The New Game of Buccaneer thumbnail 1
The New Game of Buccaneer thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

The New Game of Buccaneer

Board Game
1930s (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

There are 625 blue and white squares with a centre block of 5 x 5 squares and 2 corner blocks of 12 squares each. Around the outside are 8 harbours each with a dock and a safety zone. Centre block has press stud fastenings to attach TREASURE ISLAND
Design: chromolithograph mounted on linen
No. of squares: 625
Squares illustrated: some
Square numbering: none
Squares titled: none
Subject of starting square: harbours
Subject of ending square: treasure island


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Board Game
  • Box
  • Box
  • Components
  • Game Pieces
Titles
  • The New Game of Buccaneer (manufacturer's title)
  • regd. design no. 826365 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed card and paper; moulded plastic and wood
Brief description
Board game, Buccaneer, made in England by John Waddington Ltd between 1938 and 1958
Physical description
There are 625 blue and white squares with a centre block of 5 x 5 squares and 2 corner blocks of 12 squares each. Around the outside are 8 harbours each with a dock and a safety zone. Centre block has press stud fastenings to attach TREASURE ISLAND
Design: chromolithograph mounted on linen
No. of squares: 625
Squares illustrated: some
Square numbering: none
Squares titled: none
Subject of starting square: harbours
Subject of ending square: treasure island
DimensionsSize: 29¼in sq.
Historical context
Rewards: collecting treasure
Forfeits: losing treasure, including ships being set adrift
No. of Players: 6
Equipment required: markers, 6 plastic boats of different colours, masts of paper
pack of chance cards
pack of crew cards
treasure - 6 each of diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold bars and kegs of rum


THE OBJECT OF THE GAME
The winner of the game is the first player to collect Treasure to the value of 20 points, and land it safely in his home port.
A player may obtain Treasure by three methods:-
1. Sailing to the coast of Treasure Island, and turning up Chance Cards.
2. Sailing to other Ports, and exchanging Crew Cards for Treasure
3. By Attacking other ships at sea.

The Play:
The Dealer moves first.
The first player sails his boat in any of the three directions, from his Harbour, and he is entitled to move his boat in a straight line, any number of squares, up to but not exceeding his Sailing Strength
AT THE END OF HIS TURN THE PLAYER MUST POINT HIS BOAT I N THE DIRECTION WHICH HE INTENDS TO PROCEED ON HIS NEXT TURN.
This constitutes the first player's turn, and the second player moves his ship and so on.
If a player does not wish to move any number of squares, but just desires to change his direction, this constitutes a turn.
Ship can only sail in a forward direction.
For Further particulars, see the LAWS OF THE GAME.

THE IDEA OF THE GAME
The idea of the game is to collect Treasure to a total value of 20 points made up by adding the value of the last cargo brought to the player's home port to that of any treasure already there whether in the Safety Zone or in the space marked Docks.
A player collects Treasure by Sailing his ship from his home port to VISIT TREASURE ISLAND where the draw of a Chance Card may give him treasure or crew, or to another port for trading, or to attack another ship.
On ATTACKING AN OPPONENT'S SHIP treasure or crew may be taken by the winner (the one with the greater Fighting Value). Fighting value is therefore important for defence as well as attack. Kindly read the instructions and Laws very carefully before playing.

PREPARATION FOR PLAY
Open out the playing board and place the tray representing the Treasure Island in the centre of the board. Place all Treausre in the tray.
Shuffle and place the Chance Cards in the slotted grooves on Treasure Island, as indicated.
Players decide at which port they will play (which for convenience will be the one nearest to where they are sitting) and take the boat of corresponding colour, placing it in the square marked Harbour at their home port. The ports of Amsterdam and Venice are left unoccupied, to facilitate trading, as well be seen later.
Shuffle the Crew Cards and place two cards face up on the docks of each unoccupied port. In this manner, cards will always be place at Venice and Amsterdam and at any other ports not occupied by a player.
Shuffle the Crew Cards again and deal six cards to each player, placing the remainder of the pack face downwards on Pirate Island.
By taking Treasure from Treasure Island, make up the point value to 8 at each of the ports to which two crew cards were previously dealt..

Rules placement: booklet, copyright John Waddington Ltd. 38613
Collection
Accession number
MISC.123:1-1989

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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