1887 McLoughlin Bros. Grandmama’s Geographical Game

Playing Grandmama’s Geographical game taught players about the world and people around them.

Well-known for their beautifully illustrated games, the colorful box cover of the 1887 McLoughlin Bros. Grandmama’s Geographical game includes an outdoor scene with people gathered together. Between the words, ‘Around the World’ and displayed in front of the group of seated players, is a picture of a pyramid and Sphinx. Today, the charming image on the box can be appreciated by game collectors; but, over 100 years ago it encouraged buyers to have fun playing a game while learning about the world.

The game is played by a simple question and answer system. Included in the game box are 120 small rectangular numbered question cards and one answer booklet. Directions for playing the game are written in front of the Answer Book which shows an image of ‘grandmama.’ In the earlier 1860’s version of the McLoughlin Bros’ Grandma Series of Games, it was the oldest person (most often a ‘grandma’) who was instructed to hold the answer book. This is not the case in the 1887 edition. Any player could be selected to hold the answer book, but the title of ‘grandma’ for the series continued to be used.

The person chosen to provide the answers also directed the play of the game. He is called the Preceptor in the newer version of directions. Dealing at least six question cards to all other players (called Scholars), the Preceptor will then ask the player to his left to turn over one of his question cards and read aloud the card for all other players to hear.

If the player answers the question correctly, the card is placed to the side in front of him. If he is unable to answer, the card passes to his left, until either another player answers correctly or until it reaches the Preceptor. All players are given a chance to answer before returning the card to the Preceptor. Whoever answers the question places the card to the side in front of him. If no one answers, the Preceptor reads the answer from the numbered booklet. The Scholar with the most cards placed in front of him at the end of the game wins.

The Grandmama’s Geographical game is part of a six set series. Listed on the back of the directions are the following games:

Game of Riddles
Game of Geography
Game of Arithmetic
Game of Useful Knowledge
Game of Old Testament
Game of New Testament

All of these were encouraged to be collected. The back cover states, “Each one is devoted to a different branch of knowledge, and the Series conveys, in a very pleasant manner, a vast amount of information. The entire six should be in every household.”

Questions in the geographical game are interesting to read. Although some answers to questions like ‘What is the population of Europe?’ have definitely changed; others are timeless, like ‘What is geography?’ (A-about 16,000,000 people (1887) and A- description of the earth and its inhabitants)

A great way to presently play this game is for players to provide answers to the questions as if they were playing in 1887. Players must answer the question, “To what depth has the ocean been sounded?” correctly for the time period. Although the Mariana Trench (deepest part of the world’s ocean) is known to be about 6.8 miles today, the answer for 1887 is 5 miles. Playing the game now, one learns history at the same time as geography.

Other entertaining questions of the game will include questions like ‘For what is Switzerland noted?’ or ‘For what is New England celebrated?’ The answers may amuse. Expecting players to be able to answer correctly, the questions offer a glimpse into common thoughts and beliefs of the past. In 1887, Switzerland was noted for its beautiful lakes and lofty mountains. New England was celebrated for its good Common Schools and the intelligence of its inhabitants. I wonder who would think to give that answer today. Not that there still aren’t intelligent inhabitants in New England, I am sure there are, but to be singled out is interesting. What were they saying about the Southern regions?

Times have changed, and collecting games is a wonderful way to learn about the way they have evolved. Teaching when first published; games continue to teach even after over 100 years later, and still just as excitedly.