Pretty marquetry and cork chess and backgammon game. France, 1950s

This vintage French game dates from the 1950s and has clearly seen some use over the years, indeed it may well have been a 'Bistrot' game, one that café owners kept for regular clients to play on. The green cork playing surface is in good condition for its age, with just some wear from thousands of games played. Cork playing surfaces are quite rare - and offer a quiet but robust playing experience. Cork is extremely resistant and will serve you well over decades to come. This is a mid-size, French walnut board measuring 22" X 17" (55 cm X 44 cm) open. The brass hinges are in excellent condition and the external marquetry (inlaid wood) chess or English drafts board is also in excellent condition, with a particularly beautiful highly polished finish, and with handsome marquetry decorative strips. (If you are interested in chess pieces to match this game, please see 'CHESS PIECES' further down on this page). Overall this game is in good condition and has been well looked after over its 90-year lifetime. It would suit someone who is looking for a vintage object with a real history - but in good condition. The olivewood playing pieces measure 1 1/2” (4 cms) diameter and have a wonderful patina (see photos) as do the two hand-stiched leather dice cups. The game comes complete with two pairs of tasteful modern 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, 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 140+ 5-star reviews 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.