Featured How do you tell how old a Mah Jong set is?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by journeymagazine, Feb 9, 2024.

  1. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    I found this mah jong set yesterday at a thrift store. A google image search said it has "butterscotch" bakelite tiles?
    How do you tell the age of a mah jong set?
    Thanks!
    PS - I also wanted to show you a Mongoose special edition Stranger Things/Mad Max bmx bicycle I got yesterday - I know people sometimes donate a painting that they didn't realize was an expensive piece (I've found a few!), but I can't believe someone donated this to a thrift store (retails for $600!)

    TOY GAME MAH JONG 1AA.jpg TOY GAME MAH JONG 2AA.jpg TOY GAME MAH JONG 4AA.jpg TOY GAME MAH JONG 6AA.jpg TOY GAME MAH JONG 9AA.jpg

    A rare Mongoose special edition Stranger Things/Mad Max bmx bike!

    BICYCLE MONGOOSE STRANGER THINGS MAD MAX BMX BIKE 1AA.jpg BICYCLE MONGOOSE STRANGER THINGS MAD MAX BMX BIKE 1BAA.jpg BICYCLE MONGOOSE STRANGER THINGS MAD MAX BMX BIKE 2AA.jpg BICYCLE MONGOOSE STRANGER THINGS MAD MAX BMX BIKE 3AA.jpg

    PS - Here is another old bike - a KMZ55 - I bought from the same store a few weeks ago - I bought it because I'd never seen a bike made by KIA the car company!
    I hope you enjoy the photos!

    BICYCLE KIA KMX 55 2AA.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2024
  2. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Cool bikes! That bmx looks to be in a beautiful condition. Also like to copper style one. Great buys!
     
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  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Butterscotch bakelite isn't that yellow. Did you test them for bakelite?
     
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  4. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    That second bicycle, the vintage KMX, would sell for a few hundred bucks here in my neck of the woods, especially if the tires still hold air.

    Stylin'!
     
  5. Joe in PA

    Joe in PA Well-Known Member

    How do you tell how old a Mah Jong set is?

    Ask it when it graduated high school. Bada Boom (sorry very unhelpful answer but couldn't stop myself)
     
  6. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Stick a hot needle in one?
     
  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Nope! Try Simichrome, or 409 cleaner.
    Put a bit of either on the end of a cotton Q-tip, then rub the tip on the suspect surface for a few seconds.
    If Bakelite (or Catalin) is present, the tip will show a yellow tint. Good luck...
     
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  8. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Mah Jong IMHO looks newer to me,bikes are killer.
     
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  9. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    I dunno...the fitted suitcase has period hardware an' construction that would easily match that of Bakelite/Catalin. What appears as a color discrepancy may be due to lighting and/or camera settings. I'll bet on Bakelite...bicbw!
     
  10. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Good Grief, Joe...try harder!
     
    Joe in PA likes this.
  11. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Could be Whit-The faux alligator leatherette & swirliness on the tile bar holders could denote age.
     
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  12. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Uhh...not could, Bosko. Does is the word you were looking for.
     
  13. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Or.... do, since it's plural.

    [sorry-- English teacher and all... ;);):stop::wacky::smug::smuggrin: ]
     
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  14. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Spot-on, Pots. Will my grade suffer?
     
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  15. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    B- ...but the term is yet young!
     
    wlwhittier likes this.
  16. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    -Does be Whit ?
     
    wlwhittier likes this.
  17. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Uhh...Yeah, Sure!
     
  18. Chinoiserie

    Chinoiserie Well-Known Member

    Hard to tell with the tablets in the mah Jong set but the round tokens look plastic? The mongoose is amazing and looks virtually mint. Never heard of a KMX. Not sure if they made it this side of the water. We had choppers in England which go for a mint now.
     
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  19. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    'How do you tell how old a Mah Jong set is?'
    -C'mon-You know it's not polite to ask yer Mah how old her Jong is !?
    BAH-BOOM !
    Now do I get on The Sid Caesar Show ?
     
    journeymagazine likes this.
  20. Chinoiserie

    Chinoiserie Well-Known Member

    Ker plunk
     
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