Expert: Erik Arneson - 9/25/2000

Question
Erik,

With the renewed interest in quiz games on TV, I remembered that I have been moving a Twenty One board game around for the last 40+ years.  It was manufactured by Lowell Toy Manufacturing Corp in Long Island City, New York.  It is complete in the original box, although a bit weary from all the moving.  

I was wondering with the increased nostalgia about "old" things, whether this might be of interest to a collector.  I have searched the web for some site that would give me a clue about the interest in the game, and could find nothing.  Could you direct me to an appropriate web site?  Do you know if there is an interest in this old game?  

Thanks for your help.
Leslie

Answer
Leslie,

Thanks for the question. Generally speaking, you're right to think the nostalgia value of old board games helps their value increase. But...

Many games were produced in such large quantities that there is very little collectible value. And games often have to be in excellent condition to attract the eye of a collector.

All that said, I couldn't locate a recommended price for Twenty One -- but did find some similar games by Lowell (e.g. Beat the Clock and $64,000 Quiz Game) which might sell for $35 to $60, depending on condition. Beat the Clock is more valuable because it includes some unique components -- my guess is that Twenty One would be more in the $30 to $40 range. Of course, to sell it for that amount you'd have to find someone willing to pay it! :-)

For more information on determining the value of a board game, try this page:
http://boardgames.about.com/library/hunt/blworth.htm

Cheers,
Erik