Become a property mogul and then you can Trump Donald at his own game
IF THE rain comes down during the summer holiday, a board game can brighten the mood.
Monopoly might often cause family arguments, but it is the most popular game in history. A black box set may be worth £100 if made before the Second World War.
Monopoly creator Charles Darrow came up with the game in 1933 after adapting an earlier version called The Landlord’s Game, invented in 1903. The first Monopoly boards were based on the streets of Atlantic City in the US and can sell for £90,000 while early copies of The Landlord’s Game go for as much as £10,000.
Sarah McClure, 35, from Manchester, plays board games with husband Christopher, 30, and children Darcy, six, and Oliver, four. She also trades games through her website Vintage Playtime. She says: ‘The choice of games is huge. For example, you can try to beat US Presidential candidate Donald Trump at his own game with the 2004 board game Trump. The objective is to become a property billionaire. It costs £50 now, but the game could be worth a lot more if he gets into the White House.’ Sarah believes the quality of games has suffered over the years as manufacturers have cut costs to boost profits. She says: ‘The Mouse Trap Game was introduced in 1963 and you can still buy an original set with all the mechanical parts for £50. It is far superior to later examples which did away with many of the original parts.’ Other timeless classics include Buccaneer, Escape From Colditz and Escalado. Pristine condition sets can fetch £100. A 1972 original edition of Master Mind is still great value at £20.