Games
BOL-E-Z
Table Dice Bowling Game
Circa: 1955
Manufactured By: ARKREN GAME CO., Buffalo, NY
The game allowed for playing of Duck, Candle or Regulation ABC Bowling "...with a roll of "ZING" Dice!" This game was invented by my Grandfather. Herman was a pattern maker by trade, an excellent woodworker, and had a very keen mind. He was also an avid bowler. Herman passed on in the mid 70's.
One version of the game, the earlier one, came in a 9" tall (overall with cap installed), 2-3/16" diameter separable cardboard tube with a metal bottom and a black cap on the top. The removable cap is used as the dice shaker cup. The cap measures 3-1/4" and also has a metal end. It is labeled 'Travel Kit'. The label is very colorful in yellow, black, red, white and blue. The kit contains 20 special dice, Regulation Score Sheets, Shaker (the cap), a pencil, and illustrated game instructions. The other version, the home model, came in a cardboard box with the same shaker. Both versions display very well since they have equally nice graphics on their lithographed labels. The instruction sheet is printed in color; the scoresheets in black ink on 'white' paper.
Over the evolutionary period of the game, the dice were of several types. The earliest were hand made in my Grandfather's basement. They were made of hardwood and have rounded edges. Those with letters were stamped and then hand colored. Dots were drilled one by one into the dice. The dots were then hand painted and finish coated. It was a very time consuming process and it became more difficult to make them in the basement as sales increases became iminent. Later versions of BOL-E-Z came with manufactured plastic dice.
BOL-E-Z failed to catch on with the general public because a short time after it's emergence, another dice bowling game called 'Spare Time' was introduced to the market. The actual games themselves were played entirely differently. Spare Time came in a red and white plastic case shaped like a bowling pin. It separated in the center and the bottom (white) half became the dice shaker. Since it was packaged more cleverly, it won out in popularity over BOL-E-Z on the store shelves.
At one point, my Granfather's attic was loaded with BOL-E-Z games that would not sell and He was forced to get out of the game business. Over the years, many of these games were thrown in the trash. People simply did not want them, not even for free. There were not that many of these games made (100's?) Some were sold, but there are no records to indicate how many. Now there are only about 10 known to be in existence, most possessed by my cousin and I. None of these are in pristine condition. It's a wonder any at all survived the attic cleanout. It was necessary to place Herman in the care of a Nursing home and his house needed to be emptied. Since most family members had heard and seen about all they could take of BOL-E-Z, they had no interest in saving any. I am a saver. Herman taught me "waste not, want not." Fortunately, He also taught my cousin the same lesson and we felt that it would be a shame to throw them all out. Our parents would not allow us to take as many as we would have liked to have kept! A recent search through old pictures, etc. yielded some of the original documentation on the game's design. A Blueprint of the design of the Instruction Sheet (drawn by Herman's son Melvin) was with the documentation that was found.
Other games were also in the works at that time, but only on a prototype level. I believe that BOL-E-Z would be at this point considered to be highly desireable to the serious Game collector who wants to possess something truly rare for his private collection. I will retain one for my personal collection always. My cousin will probably do the same. At this point there are a limited number available for sale to collectors only and offers are being accepted. No dealer's please. All Reasonable offers will be considered. The few remaining available games will be sold to the highest bidders.
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BOL-E-Z
Table Dice Bowling Game
Circa: 1955
Manufactured By: ARKREN GAME CO., Buffalo, NY
The game allowed for playing of Duck, Candle or Regulation ABC Bowling "...with a roll of "ZING" Dice!" This game was invented by my Grandfather. Herman was a pattern maker by trade, an excellent woodworker, and had a very keen mind. He was also an avid bowler. Herman passed on in the mid 70's.
One version of the game, the earlier one, came in a 9" tall (overall with cap installed), 2-3/16" diameter separable cardboard tube with a metal bottom and a black cap on the top. The removable cap is used as the dice shaker cup. The cap measures 3-1/4" and also has a metal end. It is labeled 'Travel Kit'. The label is very colorful in yellow, black, red, white and blue. The kit contains 20 special dice, Regulation Score Sheets, Shaker (the cap), a pencil, and illustrated game instructions. The other version, the home model, came in a cardboard box with the same shaker. Both versions display very well since they have equally nice graphics on their lithographed labels. The instruction sheet is printed in color; the scoresheets in black ink on 'white' paper.
Over the evolutionary period of the game, the dice were of several types. The earliest were hand made in my Grandfather's basement. They were made of hardwood and have rounded edges. Those with letters were stamped and then hand colored. Dots were drilled one by one into the dice. The dots were then hand painted and finish coated. It was a very time consuming process and it became more difficult to make them in the basement as sales increases became iminent. Later versions of BOL-E-Z came with manufactured plastic dice.
BOL-E-Z failed to catch on with the general public because a short time after it's emergence, another dice bowling game called 'Spare Time' was introduced to the market. The actual games themselves were played entirely differently. Spare Time came in a red and white plastic case shaped like a bowling pin. It separated in the center and the bottom (white) half became the dice shaker. Since it was packaged more cleverly, it won out in popularity over BOL-E-Z on the store shelves.
At one point, my Granfather's attic was loaded with BOL-E-Z games that would not sell and He was forced to get out of the game business. Over the years, many of these games were thrown in the trash. People simply did not want them, not even for free. There were not that many of these games made (100's?) Some were sold, but there are no records to indicate how many. Now there are only about 10 known to be in existence, most possessed by my cousin and I. None of these are in pristine condition. It's a wonder any at all survived the attic cleanout. It was necessary to place Herman in the care of a Nursing home and his house needed to be emptied. Since most family members had heard and seen about all they could take of BOL-E-Z, they had no interest in saving any. I am a saver. Herman taught me "waste not, want not." Fortunately, He also taught my cousin the same lesson and we felt that it would be a shame to throw them all out. Our parents would not allow us to take as many as we would have liked to have kept! A recent search through old pictures, etc. yielded some of the original documentation on the game's design. A Blueprint of the design of the Instruction Sheet (drawn by Herman's son Melvin) was with the documentation that was found.
Other games were also in the works at that time, but only on a prototype level. I believe that BOL-E-Z would be at this point considered to be highly desireable to the serious Game collector who wants to possess something truly rare for his private collection. I will retain one for my personal collection always. My cousin will probably do the same. At this point there are a limited number available for sale to collectors only and offers are being accepted. No dealer's please. All Reasonable offers will be considered. The few remaining available games will be sold to the highest bidders.
Here are some more games...
More Games will be added soon!
Return to ajumpahead.net HOME