Author Description

At the start of the Millenium, a group of people interested in the History of British Indoor Games got together and formed a society called 'The Games Board'. Their interests were different: Some were interested in one particular game or manufacturer, others were more generalized, but all were fascinated in how the games played reflected Society as a whole in their time and vice versa. A number of the members have here contributed the results of their research for this Compendium. They do not provide the rules of play for these games (Board, Card, and others), but the description of their place in History, and the beautiful colour pictures of them, provide a source to inspire you to discover your own particular interest. The chapters include: The Quest for the Pyramids (Playing equipment in English printed board games of the pre-Georgian, Georgian and Early Victorian Eras) by Adrian Seville, Patents and Playing Cards by Neil Darbyshire, A Trivial Pursuit? (A glimpse of Education, Values and Fun in England, mainly c1770-1870, through the lens of Conversation Cards and related Question and Answer Games, including some Fortune Telling or Prophetic Cards) by Richard Ballam, The One Shilling Card Game Saga (by Ogilvy and Jaques) by Michael Thomson, Libellous Labels by JJ Secker, 'Play Faire Doe Not Sweare' by W Bryce Neilson, Shove Ha'Penny by W Bryce Neilson, Loggats by James Masters.