The Greasy Pole
Board Game
1900-1910 (published)
1900-1910 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a form of Snakes and Ladders and it is meant to amuse rather than moralise. The directions on the board are in rhyming couplets.
If three or more you chance to throw, jump on the pole and up you go.
But two or one, then you must wait, and hope next turn a better fate.
When on the pole you'll learn the tricks - go up with three, four, five or six,
If one or two you chance to throw, then down the Greasy Pole you go
The pole has 54 spots, most are yellow, and some are red, green or brown. The yellow ones have no directions and are the climbing ones. Green ones, of which there are two, mean a fall to the ground. The six red spots are extra upward moves while the two brown ones require either missed turns or the throw of an odd number as they are stay-where-you-are because you are out of breath.
If three or more you chance to throw, jump on the pole and up you go.
But two or one, then you must wait, and hope next turn a better fate.
When on the pole you'll learn the tricks - go up with three, four, five or six,
If one or two you chance to throw, then down the Greasy Pole you go
The pole has 54 spots, most are yellow, and some are red, green or brown. The yellow ones have no directions and are the climbing ones. Green ones, of which there are two, mean a fall to the ground. The six red spots are extra upward moves while the two brown ones require either missed turns or the throw of an odd number as they are stay-where-you-are because you are out of breath.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Greasy Pole (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Chromolithographed paper on card |
| Brief description | Boxed card board game, The Greasy Pole, made in England in the early twentieth century |
| Physical description | Design: chromolithograph on card, one fold No. of squares: 54 Squares illustrated: 8 Square numbering: all Squares titled: 8 Subject of starting square: throwing dice Subject of ending square: top of the pole |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs M. Tomalin |
| Object history | This is a form of Snakes and Ladders and it is meant to amuse rather than moralise. The directions on the board are in rhyming couplets. CGG-Games & Puzzles, 1991 |
| Historical context | Rewards: forward movement Forfeits: backward movment, missed turns No. of Players: any Equipment required: dice, markers Rules: Initial rules on the board itself:- If three or more you chance to throw, Jump on the pole and up you go. But two or one, then you must wait, And hope next turn a better fate. When on the pole you'll learn the tricks, Go up with three, four, five or six, If one or two you chance to throw, Then down the Greasy Pole you go. The pole has 54 spots, most are yellow, and some are red, green or brown. The yellow ones have no directions and are the climbing ones. Green ones , of which there are two, mean a fall to the ground. The six red spots are extra upward moves while the two brown ones require either missed turns or the throw of an odd number as they are stay-where-you-are because you are out of breath. Rules placement: on board, and inside lid |
| Production | Glevum Series, in eclipse with helmeted head between words British Manufacture |
| Summary | This is a form of Snakes and Ladders and it is meant to amuse rather than moralise. The directions on the board are in rhyming couplets. If three or more you chance to throw, jump on the pole and up you go. But two or one, then you must wait, and hope next turn a better fate. When on the pole you'll learn the tricks - go up with three, four, five or six, If one or two you chance to throw, then down the Greasy Pole you go The pole has 54 spots, most are yellow, and some are red, green or brown. The yellow ones have no directions and are the climbing ones. Green ones, of which there are two, mean a fall to the ground. The six red spots are extra upward moves while the two brown ones require either missed turns or the throw of an odd number as they are stay-where-you-are because you are out of breath. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.817-1986 |
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| Record created | March 4, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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