Monobridge/Rottgames “Soaring Sparrow” Pumpkin Catalin Mah Jongg Set
Monobridge/Rottgames “Soaring Sparrow” Pumpkin Catalin Mah Jongg Set
Likely 1920s–1930s
The color alone makes this set remarkable. Over nearly a century, its Catalin tiles have developed a rich pumpkin patina that gives the entire collection a warm, unmistakably vintage presence.
Often described by collectors as the Soaring Sparrow pattern for its distinctive One Bam, this set belongs to a family of early American mah jongg tiles frequently attributed to either Monobridge or Rottgames. The two makers used remarkably similar artwork, including a signature One Dot and related flower designs, and unmarked examples remain a source of spirited debate among collectors.
Monobridge is generally thought to be the earlier manufacturer or distributor, known for its high-quality Bakelite and Catalin sets. Rottgames, associated with William Rott, later produced mah jongg sets and combination game cases featuring many of the same design elements. Because neither name appears on this case, we are presenting the attribution cautiously as Monobridge/Rottgames.
The set includes all 144 original tiles. Eight well-matched orphan tiles have been added and fitted with joker stickers, bringing the set to the 152 tiles needed for modern American Mah Jongg play. The additions blend remarkably well in color, size, and age and will be shown face down with the original tiles in the listing photographs.
Unlike hand-carved tiles, these designs were heat-stamped using a heated die that impressed the artwork directly into the Catalin. This process produced smooth, recessed designs with exceptional consistency across matching tiles.
The collection includes:
144 original Catalin tiles
Eight well-matched orphan tiles with joker stickers
Original case with fitted tile trays
Four burgundy marbled Mah-Lowe racks
One pair of dice
Tile size: 21.86 mm × 31.31 mm × 12.07 mm
The tiles are in great playable condition with no cracks, warping, damaged impressions, or significant paint loss. NOTE: One Two-Dot tile shows a small sliver of damage at the corner. It has not affected play. Please see photos.
The four burgundy marbled racks are stamped Mah-Lowe. Their metal ends show age-related pitting, which is frequently seen on surviving examples, but all four racks remain stable, functional, and free of sharp edges.
The original faux-leather case is structurally sound but shows extensive cosmetic wear. Much of the underlying wood structure is visible along one side. The handle, hinges, lining, and fitted tile trays remain functional. It is a good original case that has simply lived a long and well-used life.
We do not know this set’s individual ownership history or whether the Mah-Lowe racks were originally paired with the tiles. What remains is a beautiful, fully playable example from the early boom years of American mah jongg, complete with extraordinary pumpkin-colored Catalin and one of the most recognizable sparrows in vintage tile collecting.
This set has spent nearly a century doing exactly what a mah jongg set was made to do: gathering people around a table. Its pumpkin patina, worn case, and other signs of age are evidence of a life well played. We do not regard those marks as imperfections. They belong to its story.
This is not a factory-perfect set, nor should it be. It is a wonderfully playable survivor from the early boom years of American Mah Jongg, ready for its next table and its next steward.
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