Collection Highlights
French press
1812-1819
1943.368
Mahogany, mahogany veneer; yellow poplar, white pine, brass, plaster
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Chivalry: The Greatest Modern Board Game of Skill
Title
Chivalry: The Greatest Modern Board Game of Skill
Date
1880-1890
Medium
Cardboard, paper, wood
Dimensions
board (open): 16 1/2 x 16 in. (41.9 x 40.6 cm)
Description
"Chivalry: The Greatest Modern Board Game of Skill" board game with 40 playing pieces half red, half white and a paper instruction booklet in a paper box; paper covered cardboard board with a blue and yellow checkerboard with battle scenes and castles in the corners; board inscribed, "CHIVALRY/ COPYRIGHTED 1888 BY GEO. S. PARKER & CO/ PATENT APPLIED FOR/ Published By/ PARKER BROS. SALEM, MASS."; board label with two knights jousting and the inscription, "CHIVALRY/ THE GREATEST MODERN/ BOARD GAME OF/ SKILL/ GEO. S. PARKER & CO./ PUBLISHERS, SALEM, MASS."
Credit Line
The Liman Collection
Object Number
2000.234
Marks
lithographed: on the board: twice, " "CHIVALRY/ COPYRIGHTED 1888 BY GEO. S. PARKER & CO/ PATENT APPLIED FOR/ Published By/ PARKER BROS. SALEM, MASS."
lithographed: on the board label: "CHIVALRY/ THE GREATEST MODERN/ BOARD GAME OF/ SKILL/ GEO. S. PARKER & CO./ PUBLISHERS, SALEM, MASS."
Gallery Label
In 1887, George Parker touted his newly-introduced Chivalry as "the Best game in 2,000 years." Unlike the typical Victorian-era board games, Chivalry had complex rules and demanded strategic skill to win. The game proved a flop with the public but was reissued years later as Camelot, with new rules and greater commercial success.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
