By Anne Gilbert
Cribbage has been a favorite game since it was invented in the 1600s by Sir John Suckling. For several decades Cribbage boards have found serious collectors. The game reached its peak of popularity in the 1970s. It was considered trendy to replace expensive chess sets with an even more expensive Cribbage board. Even those who didn’t play the game became interested in the look of it. A new collecting category was born. It is referred to as “pegging.”
It is their variety of design and materials that makes them so appealing. They may be made of everything from ivory and woods to paper and cast iron. Shapes are also varied, from a scrimshaw ivory tusk to a vintage automobile. Since there are few boards outside of museums, dating earlier than the late 19th century, the term “antique” for collectors can be stretched to “vintage” and up to the 1960s. Categorized as “ordinary” boards, are the most interesting or rare boards from the 1940s thru the 1960s. After that they are considered contemporary. However, don’t forget the beautiful boards made in the 1970s. They can be judged on their individual merit as “collectible.”
Considered choice are inlaid English boards. Consisting of hundreds of tiny inlaid pieces they often form different types of scenes.
Collectors of advertising memorabilia compete with Cribbage board collectors for the various advertising motif boards; especially Coca Cola. They were made mostly before 1940.
Rare are the boards made as presentation pieces. I cherish the board presented to my late uncle, a Captain in the navy, by the New York Yacht Club. It is made of two kinds of wood and has an inlaid silver plaque with his name and inscription. Silver bullets form the scoring pins.
If a famous person owned the board that adds to the value.
Another type of board from the early 20th century was the push-down and pull-up. They were used in tournaments and to possibly keep score for other games. They were different, in that, permanent pegs were attached to the board. There were several types that were made of wood and metal.
Commemorative boards , made for a specific historic event, such as the Chicago Worlds fair in the 1930s or the end of World War 1 or the first Olympic game, are eagerly sought by collectors.
CLUES: The most attractive boards aren’t necessarily the most valuable. For instance, Bakelite and Celluloid. The Celluloid boards date to the mid 19th century. Interest in all things Bakelite, made in the 1920s, and Art Deco stylized designs, adds to the value.
In the case of boards made during the 40s and 50s, the Modernism look is what determines the value.
There is so much to be learned and discoveries yet to be made. For more information contact The Cribbage Board Collectors Society, on the internet. It was founded by collector Betty Bemis in 1991. She has also authored a book “Cribbage Boards” published by Shiffer in 1998.
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