Once upon a time, there was a collector who thought collecting vintage Bingo games would be one of the easiest things to collect…
I nearly always found old Bingo games at garage sales, flea markets & thrift stores — you didn’t even need to look for real vintage versions at actual antique shops because the games were so readily available. And not just because the game’s always been popular with the gambling lucky-troll holding daubing set either.
The game’s popularity dates back before church fundraisers and Native American casinos — so long ago that the game was once a “fun for all ages” entertainment staple in ye houses of yore. So you can find vintage Bingo sets in everything from the functional for larger groups to the retro kiddie goodness varieties. All of which are spectacular to see, really.
That’s what once excited me really — the opportunity to see how many of these old charmers I could get to fill my collecting card. But then, once I opened the musty cardboard boxes, I quickly discovered the problem.
Along with the too many pieces to be saved (resulting, in most cases, in very incomplete games), there were problems with old plastics, rendering cheery bright yellow tumbling mechanisms useless because they had become unglued at the seams — and while that’s less frightening than a gambling woman who’s become unglued due to loss of her lucky troll, such damage issues render your game unplayable.
Poo on that.
When you can’t even find enough cool vintage Bingo games to get four corners on your collector’s playing card, who wants to play anymore?
You could call me a poor sport; but really, my heart was broken. Like a vintage plastic Bingo ball thingy.
So for a number of years I wouldn’t even let myself be charmed and intrigued enough by a brightly colored, vintage graphics laden, box cover enough to wander over and “just see…” No. I wouldn’t fall for that again!
But recently, at a thrift store, hubby (who apparently didn’t know of my previous heartbreak) put into my hands a Bookgames Bingo game…
Vintage Metro Mfg Co Bookgames Case
This “pocket sized” Bingo game taught me a few things… One, that pockets must have been way-huge back in the 1940’s — even if the games were sold as “Perfect Gifts For the Men in Service.”
But the other thing was that there is hope for finding vintage Bingo games intact enough to play.
Sure, the spinner shows signs of wear, and I don’t know if any of the cards are lucky, but finally, a game that’s not only worthy of investing in buying a lucky troll, but one that is part of “The Game-Lovers Library.”
Vintage Bingo Game
Bookish in looks (with the name on the “spine”), it even came with a list of all the other Bookgames in the series — too-too cool for a collector.
Even if I’m not sure I can squeeze such a thing onto my sagging bookshelves.
UPDATE:
This post was included in the second edition of the New Vintage Reviews Carnival.
Because Becky asked, here’s a scan of the list of Metro Mfg. Co.’s list of games, as printed on part of the back of the “how to play Bingo” insert — click to enlarge!
"The Game-Lovers Library" List Of Bookgames
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 PM
And now that vintage Bingo cards and pieces are so popular with artists – check out etsy – it will be even more difficult to find intact sets I would imagine.
Liz
June 4th, 2009 at 5:45 PM
I am so glad I found your article. I have been collecting Metro Bookgames for the past several years. Someone in my family had handed down a Metro Chess game. In all my research, I have never been able to find out much about the company nor how many or what games were included in the series. I would love to have a list of those that were manufactured if that would be possible. Thanks in advance for any information you might be able to share.
Best regards,
Becky
June 8th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Hi Becky, I’ll send you a scan of the list on the insert; but I’ve also uploaded it here (in case others want to see it).
June 8th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Dear Deanna,
Thank you so much! I scanned it and tried to enlarge, increase contrast, etc. but it is still very difficult to discern some of the letters and numbers. I think with the games that I have, I can piece it together through a process of elimination.
I would also be pleased to have copy of your scan because it might be clearer than mine. What do I need to do so that you can send it? In the meantime, I’ll make a list of the ones I have and share it.
My best,
Becky
June 8th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Becky, I didn’t realize it would shrink so much in the gallery, so I’ve added the scan to the post — click on it for a full version.
I will also try to email it to you, but it’s rather large.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Thanks Deanna. Now I have a perfect copy and can continue my search with more focus. It’s a great copy and easy to read. Needlless to say, Ive saved it in my documents just in case….
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Glad I could help, Becky
FYI, I wrote about other vintage book-like portable games here.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I recently purchased a E.S. Lowe Automatic Bingo Chute Cage Party Set at a garage sale. I just sorted all the pieces out to see what was missing. The set originally included 77 balls (75 marked and 2 unmarked spares). One of the spares had B5 handwritten on it so now the set has 1 spare, one handwritten number ball and the rest of the balls are there. It also had 40 game cards and the automatic ball chute plus the master board. I can’t seem to find any information out about this game. The box is marked No. 1000 but I don’t know if that means anything. I was hoping someone who knows more about vintage bingo sets can tell how old this set might be and if it might be worth anything at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Reply to Taryn Durr; I have a Vintage Bingo Blower machine I trying to sell on Craigslist, Google “Bingo Blower Fund Raiser”. How or who do you talk to to learn about these old Machines. The manufacture was not proud enough to put their name on it!