Original Pre-WW2 British Monopoly Board Game by Waddington – Civilian Home Front Britain

SKU: 0157A

Added by : Andrew Robinson

Description

This is an original British Monopoly board game produced by John Waddington Ltd of London & Leeds, dating to the late 1930s, just before the outbreak of WW2. With its familiar London streets, pre-decimal currency, and classic early artwork, this is a wonderfully evocative example of British domestic leisure on the eve of wartime.

Games like this were a staple of civilian life, gathering families around the table during long evenings at home. As the war progressed, Monopoly remained a popular source of comfort and distraction, played in ordinary households, during blackouts, and later in shelters and rest centres. This set sits very naturally within that Home Front context, representing the quieter, human side of the period away from uniforms and official equipment.

What makes this example especially appealing is the clear evidence of prolonged, genuine use. The game has not been frozen in time or preserved as a display piece, but enjoyed and adapted as needed. Elements such as hand-made replacement money reflect the familiar wartime mentality of making do, keeping the game playable rather than replacing it. These touches add real character and tell a story of everyday life rather than careful collecting.

Overall, this is a charming survivor from pre-war Britain that bridges neatly into the WW2 Home Front years. It’s a piece that feels personal and lived-with, offering far more than just a board game — it’s a small window into how ordinary people relaxed, passed the time, and found a little escapism during an uncertain era.

Included in this box you have the main board, 16 Community Chest Cards, 16 chance cards, a small “short game” rules card, a dice card (see photos), 12 hotels, 32 houses, 6 playing pieces (see photos) and money which I’ve listed below:

  • £1 x 30
  • £5 x 10
  • £10 x 30
  • £20 x 10
  • £50 x 10
  • £100 x 40
  • £500 x 16
  • Handmade £200 x 55

The condition of this set is lovely; the photos speak for themselves. There’s plenty of honest wear from use, which tells me this game has been used and loved, and perhaps even that a few arguments have been had over who gets Mayfair and Park Lane. The board, which folds in the middle for storage, is still in one piece, with all the ink clear and bright and the corners in good condition. The box for the pieces and cards is also in good condition.

This is a beautiful piece perfect for any Home Front collector.

£105.00

1930s Britain British Board Game British Monopoly British Social History Civilian Home Front Home Front Collectable Home Front Leisure Pre Decimal Currency Pre War Monopoly Waddington Monopoly Wartime Britain WW2 Home Front

Full contents layout of pre-WW2 British Monopoly board game with board laid open showing London streets, Community Chest and Chance cards, houses, hotels, playing pieces, rule cards, money and original Waddington box arranged around the board
Full contents layout of pre-WW2 British Monopoly board game with board laid open showing London streets, Community Chest and Chance cards, houses, hotels, playing pieces, rule cards, money and original Waddington box arranged around the board
Stacked original Monopoly paper money showing pre-decimal British denominations including £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100 and £500 notes from an early Waddington set
Close-up of hand-made £200 Monopoly notes cut from card and hand-marked, showing period replacement money made to keep the game playable during civilian Home Front use
Original Monopoly wartime dice substitute spinner card issued due to difficulty obtaining dice, showing numbered wheel and printed instructions referencing shortages
Close-up detail of printed text on original Monopoly dice substitute card explaining the wartime shortage of dice and how the spinner replaces their use
Original Monopoly short game rules card manufactured by John Waddington Limited, outlining alternative gameplay rules for shorter civilian play sessions
Original pre-WW2 British Monopoly box lid by John Waddington Ltd showing classic red diamond artwork and early Monopoly character, a civilian Home Front leisure item
Close-up view of original Waddington Monopoly box corner showing edge wear and layered card construction from prolonged civilian Home Front use
Detail of original British Monopoly box edge and corner showing honest wear, surface scuffing and ageing consistent with a pre-war Home Front board game
Six original early British Monopoly wooden playing pieces with printed card figures including boot, car, rocking horse, ship, iron and top hat from a pre-WW2 Waddington set
Angled view of original British Monopoly wooden playing pieces showing thickness, printed detail and period wear from civilian Home Front use
Interior view of original Waddington Monopoly box containing board game components including money, cards, dice substitute spinner, wooden houses, hotels and playing pieces arranged inside the box
Rear view of original British Monopoly box and folded board showing plain brown backing and original construction from a pre-WW2 Waddington set
Interior reverse of original Monopoly folding board showing hinge line, surface texture and age wear consistent with prolonged civilian Home Front use
Close-up detail of original British Monopoly board surface showing period texture, wear and original printing beneath the central logo area
Detail view of original Monopoly board corner showing London property spaces including Whitehall, Northumberland Avenue and Marylebone Station with clear pre-decimal prices and colouring

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