Cluedo?
Board Game
1950s (published)
1950s (published)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Cluedo is a popular murder mystery board game invented in 1943 by Anthony Earnest Pratt. It is believed that his wife helped him to design the playing board. The game was first manufactured by Waddingtons in 1949. Since then, Cluedo has been relaunched and updated several times. In addition to this there have been a number of themed or special edition versions of the game. This set dates from the early 1950's so it is probably very similar to the original.
The game consists of six characters, six weapons, and nine rooms on a playing board. The aim of the game is to deduce the character, location, and weapon with which the murder was carried out.
The game consists of six characters, six weapons, and nine rooms on a playing board. The aim of the game is to deduce the character, location, and weapon with which the murder was carried out.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 17 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
Title | Cluedo? (manufacturer's title) |
Materials and techniques | Printed card and paper, die-cast metal, turned and painted wood, graphite |
Brief description | Cluedo board game, Waddingtons, 1950s, England |
Physical description | The playing surface shows a plan of a house with different rooms positioned around the edge of the board. The design is printed on paper which is mounted on cardboard. The back of the board is dark green with a black and white paper label showing Cluedo with a magnifying glass. Set of six wooden playing pieces painted white, yellow, green, blue, purple, and red. Set of six playing pieces representing a spanner, revolver, candlestick, dagger, lead piping, and rope. The revolver is painted black and the rope is tied in a loop. The dagger handle is broken, only the blade remains. All other objects are made from unpainted metal. Set of six cards showing different characters in the Cluedo game. Each character is printed in colour on a black and white background. The reverse of the card is black and white with the Cluedo logo in the centre. Set of six cards showing different weapons which correspond to the playing pieces. They are printed in white and grey on a black background. Set of nine cards showing different rooms and floor plan, printed in white on a black background. Set of 'Murder Cards' inside a white card slipcase which is printed in red on the front. Green plastic dice shaker. Six-sided dice with recessed white dots on a blue background. Sheet of folded paper with printed game instructions and rules titled 'Cluedo or Murder at Tudor Close'. Printed paper packing slip. Box with dark green lid and cream base. The lid has a paper label printed in black and white showing the Cluedo logo and manufacturer's mark. The inside of the box is divided into seven sections with each having a small card insert. Brown wooden pencil with graphite lead and green plastic top and another similar pencil without the green top. |
Dimensions |
|
Production type | Mass produced |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Given by Norman Andrews |
Production | Cluedo was originally produced in 1949, it was redesigned in 1965, 1972, and 2008. In the USA the game is produced by Parker Bros under the name of 'Clue.' |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Cluedo is a popular murder mystery board game invented in 1943 by Anthony Earnest Pratt. It is believed that his wife helped him to design the playing board. The game was first manufactured by Waddingtons in 1949. Since then, Cluedo has been relaunched and updated several times. In addition to this there have been a number of themed or special edition versions of the game. This set dates from the early 1950's so it is probably very similar to the original. The game consists of six characters, six weapons, and nine rooms on a playing board. The aim of the game is to deduce the character, location, and weapon with which the murder was carried out. |
Other number | 586817 - Patent Number |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.136:1 to 14-2004 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | January 26, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest