1936-1940

1936 was a booming year for Parker Brothers and Monopoly. Over 1.8 million sets were produced. These included the three editions carried over from 1935 (7,9,10) and new editions including the #5, two different #6s, #8 popular edition, #12 Gold Edition, and #25 De Luxe edition. The Monopoly patent was issued on Dec. 31, 1935 and probably went on the boxes the first week of Jan., 1936. Single patent 1936 editions probably do exist, but they would be indistinguishable from 1935 editions. Hybrid 35/36 sets do exist though. These sets have both single and dual patent components (the boards may be single patent outside and dual inside or dual outside and single inside). These sets would be very early 1936 sets and are due to stock being used up to satisfy demand (whatever was on the top of the stack of boards/labels was used without regard to patent numbers).

Late in 1936 "A Parker Trading Game" was added to all editions except the #8. The games remained basically unchanged inside and production ran into 1940.

The Chance and Community Chest cards are varied in 1936. Early sets have the same plain text cards that are found in the later 1935 sets. "Pencil Sketch" cards soon found their way into the sets. These cards have '20s style sketches on them (see Chance/Community Chest). Several changes were made to the content of the cards and therefore several different sets of "Pencil Sketch" cards exist. These cards were soon replaced with the familiar "Rich Uncle Pennybags" cards with the same content as today.

The #5 set had 8 metal tokens (one more than the #7) This set is known to have at least 2 different versions; both pictured to the right. This set was short lived and was replaced by the #6 Blue box and the #8 popular edition.

The #6 was produced as a "Junior" edition priced at $2.00. It contained 7 wooden tokens and smaller sized money. There were 3 legal line changes on the #6 in 1936.

The #7 had 2 legal line changes on the box and 3 on the board (the Copyright 1935 tag is known to exist on black boards but not boxes. If anyone has one of these please let me know).

The #8 carried on the 8 metal tokens from the #5 and had standard sized money as well as a new green box and a green bound board. The #8 is also the first of few editions to have "Monopoly" written in script on the box.

The #6 "New Edition" came later in 1936 and was first bound in brown and then black. This edition had 7 metal tokens, standard money, and for all intents and purposes replaced the #7. In 1937 "New Edition" was dropped from the package and "A Parker Trading Game" replaced it.

The #9 received a green-bound board and the legal line was changed to the dual patents. Grand Hotels were also included for the first time in 1936.

The #10 Fine Edition remained basically unchanged from 1935. The board was still bound in brown, as was the box. It Contained Grand Hotels and ten standard metal tokens.

The #12 Gold Edition received gold foil on the box and board, larger sized Chance and Community Chest cards , and larger tokens.

The #25 De Luxe Edition had a board and box made of wood, and contained metal chips for money as well as the regular bills. These games were probably made to order as very few are known to exist today.

"Pencil Sketch" cards make a comeback and are prevalent in the 1937 6,8, and 9 sets (this is probably due to declining sales and Parker Brothers using up old stock). The rules in the ‘37 sets also have 1937 written at the top.

After 1936 the $5 set was given the larger tokens, the gold edition remained about the same, and the #25 got a simpler box (sorry, no picture available).

Dating Notes

• "A Parker Trading Game" slogan added except on #8
  
• All 1936-40 sets will be dual patent "London" sets
  
• All 1936-40 sets have the new style Title Deeds with mortgage info on back (some do exist with blank backs — error???)
  
• Tokens in the #7 included: thimble (for a good girl), shoe, ship, top hat, race car, cannon, and iron
  
• Tokens in the #8 are the same as the #7 plus the purse
  
• Tokens in the #5 are the same as the #8
  
• Tokens in the #9 included those from the #7 plus the purse, lantern, and rocking horse
  
• Tokens in the "New Edition" #6 are the same as the #7 except the purse replaced the thimble.
  
• Tokens in the black #6 are the same as the #7
• "Copyright 1935" on all money
  
• Salmon $100 bills and gray $50 bills in these sets
  
• Darrow copyright removed late 1936
  
• Three types of Chance/Community Chest cards found in 1936 sets (plain text, "Pencil Sketch", and "Rich Uncle Pennybags".
  
• "Rich Uncle Pennybags" Chance/CC cards in some 1936 and 1937 sets and all forward
  
• "Rules for 1937" at top of 1937 rules