Not on display

Jeu du Grand-Homme

Board Game
ca. 1835 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Games relating to history and geography were popular throughout Europe and Britain. This game, the name of which translates to 'Game of a Great Man', celebrates the important events in the life of Napoleon I. There are 63 playing spaces and the game would have been played very much the same as the 'Game of Goose'. Instead of various spaces throughout the game having a picture of a goose, they have an eagle.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleJeu du Grand-Homme (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Engraved historical race game, Jeu du Grand-Homme, published in France by Veuve Turgis about 1835
Physical description
Design: engraving; showing 66 illustrations; rules are engraving in the centre
No. of squares: 66
Squares illustrated: all
Square numbering: 1-63
Squares titled: all
Subject of starting square: ?
Subject of ending square: ?
Dimensions
  • Length: 47.4cm
  • Width: 65.2cm
Object history
There are 63 numbered representations or allegories of events in the Life of Napoleon I with 3 additional scenes and an apotheosis.

H R d'Allemagne: Le Noble Jeu de l'Oie en France, de 1640 a 1950, p. 215.

CGG-Games & Puzzles, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: forward movement, extra turns, taking of counters
Forfeits: backward movment, lose of turns, payment of counters
No. of Players: 1-8
Equipment required: teetotum and playing counters

Rules:
Follows the rules of the Game of the Goose and is very like the Game of Human Life.

Rules placement: engraved in centre; lettered with titles, captions and rules
Summary
Games relating to history and geography were popular throughout Europe and Britain. This game, the name of which translates to 'Game of a Great Man', celebrates the important events in the life of Napoleon I. There are 63 playing spaces and the game would have been played very much the same as the 'Game of Goose'. Instead of various spaces throughout the game having a picture of a goose, they have an eagle.
Collection
Accession number
E.23273-1957

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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