See how I name the tiles? Please use my terminology (I confuse easily). You can't just say "148 tiles" or "156 tiles" - and you mustn't simply say "it's complete" - you have to break the count down.īreaking it down. Tell potential buyers or appraisers an exact breakdown. Take a picture of your laid-out tiles while you're at it. If you can't identify a tile, see the Mystery Tiles FAQ. If you have other tiles, put those at the right side, by type. If you don't know what those tiles are, see FAQ 7B. How many tiles are there in the set? Your best bet is to lay out the tiles on a table like this:Īrrange each suit in 4 rows by number put your winds, dragons, and 8 flowers in 4 rows. If the tiles are bone & bamboo, give thickness of the bone portion. Of the tiles? Use either inches or metric (one or the other, not both - doesn't matter which just be precise). See ourīefore you make any unsupportable claims (such as "this set is over a hundred years old!" or "this set is from the Qing Dynasty!") the knowledgeable collectors can see through claims that are ignorant of the actual history of the game. Describe the history of the set to the best of your knowledge. The set was made or purchased, if you know. Either state the condition of the poorest tiles, or break it down - "90% of the tiles are Excellent but 10% of the tiles are Good." With over 100 tiles in a set, you may find that some tiles are in better condition than others. No defects of any kind (your description should so state). Item looks the same as when it came from the factory. These defects must be described in detail. Item has only very minor defects which only a purist or expert would notice or care about. Item has a few defects that any normal person would notice upon close examination. Item is worn but reasonably attractive any normal person would notice the defects without having to look for them. Item is utilitarian but not attractive. Item is not usable, or is only just barely usable, or is unpleasant to use. Or describe the condition of collectibles. Also avoid terms like "vintage," "antique," "unique," "one-of-a-kind," and "I've never seen one like it!" You are writing a factual description, not a sales pitch (you can write a sales pitch later, after you've finished the valuation and are ready to sell the set).Īlso, just because you think your set is unique doesn't mean that other collectors will think so too. Sales terms like "exquisite" and "gorgeous," "must see to believe," and do not belong in this description. Are they clean and attractive, like new, or are they dirty, mildewed, smelly? All defects of the set must be noted and described, in order to achieve the most accurate valuation. If you do not know what to call the pieces, see ourĭescribe the condition of the case, the paper materials, and of course the tiles. Describe all the contents, listing all dice, chips, racks, etc. Then, if emailing me, paste the text into the email (please do not send attached documents I won't open them). The first step is to use the following checklist. If you want to find out how much your set is worth, you have to do some homework. Tiles are the two most valuable types of sets. These tiles are light-colored catalin "enrobed" with darker-colored catalin or bakelite. A set that is complete and in good condition is worth more than one that is missing pieces or shows evidence of wear or storage in unfortunate places. ![]() Bakelite sets can also be worth hundreds of dollars, but only if they have 16 or more flower tiles and/or are of the "enrobed" type. ![]() The most valuable types of mah-jongg sets are the ones made of unusual or rare materials (genuine ivory, genuine jade, hollow tin tiles, for instance). Or if you write an unusually good eBay sales pitch like some I've seen. If it's got any unusual pieces (especiallyīeautiful or unusual flower tiles, one bams, anĮxceptional box, etc.), or if it's made from an exotic material, Assuming your set is a 1920s bone-and-bamboo set in a nice wooden box (such as the one depicted in column #610, it's probably worth between $50 and $500, depending on condition and completeness (does it have all 144 or 148 tiles, marked with Western indices, plus instruction manual, all the sticks, dice, wind indicators, and small containers for dice and wind indicators).
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