Stunning Two-Tone 1920s Vintage Mahjong by Pung Chow, 152 tiles, NMJL ready!

The Pung Chow Company, with headquarters in New York City, was a prominent U.S. manufacturer of Mahjong sets between 1923 and 1925. Founded by Lew Lysle Harr, the company produced sets from Pyralin (an early nitro cellulose based plastic). DuPont famously used the material to make all sorts of personal accessories as it had a similar appearance to ivory but was obviously less costly. This set is a two toned Pyralin set, originally with 144 tiles and black backs. It now has 152 tiles. Eight perfectly matched tiles were added to make it playable under current National Mahjongg League rules and stickers were added to them to make joker tiles. Since jokers were not officially added to the game until 1971, sets from these early years of the mahjong craze require extra tiles. This particular set of tiles is Pung Chow's slightly smaller ladies set, measuring 1 1/8 x 13/16 x 3/8 inches. Height and width are similar to modern tiles, but this set is thinner front to back. Arabic numerals decorate each tile. Unlike other sets available on the market this one has fronts that are remarkably similar in color. The backs are shiny black. This is an exceptional example of a two tone Pung Chow set. I have also added Harr's original book on the game "How to Play Pung Chow", published in 1923. Harr's company operated only for a short time and was bankrupt by 1925.

This highly collectible set was found in its original cardboard box. Given the nature of cardboard material, it is in surprisingly good condition - aside from where some prior owner made the unfortunate decision to set their drinking glass. Original score cards, scoring sticks and mini dice are included. A minor manufacturing defect on the back of one of the tiles is pictured and on a couple of tiles you can see the knife scores from the time when these tiles were hand cut during production. The three stylized dragons of these sets are highly unusual, and probably were one of the selling points for the game. The flower tiles show different forms of architecture and modes of transportation, similar to sets sold by Mah-Jongg Sales Company of America, one of Pung Chow's biggest competitors. Also unusual are the cardinal directions seen on the flower tiles. Don't confuse these flower tiles with the very traditional appearing winds tiles. These tiles are hand-painted and the paint is all original.

The name, Pung Chow derives from classic Mahjong terminology. Pung is a set of three identical tiles, and Chow is a sequence of three tiles in the same suit.

As a note of caution, this is a very early plastic and you should keep these tiles away from sources of heat. Also do not clean this set with solvents such as rubbing alcohol or acetone. I have carefully cleaned this set with a special product meant for plastics and a microfiber towel. It is clean and ready to play with when it arrives at your door.

My photos were taken in natural light without filters or enhancements. Mats and tablecloths are for photographic purposes only and are not included with your purchase.

This set will be shipped with insurance, tracking, and required signature confirmation.

There are no returns or exchanges so please ask questions in advance of purchase.

Thank you for visiting my shop.

Mindy