Royal Brand Catalin American Mah Jongg Set

Royal Brand by Crisloid American Mah Jongg Set

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Likely Early 1970s

Some mahjong sets arrive with complete histories. Others leave behind clues that allow us to piece together their story. This beautiful Royal Brand by Crisloid set falls into the latter category.

Acquired from the estate of a longtime mahjong enthusiast, this set was one of several Royal and Crisloid collections owned by its previous steward, suggesting a genuine appreciation for the quality and craftsmanship of these iconic American manufacturers. We are honored to be only the second steward of this remarkable set.

This collection appears to have been produced during the transition from A&L Manufacturing to Crisloid, likely made sometime in the early 1970s. The exterior of the box bears a Crisloid label, while the interior carries a Royal Brand by Crisloid label, placing it within a fascinating period in American Mah Jongg manufacturing after Crisloid acquired the Royal Brand from A&L Manufacturing.

One of the first things you'll notice when you pick up these tiles is their feel. While unmistakably Catalin, they have an unusually smooth, dense surface with a remarkable sheen that is unlike most Catalin sets I've handled. They almost feel more like polished resin than traditional Catalin. They shuffle effortlessly, stack beautifully, and have a substantial, satisfying weight in the hand. Simply put, they don't make them like this anymore.

The tiles feature a rich caramel-orange face paired with beautifully uniform backs. Unlike many vintage Catalin sets, these tiles show no evidence of shrinkage, warping, stress crazing, or hairline cracking. They remain exceptionally straight, making them a pleasure to stack and play.

Unlike earlier Royal sets that relied on additional flower tiles for American Mah Jongg, this collection includes eight original carved joker tiles, making it fully compatible with modern National Mah Jongg League play without modification.

One of my favorite aspects of this set is its flower collection. Included are five of the traditional botanical flower tiles—the Plum Blossom (Méi), Orchid (Lán), two Chrysanthemums (Jú), and Bamboo (Zhú). Collectively known as the Four Gentlemen, these plants have been celebrated for centuries in Chinese painting, poetry, and decorative arts as symbols of the virtues admired in the ideal scholar: resilience, humility, integrity, and perseverance.

The set also retains three of its historical figure tiles: Táo, Shào, and Yǔ. The fourth historical figure is absent, and because these sets originally included additional flower tiles, it is assumed the missing pieces were simply separated from the set over the years and never reunited during the estate settlement.

The original Catalin racks remain in beautiful condition, complete with their original tile separators and functioning coin holders. All four racks sit perfectly flat with no cracks. The case latch operates properly, and while the carrying handle has been replaced, the case itself presents beautifully. The interior lid remains in excellent condition, while the lower portion of the case has been recovered.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Royal Brand by Crisloid

• Era: Likely late 1960s to early 1970s

• Provenance: Estate acquisition; second known steward

• Tile Count: Original Catalin tile set with eight carved jokers

• Tile Size: 1.24" high × 0.86" wide × 0.49" deep (shown in listing photos using a digital caliper)

• Tile Construction: Single-layer Catalin

• Tile Color: Warm caramel-orange faces with uniform backs

• Jokers: Eight original carved jokers

• Ready for NMJL play

• Original Catalin racks with functioning coin holders

• Vintage dice included

• Original case with replacement handle

  
  

Condition

This set has been beautifully preserved for more than fifty years.

• No shrinkage or warping

• No stress crazing or hairline cracking

• No chips or flea bites

• Uniform tile color throughout

• All racks sit flat

• No cracks in the racks

• Coin holders function properly

• Case latch operates correctly

• Interior lid is in excellent condition

• Lower case lining has been recovered

• Replacement carrying handle

Tiles

36 Craks

36 Dots

36 Bams

4 Red Dragons

4 Green Dragons

4 While Dragons (Soap)

16 Winds

8 Flower Tiles

8 Carved Jokers

We do our very best to photograph and disclose every notable condition detail so there are no surprises. The photographs in this listing have not been digitally altered.

Vintage Mah Jongg sets were made to be played. They acquire patina, gentle wear, and evidence of lives well lived around the table. Those marks are not imperfections to me—they're part of the story each set carries.

If you're searching for factory perfection, this probably isn't the right purchase. But if you appreciate exceptional craftsmanship, remarkable playability, and the opportunity to become the next steward of a beautifully preserved piece of American Mah Jongg history, I think you'll find this Royal Brand by Crisloid set to be something truly extraordinary.

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