By Rachel Vigil and Gene Kannenberg, Jr.
Though board games may not be the first thing that comes to mind when imagining the collections of an academic library, games, toys, puzzles and game manuals can be found throughout the collections. A current pop-up exhibit on the fifth floor of University Library, Tabletop Treasures, showcases a selection of games and puzzles from both the Transportation Library and the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies. Featuring historical titles as well as recent releases, Tabletop Treasures reflects the cultures and subcultures in which they were designed and played, and showcases the playful joy to be found in both libraries.
The exhibit will be on display for the rest of the quarter in University Library. Visit to see these games up close!
Bikee : A Novel and Very Amusing Game. (1902)
The “Bikee” “board” is made up of 20 cards that are laid down in a path. With each roll of the dice, players can live out the escapades of a 1902 cyclist. Overturning apple carts or getting arrested for “scorching” (fast riding) will set you back in the game, while winning a race at the Crystal Palace, a famous racetrack of the era, or catching bank robbers results in extra points and boosts toward the finish line. Though the player’s tokens take the form of women and men, the game board only features male cyclists.
How Nigerian Are You? (2018)
Guaranteed to produce vigorous debates and riotous laughter (as evidenced by Northwestern students whenever they’ve played it), “How Nigerian Are You?” pits two teams of players against each other in a game of culturally specific trivia. Cards are divided into low difficulty (gold) or high difficulty (grey), with “Hammer!” questions which pause the 60-second clock. Categories include Nigerian States & Capitals; History; Entertainment; and Riddles. Teams are composed of at least two players each. Additionally, the game asks for one independent scorekeeper and one independent timekeeper. “These are great roles for people who want to learn more about Nigeria,” says the instruction booklet.
El: The Chicago Transit Adventure box art
El : The Chicago Transit Adventure. (2019)
“El: the Chicago Transit Adventure” sets players off for an adventure on Chicago’s elevated trains. Using the CTA’s map as the game board, and wooden models of old CTA tokens as the game’s currency, players compete to visit all the destinations in their hand, based on station in the Chicago transit system, and reach State/Lake before the other players. Complicating this journey are a series of “condition” cards filled with obstacles—such as pigeon swarms or falling asleep on the train—and benefits—such as a ride on the holiday train or free fare on New Year’s Day.
Classic Mancala box art
Classic Mancala. (2016)
Mancala is sometimes referred to as “the world’s oldest game,” with multiple variants in existence, including one that traces back to approximately 5870 BCE. Included here is a version of the basic game, known as two-rank Mancala (also called Kalah). Two players take turns moving stones, capturing them from their opponent’s pits (small pockets), and depositing them into their Mancala, or bank (the large pit at the end of the board). When the pits on one player’s side of the board become empty, the player with the most stones in their Mancala is the winner.
Touring : The Great Automobile Card Game. (1914)
“Touring” pits players against each other in an automobile race. Cards depict problems that drivers of the 1910s might have encountered in the early era of automobility, such as a crash with a carriage or being towed by a mule. The player’s speed limit depends on whether they are in the city (5 mph) or the country (10 mph). These limits are low even for 1915, as the first numerical US speed limit in 1901 set the maximum speed for cars at 12 mph in cities, and 15 mph on rural roads.
African Wildlife box art
African Wildlife [kit]. (2017)
“African Wildlife” from National Geographic Kids consists of a 3D puzzle kit, plus an educational manual designed to introduce African wildlife to American children. The kit consists of interlocking, chunky cardboard pieces which, when assembled, form nine large animals, plus an SUV with a photographer, and a savannah-like environment. Along with facts about specific animals included in the kit, the booklet introduces larger concepts, such as, “Africa is home to many of the world’s […] most endangered animals. It is also widely regarded as the place where human life originated.” The booklet also contains IKEA-like instructions to assemble the kit’s components.
***
For more information on the Transportation Library’s services or collections, please visit our website or contact us at transportationlibrary@northwestern.edu. You can also find us on Instagram and Twitter.
For more information on the Herskovits Library’s services or collections, please visit our website or contact us at africana@northwestern.edu. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.