Mexican Board Game Collection

Abstract

The Mexican Board Game Collection (dated circa 1900; 0.28 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise broadside prints of three Mexican board games featuring illustrations by Mexican graphic artist José Guadalupe Posada.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Mexican Board Game Collection
Date
circa 1900 (inclusive)
Creator
Posada, José Guadalupe (Posada Aguilar), 1852-1913
Extent
0.28 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Board games
Mexico
Lou Emma Wilson Mexicana Endowed Fund
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject.
Finding Aid Author
Kaylee McMunn, Taylor Leigh
Preferred Citation
2024ms009 : [identification of item], Mexican Board Game Collection, circa 1900, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
José Guadalupe Posada was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, February 2, 1852. Posada began printmaking at an early age and joined the studio of José Trinidad Pedroza in León around 1871, where he learned engraving and lithography. Posada married María de Jesús Vela in 1875. In 1883, their only known child was born, Juan Sabino Posada Vela. Posada printed in a variety of areas-- advertising, politics, religion, and poster, flyer, brochure, and book illustrations. Following a flood in León in 1881, Posada relocated to live and work in Mexico City. Around 1889, Posada began working with the publishing house of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo (1852-1917), which published the games contained in this collection. Manuel Manilla (1844?-1899) was also employed as an engraver for Vanegas Arroya at the same time. Posada may have been a valuable engraver due to his ability to communicate the rules and goal of the game through illustrations, rather than words, at a time when literacy rates were low in Mexico. Posada died January 20, 1913, and is buried in the Dolores Cemetery of Mexico City.
Scope and Content
The Mexican Board Game Collection (dated circa 1900; 0.28 cubic feet; 1 box) comprise broadside prints of three Mexican board games featuring illustrations by Mexican graphic artist José Guadalupe Posada.
Juego de la Oca, or "Game of the Goose", can be traced back to 15th century Italy. Los Charros Contrabandistas, or "Charro Smugglers", is Posada's variation on Game of the Goose. El Nuevo Coyote, or "A New Game of Coyote and Chickens", combines elements of Chinese "Go" and checkers.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Juego de la Oca, "Game of the Goose", circa 1900

  • Box 1, item 1
Scope and Contents

Game instructions read:

Explicacion

Si en la primera tirada de los dados, resultan en uno 5 y en el otro 4 se cambiará la ficha hasta el núm. 26; y si salieren 6 y 3 irá a parar al núm. 53. Si los dados llegaren al punto Ave, se contará de nueva desde ese sitio, los mismos tantos, hasta llegar a donde no la haya. El que sumare 6 puntos al principio de su tirada, duplicará su apuesta conforme a lo que entró jugando, y llegará al núm 12[.] El que llegue al núm. 19 que es la Venta, pagará otra apuesta y permanecerá hasta que los de-mas tiren 2 veces y luego jugará él. Al que le toque el núm. 31 que es el Pozo, quedará en el hasta que otro lo saque. El que se coloque en el 42 que es el Laberinto, hará postura y volverá al 39. El que caiga en el núm. 52, que es la Carcel, pagará otra apuesta quedando en ella hasta que otro lo saque y ocupará el sitio del que lo sacó, y el que lo saque, se estará hasta que otro lo saque[.] El que llegue a la Muerte núm. 58. jugará de nuevo. El que llegue al núm. ocupado por otro, saldrá el que esta y ocupará el núm. del que lo sacó. El que se pase del núm. 63, retrocederá los tantos que haya tirado de más. Si llega a Oca o Ave, contará hasta donde no la haya. El que cuente 63 puntos ganará el juego.

Registrada Conforme a la Ley

Translation:

If, on the first roll of the dice, one result is 5 and the other is 4 , move your piece to number 26; and if 6 and 3 occur, go to number 53. If you land on a space with a bird, the same number will be counted again from that place until reaching a space where there is no bird. If you roll a 6 with the first dice, double the bet you made when you started the game, and go to number 12. If you land on space 19, which is the Sale, make another bet and remain there until the other players roll twice and then continue playing. If you land on space 31, which is the Well, stay there until someone gets you out. If you land on space 42, which is the Labyrinth, you must turn around and return to space 39. If you land on space 52, which is the Prison, you must make another bet and stay there until someone gets you out, at which point you go to that player's space and they remain in the Prison until someone frees them. If you land on Death, space 58, roll again. When you land on a space occupied by another player, that player goes to the space you started from. If you pass space 63, you must go backwards the number of spaces remaining in your roll. If you land on a goose or a bird, move the same number of spaces again until you land on a space without a bird. Whoever gets to space 63 wins the game. Registered according to the law.

Note: Discrepancies between game instructions and the board numbering may result from a typographical error.

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Los Charros Contrabandistas, "Charro Smugglers", circa 1900

  • Box 1, item 2
Scope and Contents

Game instructions read:

Explicacion

1° Si deseas ganar has por tirar 3 unos; con el primer tiro la suerte es tuya; si caes en la Calavera, pierdes. 2° Si en el primer tiro echas 3 cincos, ocupas el N° 62. sacas tu entrada y sigues jugando. 3° Si llegas a casilla de venado sacas un tanto del fondo y si caes en el 5 ganas el juego. Si caes en casilla de ladrones pagas otro tanto de apuesto dándote por robado. 5° Si das en el caballo doblas la tirada. Si caes en el león, te quedas hasta que te saquen. Si llegas a casilla ocupada por otro, éste irá a la tuya. [Si caes en Calavera y desea jugar más, pagas un tanto y vas al núm. seis. Si sobran tanto de tu tirada, contarás retrocediendo.

Translation:

Instructions

1° To win, you have to roll 3 ones ; on the first roll, luck is on your side ; if you land on the skull, you lose. 2° If you roll 3 fives on your first turn, go to number 62, take out your ticket , and continue playing. 3° If you land on the deer square, take a bit from the bank , and if you land on the 5, you win the game. If you land on the thieves' square, pay a bit back to the bank, considering yourself robbed. 5° If you land on the horse square, double the amount rolled. If you land on the lion square, stay there until someone frees you. If you land on a square occupied by another player, they will go to the square that you started from. If you land on the skull and want to continue playing, pay a bit and go to number six. If there is a bit left over from your roll, move backwards accordingly.

Note: Although not stated in the game instructions, it seems that players roll three dice on each turn. If a player rolls three ones on any given turn, they automatically win. Instructions imply that nothing bad can happen on a player's first roll. Instructions also imply that players place initial bets.

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El Nuevo Coyote, "A New Game of Coyote and Chickens", circa 1900

  • Box 1, item 3
Scope and Contents

Game instructions read:

ESTE JUEGO se ejecuta entre dos personas una lleva 12 gallinas las que colocará donde están pintadas, que las suplirá con unos granitos de maiz. La otra persona llevará el Coyote, supliéndolo con un botón que se colocará donde está pintado. Las jugadas son alternativas haciendo la primera el Coyote, y éste puede recorrer todo el tablero. Las gallinas jugarán de derecha a izquierda, avanzando sin retroceder, procurando no retirarlas mucho para no darle entrada al Coyote. Si una gallina cae en uno de los pozos, pagará un tanto más de la apuesta que siguirá jugando. Si el Coyote cayere tambié en el pozo o fuere encerrado por las gallinas, pierde el juego; lo mismo que si las gallinas fueren comidas por el Coyote, también lo pierde. Tip. Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo. Penitenciaria 27. México, D- F.

Translation:

This game is played by two people. One of them moves 12 chickens, represented by grains of corn placed on the spaces indicated. The other person moves the coyote, represented by a button that starts on the space indicated. The players alternate turns. The coyote makes the first move and can move in any direction. The chickens move from right to left , advancing without retreating, trying not to withdraw too much so as not to let the coyote get past them. If a chicken falls into one of the wells, the player can pay a little more than the bet and can then continue playing. If the coyote falls into a well or is trapped by the chickens, that player loses the game, just as, if all the chickens are eaten by the coyote, that player loses. Tip. Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo. Penitenciaria 27. México, D- F.

Note: Game instructions do not specify but imply the board should be laid out lengthwise for play and that players make an initial bet before beginning the game.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.