Tag Archives: Pung Chow

MAH JONGG MONDAYS!

 

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Fern Bernstein, the author of Mah Jongg Mondays: a memoir about friendship, love, and faith.

But surely Fern was not calling me about her book…no, Fern was calling to ask if I would be a guest on her podcast, Mah Jongg Mondays. I was so honored to be asked! Fern has been doing these wonderful Mah Jongg-related podcasts for a while now with a new version airing each Monday. As Fern writes, “A podcast where we talk about all things mah jongg. Informative discussions and exciting guests help me create a fun and engaging podcast. Whether you are a new player or have been playing mah jongg for decades, this podcast has something for everyone. Bam! Crak! Dot! Let’s talk about mah jongg!”

So, I digress. As I said, Fern had called me and asked if I would like to be interviewed on her podcast. A date was set up for us to do the interview which would then be sent off to her producer for editing. Fern asked me to send her my bio and, at the same time, she sent me an outline of the interview. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciated her professionalism.

At exactly the time on the date we were scheduled for the interview, my phone rang and it was Fern. The interview followed the outline and there were no surprises. Fern is a skilled interviewer and I enjoyed the entire process. And so, I hope you will listen to and enjoy Fern interviewing me on this podcast called – what else?!! – Mah Jongg and Me

P.S. Take a look at these Flowers…don’t be fooled into thinking they are Winds! Even though they have NEWS on them they are definitely the Flowers from this set!  I talk about these beautiful Pung Chow tiles on the podcast!

STILL A MYSTERY BUT A BIT OF INFORMATION…

From our dear friend, Tony:

I have the same set from France, which I snapped up as a Buy It Now at a very reasonable price, as I’d never seen one like it before.
Like Mark, I’m not sure if this was produced before the Pung Chow factory was set up, or after it folded; either is possible… The box measures 290x155x90mm, made from finger-jointed wood stained red, with a slide top, a separator for the celluloid counting sticks cut-out to assist removal of the 4 trays solidly made from the same stained wood.
The gorgeous tiles measure 30x22x10mm with 45/55 white/red Pyralin (celluloid), sharp corner on top and rounded on the red – there is some colour variation on the red.
The designs are fairly standard; simple Circles, complex wan Craks, separated rod Bamboos, swooping crane Bambird.
There are a few tiles missing; 1-7 Cracks + 2 Craks; 1 Bamboo; 1 Red + 1 Green Dragon; no Flowers. I’m not sure if the flowers were deliberately omitted, emulating a Chinese set, or if they got lost.. but my friend Johni sent me pics of the Flowers if I ever try to re-create them..

Tony – thank you so much for chiming in…I KNEW you would have information on this gorgeous set!

TALK ABOUT A GREAT FIND!

I received an email from our friend Mark who had just scored big time with this amazing L.L. Haar set. I am drooling over this set and would give anything to own one like this! Check out these beautiful photos but first, I will tell you what Mark had to say about it…

I wanted to pass along some photos of an unusual set I purchased recently.  It came in a wooden box with a slip-in top.  There is a brass name plate with “Harr Products, Inc.”, so I’m assuming it was produced by L.L. Harr.  Mr. Harr also was responsible for Pung Chow sets, so why the different name, I’m not sure.  I have seen that Pung Chow went out of business in 1925, and Mr. Harr passed away in 1931, so I’m at a loss on when, where and why this manufacturer produced sets.
It is a two tone (Ivory white fronts and cherry red backs) set that appears to be a Pyralin-like material.  It has the flipping crane one bams that are common on Pung Chow sets, but the flowers are completely different.
I noticed your request for unusual set photos when researching the similarity between Coronet and Pung Chow graphics.  I’m sure you’re aware the flipping crane one bam and flowers are almost identical between the two, but I can’t seem to find out why.  If you have any information on this similarity, I’d love to hear.

If anyone knows the answer to Mark’s questions, please let us know! But for now, enjoy these photos!

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SO TALENTED…

My dear friend Phia clearly comes from a talented family – you might remember the fabulous eyeglass case that Phia’s sister – my friend, the marvelous Meredith – designed and stitched for me from my Pung Chow tiles…:IMG_0857IMG_0859And now Meredith has made the most beautiful coin/card purse for her dear sister – check this out…it is too wonderful (design by Lani) right down to the lovely zipper pull…IMG_2647And of course Meredith would never forget to line the bag in Mah Jongg fabric!IMG_2648How very fortunate Phia is to have this loving and very talented little sister.

WHO CAN HELP LISA?

My dear friend Lisa loves Pung Chow sets as much as I do. She recently found a set in wonderful condition but now needs 8 orphans for Jokers. She wrote: “I need 8 to make jokers. I know that I may never get them, but the hunt is fun.”

Who can help? BTW, these are not the Pung Chow tiles with the colored Flowers. All the images are black on the Pyralin tile.

Shoot me an email if you can match these tiles: Lisa tells me that the measurements are 1 3/16 long, 7/8 wide and 3/8 deep.

photo

WOW – WHAT A GIFT!!!

Sometimes I am a bit late in checking my mail…I finally got around to picking up the past week’s mail late on Sunday evening…imagine my surprise to find an envelope from Meredith, one of my star students. I couldn’t wait to get upstairs to open it up and WOW, was I ever surprised to find the most fabulous eyeglass case that she had stitched for me. It is SO FABULOUS and I am SO THRILLED to have it…not to mention how impressed I am by her beautiful handwork. Her stitches are PERFECT!

Here is the front (and could those images be of my beloved Pung Chow Flowers? – Meredith is amazing!):

IMG_0856And the back:IMG_0858And even the lining is fabulous:IMG_0859I’m still trying to find the right words of thanks to give to Meredith – this is a gift I will not only use every single day but I will treasure it always. 

Monday I went out to lunch with a friend and couldn’t stop bragging about this fabulous eyeglass case – my friend loved it and couldn’t get over the beautiful and perfect stitching. Thank you, Meredith!!!IMG_0860