Not currently on display at the V&A

the mirror of truth

Board Game
1811 n (published)
Place of origin

Design: hand coloured engraving in 15 panels mounted on linen; card slipcase; booklet printed in letterpress
No. of squares: 45
Squares illustrated: 32
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: 13
Subject of starting square: preacher
Subject of ending square: the temple of happiness


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Slipcase
  • Board Game
  • Booklet
Titles
  • the mirror of truth (manufacturer's title)
  • or game of anecdotes (manufacturer's title)
Brief description
Slipcase for board game entitled Wallis's game Mirror of Truth, published by John and Edward Wallis in England in 1811.; Card with embossed cloth, English, 1811

Board game entitled Wallis's game Mirror of Truth, published by John and Edward Wallis in England in 1811. It is made of hand coloured engravings mounted on linen.; Engravings mounted on linen, English, 1811

Booklet of further directions for board game entitled Wallis's game Mirror of Truth, published by John and Edward Wallis in England in 1811.; Paper, English, 1811
Physical description
Design: hand coloured engraving in 15 panels mounted on linen; card slipcase; booklet printed in letterpress
No. of squares: 45
Squares illustrated: 32
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: 13
Subject of starting square: preacher
Subject of ending square: the temple of happiness
DimensionsSize: 17¼in x 22½in
Object history
The booklet was printed for Edward Wallis and bears a shorter title than the game itself. This is the square layout found on Every Man to His Station.
The squares not decorated are all `vices'.
The anecdotes cover a wide range of subjects and are mainly related to individuals, both past and present.


Games & Puzzles, CGG, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: receipt of counters and forward movement
Forfeits: payment of counters and backward movement
No. of Players: 2+
Equipment required: game
counters and markers
booklet
slipcase

Rules:
Title on the game at the very top of the game:-
A NEW GAME FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES

Main Title above the centre illustration:-
THE MIRROR OF TRUTH EXHIBITING A VARIETY OF BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES AND MORAL ESSAYS CALCULATED TO INSPIRE A LOVE OF VIRTUE AND ABHORRENCE OF VICE.

Details below the main illustrations:-
Published Jany. 1st. 1811 by JOHN WALLIS at his Juvenile Repository, No. 13 Warwick Square, London of whom may be had a great Variety of Instructive & Entertaining Games, Dissected Maps, Historical & Amusing Packs of Cards etc. etc.


The rules of the game are printed each side of the main illustration starting on the right side and finishing on the left..

RULES OF THE GAME
RULE 1. Each player must be provided with 1 coloured counter to mark his place in the Game and 2 dozen fish.
2. A Pool is to be formed by each Player putting in 4 but if 6 or more play, 3 will be sufficient.
3. There is to be a Lord of the Game chosen by vote before whom the gane is to be placed in the middle of the table.- His office will be to move the marks and read the Anecdotes etc according to the numbers turned up.- He is not to spin, but nust be provided with 2 donzen fish and whoever falls into a Vice must pay 2 to the Lord, but whoever arrives at a Virtue must receive 1 from him (besides what are directed in the Game)----At the conclusion of the GAme he will be entitled to one third of the Pool for his trouble.
4. Spin for first player: The highest to begin. The first player is to place his mark on the number he turns up and the rest proceed in the same manner.
5. If two come to the same number he that was there first must move back to the place he left, and receive one from the last comer for resigning his place.
6. The number turned up at each spinning is to be added to that on which the mark stands: thus if a player was at No. 5 and on his second spin turns up 4 he moves to 9.
7. Whoever arrives first at the Temple of Happiness No.45 wins the game and takes the Pool. Should any player go beyond that number he must move as many back as he exceeds it, but may claim the privilege of not making up his fish at the end of the game.
8. The directions under the numbers in the book are only to be observed when turned up on the Tetotum not when directed to move from one number to another.

The booklet is marked with :- LONDON: Printed by W Lewis, Finch Lane for E Wallis, 42 Skinner Street, Snow Hill
At the back is:- W. Lewis, Printer, 21 Finch Lane, Cornhill.

Rules placement: in the centre; booklet
Production
published Jany. 1st, 1811 by john wallis, at his juvenile repository, no. 13 warwick square, london. E. Wallis, 42, skinner street, snow hill
Collection
Accession number
B.6:1-1997

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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