Catalog Archive
Auction 198, Lot 41

"Walker's Tour Through England and Wales, a New Pastime", Darton, William

Subject: Cartographic Game, England & Wales

Period: 1809 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.2 x 19.8 inches
43.7 x 50.3 cm
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This simple map of England and Wales is the game board for a geographical game, with the rules included in text panels at the sides. A numbered route is shown, beginning in Maidstone, Kent with "1" and ending in London with "118." The game is played with a marker and four counters for each player and an eight-sided teetotum spinner, which were not included with the game. The rules are outlined at top left, with several columns below and at far right giving information on each numbered city in the game, with several cities requiring the player to lose up to four turns to "see the city." The winner is the person who lands in London by exact count of the spinner. Dissected and mounted on original linen, folding into original mottled paperboard slipcase with engraved paper title and publisher's labels. An early example of the "Cartographic Game" genre that became very popular in later Victorian England. With text the sheet measures 25.8 x 21.5".

References:

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color with light soiling and a dampstain in the text at bottom left. Slipcase has several abrasions and stains but is still very sturdy and fully intact.

Estimate: $475 - $600

Sold for: $150

Closed on 6/19/2024

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