Vintage Table Soccer with Three Knobs, 1921

This charming foosball table, with its worn and authentic look, exudes an unmistakable vintage appeal that takes us back to a time when playing was a simple and genuine moment of sharing. The visible wear on the wood and metal details tells stories of passionate matches, laughter, and friendly challenges that have unfolded over time.

Regarding its origin and dating, it’s interesting to note that foosball, also known as “fútbolín” in Spain, has a somewhat debated history. Two names often come up in the search for the inventor of this iconic game: Harold Searles Thornton, an Englishman who registered a patent for “foosball” in 1921, and Alejandro Finisterre, a Spaniard who, during the Spanish Civil War in 1937, devised a version of the game to lift the spirits of injured children.

Looking at this particular piece, it’s difficult to definitively attribute its creation to one of these inventors without further details or markings that could identify it. However, the aesthetics and materials used—wood and metal—suggest a creation that might be placed in the mid-20th century, a period when foosball became extremely popular throughout Europe.

This specific example could be an authentic piece of popular design, an object that, despite its humble origins, has the power to evoke memories of childhood and family gatherings. While we can’t definitively assign it a signature or an exact date, its presence and current condition make it an object of great historical and sentimental value.

In conclusion, whether it’s linked to Thornton’s English history or Finisterre’s Spanish tradition, this foosball table remains an enduring symbol of play and conviviality, a silent witness to the passage of time and the emotions it has been able to evoke.