Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
December 18, 1983
By Susie Dewey
Vigo County Historical Society
Yesterday’s toys reflected lifestyles and values of time
Wooden and papier mache toys were developed early in the 19th century, but games began to receive attention in the early 18th century.
Sales in America were never as great as in Europe. The Puritans considered games frivolous and many Victorian households banned all games with elements of chance. By 1870 such rules were disappearing and board games for children were increasing.
Even in the nursery, the Victorian child took life very seriously and many games taught a lesson or stressed a moral value. Two exceptions to this rule were tiddly-winks and bagatelle.
Two games still popular today were invented n the mid-Victorian era. Parcheese was invented in 1867 and Authors in 1861.
Salem, Massachusetts, became the capital of the game world. As in all port towns, sailors brought interestng games from all over the world. They had plenty of time aboard ship and in port to play the games.
George Parker made his first game there and established a games museum, which is still open to the public.
To study the toys of any particular era or group is not a frivolous pursuit. Since pre-historic times, toys have been used to instruct the young in the culture of the age and to develop necessary skills and values for survival.
The child’s marble game at the museum, a gift from Millicent Hammerling, reflects Victorian culture.
The now faded cigar-like box was ornately decorated with clowns. The bright colors are gone but the gaiety is unmistakable. The marble, the pins on the end of the board, and the five wooden cups on the perpendicular extended back of the box must have delighted some boys and girls between 1880 and 1890.
Today the rules and procedures are lost, but it appears to be a type of bagatelle game. Perhaps some readers know more about this game and would be willing to share the information with the museum.
At the end of the 18th century catalogues of toys began to be common. They listed card tricks, dolls, dolls’ rooms, shops, magic boxes and crafted miniatures that worked. The most elaborate toys were produced in Germany.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.