Handsome leather Lancel (Paris) travelling backgammon game from the 1980s

A rare, hand-made leather travelling backgammon game from the house of Lancel in Paris. Lancel, founded in 1876 by Angèle and Alphonse Lancel, is famous for its elegant leather luggage and accessories. Probably dating from the 1980s, this is a wooden-framed game with a beautiful tan full-grain leather exterior, and a matching leather playing surface with inlaid black and white leather 'points'. The game shows practically no signs of wear - and is in almost-new condition. It comes complete with its key and leather key fob - as well as a clever leather-covered storage box for the playing pieces (or 'stones') and dice, that ensures that the pieces do not damage the playing surface whilst travelling. Vintage travelling backgammon games such as this are quite unusual and are almost always heavily worn. It is rare to find one in such fine condition. This game will appeal to a backgammon player with a sense of beauty, history, and ... well, travel. Born in 'The ‘80s', who knows what adventures this game has been on ? A round-the-world trip perhaps. What a sense of history it carries with it. Dimensions (game open) : W 35 cms (14"), H 25 cms (10"). It is light and very practical to carry around - yet remarkably robust and well built. The acrylic playing pieces are 2 cm (1/2") diameter.

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, Scotland, the Balearic Islands, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco, England, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, 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 100+ 5-star reviews here on Etsy I will happily provide written, and verifiable, references from 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 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 and some other European countries my shipper normally delivers to a 'collection point' (Relay Point) close to your home. For other EU countries and the rest of the world, 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.