'Mapit' card game

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

36501

Title

'Mapit' card game

Description

Cardboard box with printed paper label containing 'cards' made from cut maps and a fold-out map. Printed paper label on front. Playing instructions printed inside lid.

Date

1916

Size

15.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 cm

Type

Toy

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

MC182

'Mapit, or The New War Card Game' was produced using the Daily Telegraph War Map of Europe during World War 1. The instructions explain that the sections of map are to be dealt like cards to each player. Players then take turns to place adjoining map sections alongside a starting piece already placed on the table.

'Mapit' is an example of the thrift employed by toy manufacturers during the War. The game uses maps already printed which have simply been cut and boxed with playing instructions.

World War I provided inspiration to toy manufacturers large and small. The difficulty of getting imports safely to Britain, together with shortages of labour and materials, meant that British toy companies had to be inventive. They used simple materials and processes to produce toys for children whose lives were steeped in daring tales of wartime adventure.

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Related subjects

Events > Wars > War shortages

Events > Wars > War toys

Events > Wars > World wars

Places > United Kingdom > London

Toys > Indoor games > Playing cards games