reliable and I very rarely have issues, but accidents can always happen. If you would like me to insure your purchase to its full value there will be a small charge. Please let me know by message and I will set this up.