WWI patriotic dexterity game - 'The Way to Constantinople'

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H. BROS LONDON

c. 1915

Overview

WWI era framed and glazed patriotic pitfall dexterity puzzle entitled 'The Way to Constantinople'.
It requires the player to manipulate a steel ball bearing around a recessed playing course, avoiding the strategically placed holes. To win, the ball must pass through The Dardanelles to Constantinople, avoiding all dangers (holes) en route.
There are two playing surfaces. The lower level is made from blue-coloured card, featuring descriptions of the waterways and hazards within.
The upper playing board is made from thin plywood, onto which is pasted yellow printed paper featuring land based hazards and topographical details.

The reverse features a printed label with the directions for the game.

The game has lost its outer frame and is currently held together with tape.

Historical information

This First World War pitfall dexterity game required the player to carefully move a small ball through the various obstacles in the waterways (Dardanelles Narrows, Sea of Marmora) and hazards within (mines and submarines), as well as negotiating land-based hazards due to natural topography (rocks, shoal) and manmade obstacles (Fort, Battery, various buildings,camps and palm trees, Turkish Fleet).

It is one of a number of British made and designed propaganda games released during the early part of WWI.

The maker, H.BROS, London is likely to be Hamley Brothers.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00065

Item type

Themes

Leisure > Games
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Width

170 mm

Height or length

245 mm

Inscriptions and markings

At top of front:

"BRITISH MAKE
AND DESIGN"

"THE WAY TO CONSTANTINOPLE"

At bottom of front:

"H.B. LONDON"
"COPYRIGHT"

On reverse:

"The Way to Constantinople" Puzzle

DIRECTIONS

The puzzle is to carry the steel ball
through the Dardanelles, avoiding all
the dangers en route.

If the ball meets with disaster before
reaching its journey's end, it can be
brought to the surface again by rolling
it up the incline at the left side.

Great amusement may be had by
arranging a competition as to who can
get through to Constantinople
in the shortest time."

"H. BROS. LTD. LONDON"

Keywords

Place made

United Kingdom

Year

c. 1915

Primary significance criteria