How much are vintage board games worth? Clive, Sussex, UK
The value of vintage board games depends on a number of factors, including age, rarity, condition, and, of course, desirability.
But to give you a rough guide, pre- second world war editions of the globe's most popular board game, Monopoly, can achieve more than £100 if presented in superb condition.
Similar games which predate Monopoly, first produced in 1935, can make substantially more. The Landlord's Game, first made in 1903, can surpass £50,000.
In these days of all action video games, turn of the 20th century sets, often hand made on cloth, are incredibly appealing items, thanks to their beautiful simplicity, and the care taken with their design - the nostalgia factor is booming across the collectibles market. These will hold their value well over the long term, regardless of the game's title.
For post- second world war games the situation becomes trickier, with collectors forced to study the market carefully to spot the trends with particular games.
Post-war examples that routinely sell for three figures at auction include Merry Milkman from the 1950s, Creature from the Black Lagoon from the early 1960s, as well as the 1980s Blade Runner game.
One last word on Monopoly. It is best to stay clear of post-war limited editions, which despite their name, were produced in sufficiently large numbers to ensure that supply comfortably outstrips demand on the secondary market.
