Alexander Elliot Cramer, my father, lived a life filled with entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. In his early years, he embraced the excitement of travel and sales, working on steamships and railroads as a "peanut butcher" selling refreshments to passengers. This formative experience ignited his passion for business.
In the 1940s, he opened a clothing store in San Francisco, a venture my mother courageously managed while my father served our country in World War II. Upon his return, they continued to run the store throughout the 1950s, bringing his unyielding determination and love for commerce to every transaction.
In 1954, our family moved to Menlo Park, California. My father's entrepreneurial spirit led him to transform his business from a clothing store to a vibrant toy store in Palo Alto. By the 1970s, this store had evolved into a beloved game, gift, and luggage emporium. It was during this period that he founded The Alex Cramer Co., introducing a range of high-quality games like chess, backgammon, and, most notably, dominoes.
Despite the influx of low-cost imports in the 1970s that threatened the chess and backgammon market, my father found his niche in dominoes and dice cups. His unwavering commitment to excellence made Alex Cramer domino sets and dice cups the gold standard. He took immense pride in offering the finest dominoes and dice cups, unmatched in quality and craftsmanship.
My father's dedication to his business was nothing short of inspirational. Even as he aged, he remained a tireless worker, personally managing orders and nurturing cherished relationships with customers. He continued to be actively involved in product development until his health began to decline in his 97th year. He passed away in February 2007, leaving behind a legacy of passion and quality.
After his death, I made a heartfelt decision to continue the business, determined to preserve his unwavering standards of excellence. While modernizing certain aspects, our mission remains the same: to uphold the traditions and values of the Alex Cramer Company. With my two sons by my side, the future of our family business looks bright and promising.
Irl Cramer
Manhattan Beach, California
July 2024
Since 1975, the Alex Cramer Company® has been synonymous with excellence, offering the premier dice cups on the market. Each product is meticulously crafted to provide players with an unparalleled experience. We are devoted to delivering superior quality in everything we produce and take immense pride in offering exceptional customer service.
DICE CUPS BUILT TO ENDURE Our club regulation-size dice cups are crafted with passion and precision, using select oak-tanned "sole" leathers, skived to a feather edge and elegantly curved into a perfect circle. The special corrugated, "noiseless" rubber liner ensures a quiet dice shaking experience, while the leather trim at the cup rim guarantees reliable tumbling of the dice. Constructed with heavy-duty materials, these dice cups are robust enough to stand on and weighted to provide a satisfying feel in the hand. The very deep brown buffed finish, which appears almost black, adds a touch of sophistication. Powerful sewing machines meticulously stitch the rim, and the hand-stretched padded calfskin leather bottom exemplifies our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
ARTISANALLY CRAFTED DICE CUP CASES Our dice cup cases are genuine "works of art," crafted from hand-selected American Black Walnut, sourced from the U.S. and Canada. These cases feature softened corners and a refined finish that highlights the wood grain's natural beauty. The lacquered finish is sanded smooth and hand-rubbed with Danish Oil, accented by elegant brushed brass latches and hinges.
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA Our domino and dice cases are proudly assembled in the USA, showcasing robust "splined" construction for enhanced durability and longevity.
OUR UNBREAKABLE GUARANTEE We confidently back our products with an unbreakable guarantee. Every item is guaranteed for life against defects or breakage. Our "no questions asked" return and replacement policy ensures our customers' complete satisfaction.
COMPLIMENTARY REPLACEMENT SERVICE We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction. Should you lose one of your dice, we will provide a free replacement, reinforcing our dedication to your gaming pleasure.
