Giochi dell'Oca e di percorso (by Luigi Ciompi & Adrian Seville)

	Torna alla ricerca giochi (back to game search)
Wallis's New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness

Versione stampabile

Invia una segnalazione

	primo autore:	Anonimo
	secondo autore:	Wallis
	anno:	1830ca
	luogo:	Inghilterra-Londra
	periodo:	XIX secolo (2°/4)
	percorso:	Percorso di 84 caselle numerate
	materiale:	carta incollata su tela (engraving on paper with linen backing)
	dimensioni:	647X496
	stampa:	Litografia colorata a mano (hand-coloured engraving)
	luogo acquisto:
	data acquisto:
	dimensioni confezione:
	numero caselle:	84
	categoria:	Geografia
	tipo di gioco:	Gioco di percorso
	editore:	Wallis Edward, 42 Skinner Street
	stampatore:	Wallis Edward, 42 Skinner Street
	proprietario:	Collezione E. C.
	autore delle foto:	E. C.
	numero di catalogo:	1332
	descrizione:	Gioco di 84 caselle indicate da numeri riportate sulla carta geografica dell'America del Sud. REGOLE: allegate. CASELLE: mute. REFERENZA 1 "Wallis’s New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness". (V&A Museum). The Wilderness in this case is South America, a country that would have been unknown and mysterious to most people at the time that this game was published. There are 84 playing spaces and the direction of play is a circular one, beginning and ending on the north coast. The rules booklet that originally accompanied this game is missing, so the progression of play with its rewards and forfeits is unknown. Physical description Design: etching, coloured by hand; 16 sections mounted on linen showing a map of South America N°of squares: 84 Squares illustrated: as a map Square numbering: all Squares titled: in booklet Subject of starting square: northern coast line with 2 men Subject of ending square: northern coast line with birds Place of Origin: London Date: 1818-1847 Artist/maker: Wallis, Edward Materials and Techniques: Hand-coloured etching on linen Dimensions: Height: 64.7 cm; width: 49.6 cm Object history note: contained in a cloth covered slip case with stamped gilt title. There is no booklet with this game but it will be played in the same manner as the others. The illustration covers the whole of South America and it is decorated with beasts, people, geographical markings such as mountains, and fish and boats. The title, in lower right corner, shows a palm tree with bird, monkey, tiger (or other striped cat) and crocodile. Historical context note Rewards: extra turns and forward movement Forfeits: missing turns, remaining in same place or backward movement N°of Players: any Equipment required: stock of cards pieces provided with the game, as defined in the Rules Rules: RULES FOR PLAYING THE GAME The players are provided with a Card, containing nine Letters, nine Numbers, two Crosses and one Blank, which are to be cut up on the lines with a pair of scissors. 2. The letters are to be distributed one to each player, according to the number about to play, and the remainder laid aside. They are used to mark each player's position o the Game. 3. The numbers, crosses and blank are to be placed in a lady's reticule, and drawn in turn, one by each player, after the manner of a lottery. 4. Each player, on drawing a number, is to place his letter on the same number in the Game, and read the description aloud. When it is his turn to draw another, he adds them together and advances his letter to that number which they make when so added, reading as before, and observing any directions which may be given him. But if he draw a cross, he is to draw again, till he obtain a number, which number is to be deducted from, instead of added to his former station, and his letter moved back accordingly. Each card to be returned to the bag after drawing. 5. Whoever draws a blank, remains at his former number. 6. After each player has drawn once, the Game is to be continued in the same manner, passing the bag round, till some one makes up the exact number 84 so wins the Game. 7. If a player go beyond No. 84 he must go as many back as he had exceeded it, and the lottery must continue till some one makes up the exact number. 8. If two players arrive at the same number, the one who arrived last must go back to his former number. 9. When a player is sent back to any place, he is not to read the description, or attend to the directions in italics, and when sent forward he is only to read the description and stop there till his turn to draw again. Descriptive line: Hand coloured geographical race game, Wanderers in the Wilderness, published in England by Edward Wallis between 1818 and 1847. REFERENZA 2 WHITEHOUSE, Francis Reginald Beaman, (pag. 16): WANDERERS IN THE WILDERNESS Wallis's new game. London. Edward Wallis, 42 Skinner Street, (Undated) A coloured lithograph: mounted in 16 sections on linen contained in slip-case, cloth-covered and with title in gilt. The game is a map of South America drawn in perspective, showing mountains, rivers, trees, etc., with animals, serpents and birds, while at the top, swimming in the sea is a fish and whale, which, being partly submerged, gives the portion showing above water the appearance of a serpent, providing perhaps the explanation of early reports of such monsters having been seen. The two copies of this game in the author’s possession are so nearly alike as regards the adding of coloured detail that they were obviously done, if not by the same hand, certainly from a master copy, and the price charged 100 years ago for these games (about 7s. 6d. each) cannot be considered excessive. This is a companion game to "The Star-Spangled Banner or Emigrants to U.S.A.”. The book of rules printed by Passmore, Great Guildford Street, describes the towns visited, and is a joy to read, e.g.: 9: The mighty Amazons River or Maragnon, the largest in the world. It flows from Peru to the Atlantic a distance of 5000 miles, and is 180 miles wide at the mouth. 10: Look at the large creature swimming up the river! It is a water-serpent, 40 feet long at least. 17: What cry was that? So much like a man. O! there is an opossum with a crab he has jerked out of the water, pinching his tail in self-defence. 22: Hark at the horrid sounds which proceed from the forest! It is the death roar of a jaguar which an immense Boa-Constrictor is in the act of crushing to a jelly. 45: Night is coming on, but never mind, for though the moon does not shine we will catch two or three of these brilliant Fireflies, one of which will afford light enough to read a book by. 52: JUAN FERNANDEZ. This is the island where Robinson Crusoe lived so many years. His real name was Alexander Selkirk. 62: LIMA. ls not yet recovered from the dreadful earthquake which in 1746 destroyed 5000 of its inhabitants. 66: I see the track of CAYMEN in the mud. Ah! there is one. He plunges in the stream with an unhappy negro whom he has surprised in his tremendous jaws. Now the shrieks of his struggling victim are stifled beneath the waves, (Imagine the nightmares this game must have caused when played before bed-time, for most of its 85 stops are tragic ones.) 84: How brilliant are the colours of those little Humming Birds! They look like living diamonds as they dart from flower toflower: and see, there is a Bird of Paradise, displaying his elegant plumage. What would some ladies in England give for his skin, to adorn their heads! REFERENZA 3 Wallis’s New Game of Wanderers in the Wilderness - Wallis’neues Spiel: Wanderer in der Wildnis London, 1818-1847 Kupferstich, handkoloriert, 67,5X51,5 cm Verlag: Edward Wallis, London (Spiel); Passmore, London (Broschuere) "\/Velcome, galant friends, to the shores of South Arnerica" so begruesst Wanderers in the Wilderness die Spieler auf Feld 1 in Guyana an der Atlantikkueste im Norden Suedamerikas. Wanderers in the Wilderness war eines der erfolgreichsten und praechtigsten Spiele von John und spaeter Edward Wallis. Der Verlag in der Skinner Street in London publizierte neben geografischen Spielen vor allem Landkarten fuer Reisen in alle Welt. Die Wildnis wird auf 84 Feldern in einer spiralfoermigen Bewegung erkundet. Dem Spiel, das durch die perspektivische Darstellung den Blick auf einzelne Orte und auf die Pflanzen- und Tierwelt Suedamerikas freigibt, ist eine eng bedruckte, zwoelfseitige Broschuere mit ausfuehrlichen, mitunter launigen Beschreibungen beigelegt. Aus ihr muss jeder Spieler bei Betreten eines Feldes die zugehoerige Passage vorlesen. Die Wanderer werden auf ihrer Rundreise von Einheimischen begleitet, der Erzaehler gibt sich im langen einleitenden Kommentar auf Feld 1 als Plantagenbesitzer zu erkennen und als Anhaenger der Abolition-Bewegung, also als Gegner der Sklaverei. Man reist mit leichtem Gepaeck, unbewaffnet - und barfuss: "You will want neither shoes nor stockings, for we shall find no burning sands as in Africa, and rocks in this part of the continent are rare". Suedamerika war trotz der Vorstoesse der spanischen und deutschen Konquistadoren, die sich seit dem 16. Jahrhundert auf die Suche nach dem Dorado begeben hatten, zu Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts noch weitgehend eine Terra incognita. Die beruehmte Expedition von 1799 bis 1804 von Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) und Aimé Jacques Alexandre Bonpland (1773-1858) entzauberte zwar viele Mythen, die den Kontinent umrankten, das lnnere Suedamerikas war aber weitgehend unerforscht. ln Wanderers in the Wilderness erscheint Natur ambivalent: einerseits als exotisches Idyll im romantischen Sinn, durch das man sich wie in einem Paradiesgarten bewegt, andererseits ist sie bedrohlich, wild und monstroes. Das Spiel ist eines der sehr seltenen Laufspiele, die weder mit Wuerfel noch mit Drehkreisel ("Teetotum") gespielt werden. Der Zufall wird hier durch Ziehen von Kaertchen mit Nummern von 1 bis 9 generiert. Spielregeln 1. Die Spieler benoetigen ein Kartenset, das Buchstabenkarten, neun Karten mit Zahlen (1-9), zwei mit Kreuzen und eine leere Karte umfasst (Anm.: Dem Originalspiel war ein Ausschneidebogen beigelegt die Karten koennen leicht selbst hergestellt werden). 2. Die Buchstabenkarten (...) werden an die Spieler verteilt, sie bezeichnen die einzelnen Spieler (Start ist auf Feld 1). 3. Die Karten mit den Zahlen, den Kreuzen und die leere Karte werden in einen Beutel (einer Dame) gelegt, die Karten werden wie bei einer Lotterie daraus gezogen. 4. (...) Bei jeder Zahl, die er zieht, geht er die entsprechende Anzahl von Schritten vorwaerts. Bei jedem Feld liest der Spieler laut aus der Beschreibung vor. Zieht der Spieler eine Karte mit einem Kreuz, so muss er nochmals ziehen, bis er eine Karte mit Zahl zieht, die er jedoch dann rueckwaerts gehen muss anstatt vorwaerts. Nach jedem Ziehen wird die verwendete Karte in den Beutel zurueckgelegt. 5. Wer die leere Karte zieht, muss aussetzen. 6. Das Spiel wird auf die beschriebene Art und Weise reihum fortgesetzt, bis ein Spieler exakt auf dem Feld mit der Nummer 84 landet und so das Spiel gewinnt. 7. Zieht ein Spieler ueber 84 hinaus, so muss er die Anzahl der zu viel gezogenen Punkte zurueckgehen; das Ziehen der Karten wird so lange fortgesetzt, bis jemand die exakte Anzahl bis zum Ziel gezogen hat. 8. Landen zwei Spieler gleichzeitig auf demselben Feld, so muss der zweite Spieler auf seinem vorherigen Feld stehen bleiben. 9. Muss ein Spieler zu einem vorherigen Feld zurueckgehen, so gelten die Anweisungen auf diesem Feld fuer ihn nicht. Er muss auf dem Feld stehen bleiben und seinen naechsten Wurf abwarten. Felder (Auszug) 1 Demara. 2 Anhalten! Ein Maulbeerbaum. 3 Eine Camoudi-Schlange (textboa scytale) resp. Bull Killer - Nochmals ziehen! 4 Wilder Pfeilwurz. 5 Eingeborene bei der Ernte des Wourali, dessen Gift auch fuer die Pfeile verwendet wird. Ein armer Hund, an dem das Gift in London 1815 ausprobiert wurde, starb in zwoelf Minuten. 6 Ein weisser Vogel, groesser als ein Schwan, den man fuer einen Pelikan halten koennte. Frueher glaubte man, er ernaehrte den Nachwuchs mit seinem eigenen Blut. 7 Draussen am Meer Fregattenvoegel. 8 Der Koenig der Geier beim Fruehstueck. 9 Der Amazonas oder Maragnon, der laengste Fluss der Welt. - Vorruecken entlang des Flusses bis Feld 24! 10 Eine Wasserschlange, zumindest zwoelf Meter lang! - Ruecke vor bis Feld 32! 11 Chinchona (Roter Chinarindenbaum), eine wertvolle Medizin gegen Schuettelfrost und Fieber. 12 Zwei Ziegenmelker (Nachtschwalben), aberglaeubige Menschen dachten frueher, dass diese Voegel naechtens heimlich Ziegen melken. 13 Eine Christuspalme, mehr als sechs Meter hoch. 14 Eine Maniokpflanze (Cassava), die Brotfrucht der lndios. - Noch einmal ziehen! 15 Ein schoener, schneeweisser Reiher. 16 Eine der groessten und staerksten Schlangen der Welt, die Coulacanara, eine Boa constrictor. 17 Ein Opposum rnit einer Krabbe. 18 Die weissen langbeinigen Voegel sind Loeffler. 19 Die Huetten von Eingeborenen? Nein, es sind Ameisenhuegel, besser nicht stoeren, Angreifer werden in wenigen Stunden vollstaendig Verspeist. 20 Im See einige gelbe Messeraale, Gymnotiforme, ihre elektrischen Schlaege sind sehr schmerzhaft. - Nochmals ziehen! 21 Eine Agave, ihr Saft wird als Medizin, Honig, Essig und Balsam verwendet. 22 Ein graesslicher Todesschrei eines Jaguars, der von einer riesigen Boa constrictor zerquetscht wird wie Pudding. - Hier kommt man nicht vorbei, zurueck auf Feld 7! 23 Kubaflamingos beim morgendlichen Mahl. 24 Glockenvoegel, sehr scheu und gleich wieder im Dickicht des Waldes verschwunden. 25 ln diesem Wald wimmelt es von Affen. 26 Ein erhabener Jatropha-Baum mit langen ovalen Blaettern. 17 Fussspuren eines riesigen Tapirs, das groesste Tier Amerikas. 28 Eine rnonstroese (Jiboya-)Wuergeschlange, die einen wilden Stier umschlungen haelt, urn ihn zu erdruecken. - Einmal aussetzen! 29 Ein maechtiger Baum waechst aus den verwesten Resten eines Maulbeerbaums. 30 Die Kassike, ein Sperlingsvogel, kann jedes Geraeusch imitieren. 31 Unsere Indios bringen zwei praechtige Aras, einer scharlachrot und purpurfarben, der andere blau und gelb. 32 Ein Adler, der in den strahlenden Himmel aufsteigt. 33 Die Cold Mountains, in denen die Fluesse Jijitonhona und Pardo entspringen, wo Diamanten gefunden werden. Nach einem alten Brauch wurde immer dann ein Sklave in die Freiheit entlassen, wenn ein Diamant mit einem Gewicht von 17 Karat oder mehr entdeckt wurde. - Ruecke vor zu 41! 34 Maechtige Schlingpflanzen versperren den Weg. – Zurueck auf Feld 16! 55 Ein dunkelhaeutiger Goldwaescher am Bach. 36 Rio de Janeiro - 2 x aussetzen. 37 Ein Specht auf einem alten Baum. 38 Ein Ozelot, sehr grausam und wild. 39 Nun zu einem guten Essen: ein Wildschweinrudel, 40 Wiederum eine Schlange, eine Labarri- oder Counacouchi! - Zurueck auf Feld 31! 41 Ein Mate-Strauch. Aus seinen Blaettern wird Mate-Tee gebraut, 42 Eine Klapperschlange! - Sofort noch einmal ziehen, sonst bist du das naechste Opfer! 43 Eine Herde edler Wildpferde. 44 Ein Schwarzbaer quert unseren Weg. 45 Wir fangen zwei oder drei Gluehwuermchen - genug Licht, um abends ein Buch zu lesen. 46 Buenos Aires. 47 Das Skelett eines Megatheriums, eines ausgestorbenen Riesenfaultiers, 48 Tausende wilde Rinder, die von Chilenen mit einem Lasso gejagt werden, 49 In Patagonien - Noch einmal ziehen! 50 Auf Feuerland. 51 Ein Maulbeer-Baum. 52 Juan Fernandez, die lnsel, auf der Robinson Crusoe so viele Jahre gelebt hat. Sein wirklicher Name war Alexander Selkirk. - Wer hier landet, scheidet aus! 53 Valparaiso, 54 Das Gebirge Copiapo in den chilenischen Anden. 55 "Fliegende Schlangen", also Schlangen, die einen anspringen, - Ueber den Fluss La Plata zurueck auf Feld 41! 56 Einer unserer lndios wurde im Kampf mit einem Famacosio, einer hundegrossen Wildkatze, verwundet. 57 Trompeter - eine Vogelart. 58 Die Silber-Minen von Potosi. Dort wird das Edelmetall auf Lamas transportiert. 59 Ein Emu - so schnell wie ein Rennpferd! 60 Der Titicaca-See. 61 Ein praechtiger Puma, auch Couguar genannt. 62 ln Lima,das nach dem schrecklichen Erdbeben noch nicht voellig wiederhergestellt ist. 63 Libarri - eine aeusserst giftige Schlange. - Zurueck auf Feld 53! 64 Riesige Vampir - Fledermaeuse, die in den Mammutbaeumen haengen. 65 Die Ufer des maechtigen Amazonas-Flusses, 66 Ein Kaiman im Schlarnm! 67 Untersuche die Blaetter der Nopal-Pflanze. Sie sind von zahlreichen winzigen Marienkaefern bedeckt, 68 Eine Herde von Wild - ein Tier faellt, von einem giftigen Pfeil getroffen, tot zu Boden. 69 Der Chimborazo, er galt lange als der hoechste Berg der Welt. 70 Der grossartige Condor mit mehr als fuenf Meter Fluegelspannweite. 71 Quito, auf den steilen Haengen eines Vulkans erbaut. - Noch einmal ziehen! 72 Der Vulkan Cotopaxi, 73 Ein Manti, ein gefaehrlicher, schlangenartiger Fisch. 74 Ein Guerteltier -wohlschmeckend, gut zu essen. 75 Der grosse Ameisenbaer. 76 Huetten einheimischer lndios, 77 Rast unter einer maechtigen Robinie. 78 Ein Couando, ein amerikanisches Stacheltier, haengt schlafend in den Zweigen. 79 Schau, wo du hintrittst: eine Kolonie grosser brauner Ameisen - nichts kann sie stoppen! 80 Ein Chamaeleon -eines der wunderlichsten Tiere, die du je gesehen hast. 81 Rast am Ufer des Maracaibo-Sees. - 2 x aussetzen! 82 Ein riesiger Jaguar oder Tiger! Er flieht vor uns. 83 Ein Macoushi-Indianer mit seinem Blasrohr auf der Jagd nach einem Toucan. 84 Praechtige bunte Kolibris - "What would some ladies in England give for his skin to adorn their heads!" (Ernst Strouhal) Exhibitions: - "Instruction and Delight: Children's Games from the Ellen and Arthur Liman Collection" (Yale Center for British Art, 17 January-23 May, 2019).
	bibliografia:	1) WHITEHAUSE, F.R.B.: "Table Games of Georgian and Victorian Days", London, Peter Garnett, 1951. 2) GOODFELLOW, Caroline: "A Collector's Guide to Games and Puzzles". Secaucus, New Jersey, Chartwell Books-London, Quintet Publishing Limited 1991. 3) GOODFELLOW, Caroline: "The Development of the English Board Game, 1770-1850", in Board Games Studies 1, 1998. 4) GOODFELLOW, Caroline: "Jeux de société. Le guide du collectionneur des jeux de société depuis le XVIIIe siècle jusqu’à nos jours", (Edizione francese) Carrousel MS, 2001. 5) SEVILLE, Adrian: "The Game of Goose: and its influence on cartographical race games" Journal of the International Map Collectors' Society, Winter 2008 N°115 2008. 6) SEVILLE, Adrian: "The geographical Jeux de l'Oie of Europe." In "Belgeo" 2008 3-4 2008. 7) GOODFELLOW, Caroline: "How We Played: Games From Childhood Past", History Press, 2012. 8) QUINN, Brian - CARTWRIGHT, William: "Geographic Board Games". Geospatial Science Research 3. School of Mathematical and Geospatial Science, RMIT University, Australia. December 2014. 9) SEVILLE, Adrian: "The Royal Game of the Goose four hundred years of printed Board Games". Catalogue of an Exhibition at the Grolier Club, February 23 - May 14, 2016. 10) LIMAN, Ellen: "Georgian and Victorian Board Games: The Liman Collection", Pointed Leaf Press, 2017. 11) NORCIA, Megan A.: "Gaming Empire in Children's British Board Games, 1836-1860". Studies in Childhood, 1700 to the Present. Routledge, 2019. 12) SEVILLE, Adrian: "L'arte dei giochi da tavolo. Oltre un secolo di storia e divertimento dalla fine del Settecento all'inizio del Novecento." Edizioni White Star, 2019. 13) PARLAK, Omer Fatih: "Seafearing through the Perspective of Historic Board Games", in DGSM, Köllen Druck+Verlag, Bonn 2020.
		"The Development of the English Board Game, 1770-1850" (Caroline G. Goodfellow)
		Throughout the 18th century and well into the 19th century, the size of the middle income group of merchants, solicitors, doctors and industrialists grew. Trade flourished and unknown areas were explored. The adventurers who were prepared to open shipping routes and establish trading agreements reaped rich financial rewards. This was an age of enlightenment, invention, innovation and scientific discovery. Games were a part of the industrial and social life of entire nations, reflecting changing ideas and ideals, particularly during periods of major upheaval. The upbringing of children within these middle class families changed dramatically. Education became essential, covering not only the `three Rs’, but sensible grounding in national and international affairs. National pride and achievements were stressed, as were faults. In general, everyone seemed to be looking outwards, to try to understand new concepts. We must, however, when viewing the games of this period, remember to set them against their own time rather than to evaluate them in the light of modern history, knowledge or ideals. The publishers of many of these games were already established producers of maps and books, many of which were aimed at children. The idea of creating an educational tool was, in a way, a novelty. The Game of Goose was already well known and it required few changes to create The Game of Human Life or the History of England. The games were well received by parents who appreciated the educational aspects, the children’s resulting enjoyment and possibly that the games could be played in relative peace and calm. The early games stressed learning through play, but this aspect was gradually dropped in favour of sheer enjoyment of play. However, not all games were that enjoyable despite the claims of their titles. Perhaps the whole logic of such games was summed up by John Harris in the introduction or Advertisement as it was called to his game Historical Pastimes which was published in 1810. “The utility and tendency of this Game must be obvious at first sight; for surely there cannot be a more agreeable study than History, and none more improving to Youth, than that which conveys to them, in a pleasing and comprehensive manner, the Events which have occurred in their own Country. The little prints, which are regularly numbered from 1 to 158, represent either Portraits of principal Personages who have signalised themselves as Kings, Statesmen, Churchmen, Generals, Poets etc., or some remarkable Occurrence in our Country. This will naturally excite a curiousity in the youthful mind; and that curiousity will be gratified in the short account of each reign subjoined. On the whole, the writer flatters himself, that the public approbation will convince him, that the hours he has devoted to the formation of this little Scheme, have not been spent in vain.” It is known from surviving records, paintings and artifacts that games of the period (and today) are played in a similar way to those of ancient civilisations in the near and far east. There are only a few basic methods of playing games and over the past 250 years many thousands of variations have been created. The basic methods of play come down to four types – race games, strategy games, table games and card games. Many were originally developed for adults and were later adapted for children. Today I will be discussing only board games developed in the United Kingdom. It was the race game which above all became the basis for the educational game of the late 18th century and first half of the 19th century. The aim was to win but it was played with an element of chance and normally gambling was included by the means of a central kitty or pool into which players placed an agreed number of counters. Throughout play, rewards were given and penalties paid; sometimes these were the receiving or forfeiting of counters and at other times forward or backward movement on the board itself, though not the removing of markers from the board unless there was a provision for retirement from the game. Why was this format produced for the wealth of educational games, including those teaching morals and behaviour, even though they retained the element of gambling and chance? Quite simply they were exciting to play. Astute publishers could use this characteristic to great advantage to encourage learning and reading skills. The Game of Goose is generally regarded as the prototype of the modern race game. Devised in Italy and taken from much early formats of games played in the Middle and Far East, it was first noted in England by John Wolfe in 1597 as “the Newe and Most Pleasant Game of the Goose”. There were usually 61 or 63 squares or compartments which stressed good and bad behaviour. Of these squares, a number were plain and a number decorated with either a scene or a goose. Landing on a goose was a good move and rewarded, often with the words “double his chance forward”, while if landing on a bad square such as the Ale House a double penalty was paid usually in the form of a counter to the pool and waiting until all others had taken a turn. There were also very severe penalties such as death or overthrowing the end of the game, which required the player to either start again or withdraw from the game completely. One of the earliest versions of this game was published about 1725 by John Bowls & Son and one of the latest during the 1980s. In general the format was a spiral or a flattened spiral but occasionally a new design was made, for example a one published by Richard Holmes Laurie, November 22, 1831. It shows a huge goose with three golden eggs set against a country scene. Variations of a theme were numerous. Laurie & Whittle, successors to Robert Sayers (they in turn were succeeded by Richard Holmes Laurie) continued to publish The Royal Pastime of Cupid Or Entertaining Game of The Snake which was based on the ancient Egyptian Game of the Snake, however, possibly in design only and not in rules. The reissuing of existing and popular games, often by successors to a business, was common. In many cases, no changes were made; in other case’s additions were included to update a game, particular ones on history or geography. All that a publisher needed to do was change the name and date of publication. Perhaps one of the best games of a goose was The New and Favourite Game of Mother Goose and The Golden Egg. It shows episodes and characters from the pantomime of the same title and includes Clown and Harlequin and places in London. It was published at the height of the career of Grimaldi the Clown, in September 1808, by John Wallis. Many of the first publishers of games were in fact cartographers and they quickly included the race game idea into game of Geography. The spiral format was not used; it was replaced by a map – of England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland (collectively or individually), of Europe or of the world. One of the first publishers was Robert Sayers, working from 53 Fleet Street. He published much for children including puzzles and other games. Having started in 1745, he was succeeded in 1794 by Laurie and Whittle. The ideas for geographical games are summed up in a statement in the booklet of Geographical Recreations or A Voyage around the Habitable Globe, 1809. “The game, consisting of 116 little prints of the most interesting objects in Geography, is designed to familiarise youth with the names and relative situations of places, together with the manners, customs and dresses of the different nations in the habitable globe; and, as curiousity will naturally be excited by the scenes which present themselves, and the observations likely to occur, it is presumed that these, with an occasional reference to the Synopsis herewith given, will prove a continual source of amusement to young people of both sexes, and will furnish such a fund of geographical knowledge, as may prove equally beneficial in reading and conversation.” This statement shows the high hopes that many publishers had for their games. The geographical ones could be boring to look at, they were simply maps, often surrounded with vast texts. One wonders now as we play these games, were the youths of both sexes excited, amused or entertained by any of them. Often the titles were more exciting than the games. There were The Tours of Europe, England and Wales by John Wallis, The Royal Geographical Amusement of The Safe and Expedious Traveller, The Royal Geographical Pastime. By the mid-19th century, many geographical games were devised on a pictorial note rather than simply maps. The historical and geographical games are quite illuminating when studying them for the context. To the modern reader, one may be surprised to see how well informed many of the comments could be. For example in A Tour Through The British Colonies and Foreign Possessions, published by John Betts, there is expressed disapproval in the selling of alcohol and weapons to North American Indians and the accepted fact that Sebastian Cabot rediscovered Newfoundland in 1496. William Darton, on the other hand, with his beautiful game The Noble Game of The Elephant and Castle, Or Travelling in Asia, 1822, seemed quite mystified by the strange ways and creatures found there for which there was no ‘rational’ explanation; this included a woolly mammoth. The games of geography essentially looked at the world from a British viewpoint but the publishers did acknowledge that other places and people might be interesting. The history based games, however, were altogether more inward looking and usually strictly based on events as they affected the British Isles. During the period under discussion, King George III was on the throne for most of the time, from 1760 to 1820. He and his son became the focal points for the games whether or not the events actually happened during their lifetimes. The second rather amazing fact is that for many of the history games, nothing happened before 1066 and the invasion of William the Conqueror. There are a few exceptions. One was The New Game of Universal History and Chronology, published in 1814 by John Wallis. This game starts with Adam and Eve, Anno Mundi 1. All the dates are given with great conviction, for example the Universal Deluge occurred in AM 1636. One now wonders how this knowledge was lost between then and today. The games of history had many squares, often more than 150, and of course by reducing the period of history covered more details could be included. The games were often re-issued and reworked with changes being added in or adapted, especially with the death of the kings. George the Third reigned for so long, that a game was published by John Harris to celebrate his Jubilee in 1810. The squares showed events of his lifetime and the text in the accompanying booklet was very flowery when in praise of the king but was equally robust when describing some of the more disagreeable events. Included also were scientific and geographical discoveries. Ten years later John Harris reworked The Jubilee as The Sun of Brunswick to celebrate the new king, George IV. The last 20 odd compartments were redone to include the deaths of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, Charlotte Augusta the daughter of George IV, who was in a fact heir to the throne and known as Princess of Wales, and of George III himself. By the 1840s, Queen Victoria was on the throne and one of the most important new inventions was the railway, both were added to reissue games. Gradually both history and geography-based games were replaced by other forms of games and of course, methods of learning. But these subjects were not the only ones to be treated in this way. Mathematics, natural history and languages were also subjected to the race game format though generally these games were not as attractive to look at. However, if played correctly, they were enjoyable ways of learning. An Arithmetical Pastime was published in 1791 by C. Taylor. It had 100 circles, some of which contained illustrations while others had directions and forfeits to be paid. The forfeits were repeating tables, some of which were obvious such as the times tables, others were less so, for example the wine measures. Other tables are not now used – the avoirdupois, for example, measured pounds and ounces. If a player could not meet the forfeit, he had the choice of missing turns or moving backwards. A later version, with the same title, had quite different rules and used two teetotums for the moves and to learn the mathematical disciplines. The players had to subtract, multiply or divide the two numbers given by the teetotums and the result formed the move. Used to accompany the game was a set of verses to be read out and a list of further rewards or forfeits. This version was the ultimate teacher as it taught everything - morals, history, geography and arithmetic. inked to mathematical games were those of astronomy. Science in Sport or The Pleasures of Astronomy, published 1804 by John Wallis, had 35 compartments with the portraits of astronomers and representations of astronomical phenomena. At the time nine planets and their movements around the sun were known, however, these were added to with fictional representations, for example The Man in the Moon. Often behaviour traits, The Studious Boy and the Blockhead, signs of the zodiac, comets, rainbows and even known astrologers were shown. The Circle of Knowledge, published about 1845 by John Passmore, included the zodiac around the central compartment. Unlike many games of the time, it was arranged in four concentric circles. As well as the zodiac and the four cardinal compass points, Europe, Asia, America and Africa were shown, together with the four seasons, the four houses of the zodiac and the four sciences - electricity, chemistry, optics and astronomy. The illustrations too were unusual, for example fire was illustrated by a volcano, a burning farm and a pit explosion while optics were shown as a giant telescope, a magic lantern show and the perspective of a tunnel. One of the best games of natural history was William Darton’s 1820 version of British and Foreign Animals. The subtitle again gave graphic details about the aims of the publisher with “A New Game, Moral, Instructive and Amusing, designed to allure the Minds of Youth to an Acquaintance with the Wonders of Nature.” Both domestic and wild animals were included, even the Australian kangaroo. A companion game published by Darton in 1822 had the wonderful title The Delicious Game of The Fruit Basket or The Novel and Elegant Game of The Basket of Fruit. Sadly only the design and title were delicious as the game dwelt mainly on penitentiaries and trial by jury, the Royal Academy, hospitals, national schools and the School for the Blind, sciences and religion. Both games while following the principles of rewards and forfeits were very much a teaching tool. William Darton’s games seemed to have a sombre side as many were very moral and rather disagreeable in tone yet beautifully executed. He later produced one which should have cheered everyone up, called A Voyage of Discovery or The Five Navigators, 1836. However, it dealt with the dangers and incidents likely to befall sailors. We have touched on the games teaching history, geography and so on but the final main group was that of morals; these games were extended forms of the original Game of the Goose. Within many of the previously mentioned games, morals were included, however, the publishers devised many more which were very strict. Often they had good titles and possibly the best was The New Game of Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished for The Amusement of Youth of Both Sexes, published in 1820 by William Darton. A generation earlier, a similar subtitle was “Designed for the Amusement of Youth of Both Sexes and Calculated to Inspire their Minds with an Abhorrence of Vice and a Love of Virtue.” Taken from The New Game of Emulation, published by John Harris in 1804, this game actually showed many images a child would actually come across, a shepherd with his flock, a church, school, even a rocking horse while the almost cryptic words “cheerfully exert themselves to obtain an honorary prize” while being “perfectly aware of the consequences of disgrace and naturally dread it” rather deadened the pleasing illustrations. Two methods of teaching morals or behaviour were produced, though both used the same games format. One method was based on the passage of life from infancy to old age and death and showed the temptations one might meet along the way. These tended to have straight formal titles such as The Game of Human Life and more often than not were based on the male life to the exclusion of females. However, the games were not restricted to boys playing them, as the subtitle to The Game of Human Life states “...most Agreeable and Rational Recreation ever Invented for Youth of Both Sexes.” Parents were encouraged to instruct their children on each of the characters, usually 84, with “a few moral and judicious observations... and contrast the happiness of a virtuous and well spent life with the fatal consequences arising from vicious and immoral pursuits”. Most of the characters have the same meanings today although some of the pursuits would not now draw penalties, for example The Romance Writer must pay two and move back to the Mischievous Child and the Dramatist must pay four and begin again. The Tragic Author has the harshest as he advances to the Immortal Man and dies but to compensate him he actually wins the pool or kitty by finishing first. The game quoted was published in 1790 by John Wallis and Elizabeth Newbery. (While we are discussing only English games of this period, there are some very fine French and German examples of The Game of Human Life, often far more intricate in design.) The second method, developed slightly later, was stricter and based on the fundamental principles that if you behave properly all bodes well, but if you slip from the straight and narrow the penalties are severe. These titles were much more lucid with The Cottage of Content or Right Road and Wrong Ways, The Journey, The Mansion of Bliss and The Mansion of Happiness. (This latter one is also the title of one of the first American board games, published by W & S B Ives in 1843.) Penalties were paid for often routine bad traits – straying, boasting, wasting time, idleness, self-indolence, obstinacy, ignorance, pride, conceit and forgetfulness; other traits were considered very bad - theft, lying, drunkenness, cheating. In most of the games there were more bad than good traits – recollection, repentance, patience, kindness, exertion and diligence. Snakes & Ladders was the game which took over the teaching of morals, and it was a version of a game introduced from India. Like the earlier versions, there were more snakes, the baddies, than ladders, generally 12 to 8. By the middle of the 19th century new processes were being introduced, lithography had been developed which was cheaper than the engraving and etching processes, even though the publishers had been one of the first groups to involve themselves in new technology – the use of static steam presses instead of hand operated ones. Many of the original group had died. The men and women who developed these early teaching games seemed to be inspired and that inspiration seemed to die with them. New publishers, new methods of production, new methods of teaching and new games formats changed the look of the board games and the very reasons for their existence. As we study them today, however, the games remain excellent teaching tools. We learn from these games the history and social life of the people, what they felt was important and how they regarded themselves in relationship to the rest of the world and other cultures. Publishers Mentioned John Wallis, with sons John and Edward; one of the most prolific publishers of games and dissected puzzles between 1775 and 1847. Also worked with John Harris and Elizabeth Newbery. Elizabeth Newbery, part of the leading publishing family of children’s literature during the 18th century; John Harris managed her establishment. Worked with John Wallis John Harris, took over Elizabeth Newbery’s business in 1801 and worked until it was sold in 1843. Robert Sayer, one of the earliest publishers of children’s games, 1745-1794. Laurie & Whittle, Robert Laurie and James Whittle; acquired the business of Robert Sayer in 1794. Richard Holmes Laurie succeeded Robert on his death in 1812 and James Whittle on his death in 1818. Also worked with other publishers including William Darton. William Darton, established 1787 and under went many name changes depending on the partners and sons. The William referred to here was the son who opened his own establishment in 1804. John Betts, leading 19th century publisher between 1827 and 1874. John Passmore, published from 1840 to 1869.
		Geographical Games. "Table Games of Georgian and Victorian Days". (Francis Reginald Beaman, Whitehause)

Vai alla ricerca giochi         Vai all'elenco autori