Handkerchief

Date1780-1790

MediumCotton, plain-woven, plate-printed

DimensionsOW: 26 1/4" (selvage width) X OH 22 1/4" Thread count: 52 warps per inch; 52 wefts per inch

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-129

DescriptionLarge handkerchief plate-printed in blue on white in a design for playing "The Game of the Goose." The handkerchief's design consists of 63 arched spaces arranged in a spiral, as well as rules for playing the game printed in the center. Human figures fill each of the four corners: a woman in 1780s-style clothing; a man wearing particolor; a man playing an instrument with his dog nearby; and a devil-like character. The handkerchief is bordered with a printed lacy design, visible at the selvage edges but mostly hidden in the hems at the top and bottom.

The game's rules are printed in the center of the handkerchief:
"The Game of the Goose
Rules
1st. This Game is played with a pair of Dice and any Number of persons may play at it. 2d. Whatever Number it is that any one throws that person must place his Counter in the White space under the same Number for Example should the Cast be 6 & 3 he must place the counter at 9. if the Cast be 6 & 5 he must place it at 11 & when he throws again he must add the number to that where his counter lyes and so remove accordingly. 3d. He that throws 6 must pay a Stake for his passage over the Bridge and go to Number 12. 3th. He that throws a Goose must double his cast for-ward from his last place. 5. He that throws 19 where the Ale House is must pay a Stake & Drink till his turn comes to thrown again. 6. He that throws 31 where the Well is must stay there till every one has thrown twice unless some One else throws the same & then he must return to that persons
place. 7th. He that throws 42 where the Maze is must pay a Stake and return back to the Number 29. 8th. He that goeth to 52 where the Prison is must pay One and stay there a prisoner, till some One relieves him by throwing the same number. 9th. He that seeth to 58 where Death is must pay One and begin again. 10th. He that is overtaken by another must return to his place that overtook him & both must pay a stake. 11. He that overtroweth the Number 63 must return back and begin as at first. 12th. He that throweth the just Number 63 Winneth the Game."

Construction History:
1. Initial Construction 1780-1790
Label TextThis handkerchief was used as a playing board and rules for the "Game of the Goose," which was played by throwing a pair of dice. Each player rolled the dice and added the two numbers together, advancing that number of positions on the game surface. If a player landed in one of the special locations, such as the Ale House, Well, or Prison, he or she had to abide by the rules for that location. For example, anyone landing on the Death square had to pay a penalty and start over. The player who reached 63 first without going over won the game.

Construction History:
1. Initial Construction 1780-1790

Exhibition(s)