Not currently on display at the V&A

Wallis's Picturesque Round Game of the Produce and Manufacturers of the Counties of England and Wales

Board Game
ca. 1850 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a geographical race game played on a map of England and Wales. The map is divided into counties with representations of local landmarks and industry. There are 151 playing spaces. The play is a circular one, with the starting space at the River Thames and the end space in London. This particular game was sold by E. Gibbons, dealer in German and French fancy goods, at 15 North Street, Bristol.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWallis's Picturesque Round Game of the Produce and Manufacturers of the Counties of England and Wales (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Hand-coloured etching and aquatint on linen
Brief description
Hand coloured geographical race game, the Produce of England and Wales, published in England by John Passmore in about 1850
Physical description
Design: etching and aqua tint, coloured by hand; 16 sections mounted on linen showing a map of England and Wales divided into counties with representations of industries etc.
No. of squares: 151
Squares illustrated: as a map
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: in booklet
Subject of starting square: River Thames
Subject of ending square: London
Dimensions
  • Height: 66cm
  • Width: 51.2cm
Object history
contained in a cloth covered slip case with stamped gilt title
See also E.1780-1954
Rule 8 is different as most expect players to exchange places.
The game is later than dated as the rules mention October 1840 for the Fire of Plymouth.
At address about 1840 to 1869, took over Wallis's stock in 1847.
On cover, the label is printed E GIBBONS (LATE MILL) DEALER IN GERMAN AND FRENCH FANCY GOODS, 15 NORTH STREET, BRISTOL.
Historical context
Rewards: extra turns and forward movement
Forfeits: missing turns, remaining in same place or backward movement
No. of Players: any
Equipment required: stock of cards pieces provided with the game, as defined in the Rules


Rules:
RULES FOR PLAYING THE GAME
The players are provided with a Card, containing nine Letters, nine Numbers, two Crosses and one Blank, which are to be cut up on the lines with a pair of scissors.
2. The letters are to be distributed one to each player, according to the number about to play, and the remainder laid aside. They are used to mark each player's position o the Game.
3. The numbers, crosses and blank are to be placed in a lady's reticule, and drawn in turn, one by each player, after the manner of a lottery.
4. Each player, on drawing a number, is to place his letter on the same number in the Game, and read the description aloud. When it is his turn to draw another, he adds them together and advances his letter to that number which they make when so added, reading as before, and observing any directions which may be given him. But if he draw a cross, he is to draw again, till he obtain a number, which number is to be deducted from, instead of added to his former station, and his letter moved back accordingly. Each card to be returned to the bag after drawing.
5. Whoever draws a blank, remains at his former number.
6. After each player has drawn once, the Game is to be continued in the same manner, passing the bag round, till some one makes up the exact number 151, who wins the Game.
7. If a player go beyond No. 151, he must go as many back as he had exceeded it, and the lottery must continue till some one makes up the exact number.
8. If two players arrive at the same number, the one who arrived last must go back to his former number.
9. When a player is sent back to any place, he is not to read the description, or attend to the directions in italics, and when sent forward he is only to read the description and stop there till his turn to draw again.

There follows the EXPLANATION or Description of each of the stops 1 to 151. The details reveal the date of the Great Fire of Plymouth, October 1840 and the land slide at Lyme Regis of 1839 which provides a later date that originally documented. J Passmore.was at the address between 1840 and 1869 and took over Wallis's stock in 1847.

Rules booklet printed by F W Passmore, 20 York Terrace Borough Road London; bound in pink paper.

Rules placement: booklet
Summary
This is a geographical race game played on a map of England and Wales. The map is divided into counties with representations of local landmarks and industry. There are 151 playing spaces. The play is a circular one, with the starting space at the River Thames and the end space in London. This particular game was sold by E. Gibbons, dealer in German and French fancy goods, at 15 North Street, Bristol.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.226-1964

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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