Card playing board for board game, Despatch Runners, made in England between 1910 and 1915

The board is printed on card and has been cut into a square shape, although rectangular when folded up. The outside of the board, when folded, has a blue checked pattern on both its front and back, accompanying the printed title and instructions. On the inside, there is a board printed in colour with drawings of both London and Edinburgh in the corners. There is a snaking pathway with numbered squares connecting the two drawings of the cities. On the pathway there are other cities and sights such as Cambridge, the River Derwant, Newcastle, and Dunbar. The board is illustrated with soldiers around the pathway, aiming shots at eachother.

Bequest of Miss R.H.A. MacDougald

This may have been part of a compendium as it is similar to those games produced by Chad Valley for Misc. 102-1983.

No. of Players: 2 or 4
Equipment required: 2 or 4 markers, playing board, a dice

For instructions see 'Inscription' details.

This board game, named Despatch Runners, was produced in England in the early 20th Century. The game involves players trying to make their way from London to Edinburgh while their opponents travel in the opposite direction.The first one to reach their destination is the winner, however, players must watch out for the squares that will send them backwards.

The board has bright graphics and features sketches of the towns and cities that feature on the route from London to Edinburgh, such as Cambridge, York, and Durham.

B.281-1996