The New Game of Illustrated Proverbs thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The New Game of Illustrated Proverbs

Card Game
1860-1890 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 19th century learning the ideals of good behaviour came to be regarded as important as the three Rs. This game of 63 cards uses proverbs with humorous illustrations as its teaching tool. It is played in a similar fashion to Happy Families, the idea of the game being to collect the words that make up the proverb. As with many moral games, the gambling element of the rewards and forfeits does not appear in the rules. The reward is in simply winning the game.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 64 parts.

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  • Rule Book
TitleThe New Game of Illustrated Proverbs (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Hand coloured etchings on card
Brief description
The New Game of Illustrated Proverbs published in England by John Jaques and Son about 1860
Physical description
Design: letterpress and lithographs, hand coloured on card; reverse sides are plain pink.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.6cm
  • Width: 5.7cm
Object history
The aim is to collect all the cards related to a proverb as shown on the coloured cards. The size of each can be different.
In the advertisement on the rules leaflet the Illustrated Proverbs are said to be DRAWN BY PHIZ; issued in two series, each 1s in cost
THE BOX DOES NOT EXIST, HOWEVER, THIS SET IS ALSO A JAQUES.
see also Misc. 135-1976

CGG-Games & Puzzles
Historical context
Rewards: n/a
Forfeits: n/a
No. of Players: any
Equipment required: 64 cards of which 12 are pictorial, hand coloured and showing a single large word and a complete `proverb'.

Rules:
The Twelve Proverbs, or a portion of them, are shuffled and dealt out to the players in rotation. The player on the left hand of the dealer commences the play by asking any other player for a card of any Proverb of which he holds one or more in his hand; if he obtains it he may continue asking until he asks for a card which the player asked does not hold; the right of asking in then transferred to him and he in the same way continues to ask till in like manner disqualified. When any player has obtained all the cards of a set forming the complete proverb, he turns them up on the table. The player who first completes all the Proverbs of which he holds cards at the commencement of the game, of of which any cards remain to him as the game progresses, wins.
N B:- No player is allowed to ask for a card of any Proverb of which he does not hold one or more in his hand.


*Learning the ideals of good behavior came to be regarded as important as the three R's. The precepts were often found as proverbs on card, and again, the idea of the game is that a group has to be collected. They are often quite humorous, although it is difficult to tell if this was deliberate or merely a late19th century interpretation of the sayings and drawings. Generally, the gambling element of the rewards and forfeits were removed from the rules of these moral games - CGG
Summary
In the 19th century learning the ideals of good behaviour came to be regarded as important as the three Rs. This game of 63 cards uses proverbs with humorous illustrations as its teaching tool. It is played in a similar fashion to Happy Families, the idea of the game being to collect the words that make up the proverb. As with many moral games, the gambling element of the rewards and forfeits does not appear in the rules. The reward is in simply winning the game.
Collection
Accession number
E.343:1 to 64-1947

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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