Featured Mahjong

Here we are. For some stupid reason the images wouldn't upload...

 

2 "new" sets







(@Shangas ) There are differences between the numbers and letters (some have an underscore, others don't, and some are written ni black others in blue). Where these added at a later stage by a western owner? And, if so, can these be easily removed without damaging the stone?
And most of the stones are dirty. Should I clean them? And, if so, how, without damaging the the stone and the images?

 

Lovely set.

If the additions are just sitting on the surface, then most likely added in later. Numbers and letters added in when the set was made, would've been engraved in.

If the numbers etc are just written on top, they can be safely wiped / scraped off.

Note that the paint on these sets is usually water soluble. If paint wash occurs, I usually repaint with acrylics.

 

Next:

 

I only saw this reply now!
Thanks!

 

And here's a new old set that arrived this week (not the latest addition, as another one got in today )




French set, with ebonite (sounds better than hard rubber ) tiles.

 

And here's the latest one, also French.




Bought the set together with these racks

And this box with counting sticks

 

Nice set..
nice racks !!!

 

As I may have mentioned before in this thread:

One of the hardest things to do with antique mahjong sets is to STORE THEM. This is because the cases and boxes used to store and transport mahjong sets were often of far lesser build-quality than the sets themselves.

They're often just made of cardboard or plastic, or vinyl, and they rip, tear, crack, split, and break apart.

Wooden cases or boxes shrink, split, break at the seams, etc.

It doesn't help that mahjong sets are, relatively heavy items. And once that box or case breaks apart, finding a new storage solution for them is damn near impossible!! You end up putting the tiles into a shoebox or something...

Anyway - here's some good news - I found a five-drawer cabinet which was the perfect home for one of my antique sets which did not have a box to go with it, when I purchased it!

It even has the carry-handle on top, and the sliding door over the front. The tiles fit inside almost perfect. No ideally, but almost...

 

That looks like a great solution! I was just re-reading this thread and wondering how these could be stored.

 

With mahjong sets, especially older ones, the case is almost always the first thing to go, unless it's a super-duper-high-quality set.

Once they fall apart, I've heard of people storing sets in like, plastic storage boxes, makeup boxes, old jewelry cases, etc...it depends on how much you care about what you put them in.

As for the cases themselves - I just keep them stacked up on my bookcase when I'm not using them. So long as they're not in direct sunlight, they'll be quite happy up there on their own.