Q: When we bought our house in 1981, we found an unopened Monopoly game in the basement. The plastic wrapping is yellowed but basically intact, and the box is unopened. The front of the box lists copyright dates 1935, 1946 and 1961. Are there any collectors who would be interested in this? Should it be kept intact, or should it be opened and the pieces sold separately?
A: Millions of copies of Monopoly have been made since Parker Brothers bought the rights to the game in 1935. About 25,000 games were made that year, but over a million copies a year were being made by the 1950s. The game is similar to the Landlord's Game, patented by Elizabeth Magie in 1904. Other similar games were made, but Charles Darrow became the first to copyright Monopoly, his version of the game, in 1933. Parker Brothers bought the rights to the game from Darrow in 1935 and made some changes to it. Games made before 1955 sell for more than later editions because fewer were made. Games with the 1961 copyright date sell for about $20 to $30. Still wrapped and unused adds about $10. During World War II, a special version of Monopoly with a map, compass and small tools hidden in it was devised by the British secret service to help their airmen escape from German prisoner of war camps. The games were delivered by humanitarian aid groups who were allowed to deliver care packages to the prisoners.
Write to: The Kovels, c/o King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. The website is kovels.com.
current prices
Prices are from shows nationwide.
Octant, ebony frame, brass hardware, inlaid scale and marker plate, stepped case, signed Whyte Glasgow, 11 1/4 by 9 3/4 inches, $280.
Secretary, William and Mary style, walnut, two paneled doors, broken arch pediment over three long gradated drawers, 92 by 47 inches, $1,200.
Bookcase, two-piece, carved, figural frieze, rosettes, baskets, upper glass panel door, lower case has carved drawer over door, 85 by 35 inches, $1,280.
Sevres urn, blindfolded woman, man in purple coat, reclining children, stone steps, walls, trees, signed A. Maglin, 27 by 14 inches, $2,375.
