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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 44 | April 2000


Love game acquired

Images are an important tool for the social historian, and the visual evidence of changing social values appears within the Library’s Pictorial Collection, documenting all aspects of Australian social history. One recent acquisition adds to the diversity of the Collection, in both its format and subject matter.

A folding board game printed in colour and gilt and thought to date from around 1905, Courtship and Marriage, A Fascinating Game for 2, 3 or 4 Players is fascinating still, although perhaps not for the reasons originally intended. It features nine vignettes describing the possible joys and horrors of Victorian courtship from the initial introduction to the ultimate goal of marriage.

Progressing through a series of activities deemed suitable for a courting couple, the player moves around the board engaging in the delights of a fancy-dress ball, croquet party and seaside visit. However, they must avoid the disasters of ‘flirtation’, ‘jealousy’ or ‘breach of promise’ in their race to the end. A picnic constitutes the ‘first date’, the accompanying illustration complete with hamper and teapot. A ‘motor ride’ closely follows if being ‘already engaged’ is avoided, and the ride in the country meets with brilliant success. The player fortunate enough to land on this square advances directly to ‘all smooth with the family’—an ardent aspiration of any enthusiastic suitor. Family opinion plays a significant role in the proceedings, and provided the beau leaves the ‘parents charmed’, the player of 1905 can advance to the ‘proposal’ and look forward to the ‘engagement’.

No romantic weekends away for these two; no discussion of commitment, priorities and compromise. The bride-to-be is given the ‘fancy-dress ball’ to make a decision, and with that, engages in the last leg of the game (being jilted, jealous or in breach of promise now the only possible obstacles to ultimate fulfilment).

Courtship and Marriage game

The National Game Company, producer of Courtship and Marriage, was the first large-scale manufacturer of locally designed board games in Australia, established at the beginning of the twentieth century by W. Owen of Ballarat. Many titles were available under the label, and it appears that in every instance Owen had each game individually designed. Avoiding a repetitive and boring house style, many of the boards display attractive graphics in their own right. The Library’s new acquisition is no exception.

Quaint by today’s estimations, such games helped introduce children to the structured and complicated social ritual awaiting them. The process and expectations of courting are presented in an entertaining form with the aim of instructing a young player in an area not easily nor openly discussed. The Library owns several other board games: Tour through the British Colonies and Race to the Gold Diggings of Australia, both dating from 1855, are further examples of amusement designed to instruct children about the wonders of the British Empire.

Courtship and Marriage, A Fascinating Game for 2,3, or 4 Players c.1905
colour cardboard and paper; 36.8 x 36.8 cm

From the Pictorial Collection

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