Spoil Five thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Spoil Five

Board Game
1920-1939 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Spoil Five, together with similar games such as Peg'ity and Quintro, are early versions of the more recent Connect 4 game. The aim of the game is to achieve a straight line of pegs, usually five, while preventing one’s opponent from doing the same. A grid of holes and sets of differently coloured wooden pegs are all the equipment required. These are housed in boxes, where the illustrations are particularly interesting as a reflection of the fashions and artwork of the time.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSpoil Five (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed card and paper
Brief description
Boxed card positional game, Spoil-Five, made in England by the Chad Valley Company in the 1920s or 1930s
Physical description
Design: cardboard shelf covered with a regular grid of holes to take the wooden pegs
No. of squares: n/a
Squares illustrated: n/a
Square numbering: n/a
Squares titled: n/a
Subject of starting square: n/a
Subject of ending square: n/a
Dimensions
  • Length: 25.7cm
  • Width: 25.7cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Mr M. J. Clark
Object history
See also Peg'ity and Quinto which are very similar and of about the same date.
Often the boxes of these particular games are more interesting than the games themselves and the artwork typical of the time.

CGG Games & Puzzles, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: n/a
Forfeits: n/a
No. of Players: 4
Equipment required: wooden pegs stained four different colours

Rules:
The aim of the game is to achieve a straight line of pegs, usually five, while preventing one's oppenent from doing the same.

Rules placement: ?
Summary
Spoil Five, together with similar games such as Peg'ity and Quintro, are early versions of the more recent Connect 4 game. The aim of the game is to achieve a straight line of pegs, usually five, while preventing one’s opponent from doing the same. A grid of holes and sets of differently coloured wooden pegs are all the equipment required. These are housed in boxes, where the illustrations are particularly interesting as a reflection of the fashions and artwork of the time.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.573-1985

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest