Collecting Board Games: The 1941 Game of El Dorado

One of my passions is collecting board games. For quite a few years I had been on the chase for the board game titled El Dorado published by Parker Brothers in 1941. Years before,  I had seen it go for auction for over a couple hundred dollars, and have since kept my eye for it.  I eventually found one and snatched it up! I wasn’t going to let it get away. I was so excited.  It was complete with all its components, which I have discovered while chasing after this game, is a rare find.

There are quite a few reasons why I love the game.   The first and best one, which might be funny to some, is the game player pieces.  Instead of being simple pawns, they are tiny little metal lanterns!  So Cool! Within my game collection is a smaller collection of games with ‘unique game pieces’.   I just love games with creative game pieces.  The playing pieces of El Dorado are awesome and such a welcomed addition to not only my game collection, but a bonus to my ‘unique game piece’ collection. It was like finding two treasures in one.  Actually more, as you read on!

Besides the game pieces, the game is about treasure hunting.  The full title for the game is ‘El Dorado, A Game of the World’s Hidden Treasures.’  So again, it added to not only my full collection of games, but also to my section of ‘Treasure Hunting Games.’

The game includes a booklet describing over 200 different lost world treasures! This was written of course in 1941 and so now I’m on the Chase of researching the numerous treasures mentioned in this booklet.  Some are still popular today, like El Dorado or Oak Island, as well as the Lima loot.

And some that are mentioned have been found since the booklet was written in 1941, like the SS Central America. This lost treasure of 1941 was found in 1987. But others are more obscure and not much information can be found on them.  While some are sure to be mere tales and legends, might others offer clues to a forgotten lost treasure? It will be exciting to investigate them!

Of course the game can be played too.  lol.  It is for 2-6 players.

Players begin by placing their ‘Lanterns’ (gotta love it!) on one of the board’s starting spaces and picking 5 general treasure cards which will reveal the treasures they are to go in search of across the world.  Players then race across the board, by the roll of the die, to recover the various lost treasures positioned on the Map (game board).  The player who gathers the most treasure at the end of the game wins.

There are different obstacles and options during play which make it an exciting game.  And of course you learn about lost treasures while doing so- making it all the more fun game for my family and I to take off the shelf and enjoy!

It was a treasured find.

Best of luck with all that you seek!  Always Treasure the Adventure!