Vintage English handmade mahogany Close the Box game from estate of Stephen Sondheim

It is likely Stephen first encountered the game Close the Box on a pub visit during one of his many sojourns to the United Kingdom. That is also where he is likely to have purchased the game. It was handmade of mahogany in Buckinghamshire sometime in the 50s or 60s. The box is 8.5"x11.75." It is in excellent condition and, as far as I can tell, was very rarely, if ever taken out of its box. The instructions for playing the game are included on the box and it is still being sold today AKA Shut the Box. This is a much more elegant version than those being sold today and, of course, comes with the added value of having been owned by Stephen Sondheim who may very well, with his friends, have played with it. The game was sold as part of lot 119 by Doyle on November 14, 2024, and will be accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity identifying the lot number and sale date.