Klondike Board Game Map -- Alaskan Gold Fever in the UK
This rare circa 1897 board game, "Off to Klondike," reflects the global fascination sparked by the Klondike Gold Rush and the discovery of gold in the Yukon Territory in 1896. The color-printed game board incorporates a map and features vivid illustrations that capture the perilous journey prospectors faced in their quest for gold.
Produced by J. Jaques & Son, one of England's oldest makers of games and sports equipment, the game board illustrates the global reach of Alaskan Gold Fever.
The central path of the game snakes its way across the board, representing the arduous trek from various starting points to the coveted goldfields. The Yukon River is prominently shown on the board. The game outlines routes by steamer and train which begin at different points, including Victoria ("outward bound only"), where players "pay" for their passage. From these starting places the journey continues through the country, passing St. Michael's Island, Dawson City and the like. Each segment of the path is marked with numbers and events that reflect the historical challenges faced by prospectors. Notably, the "Homeward Bound" route, either by Forty Mile to Circle City or via Chilkoot Pass, is also incorporated into the game board map.
Key points on the board include:
- St. Michael's Island: Players pay to land or embark, reflecting the actual costs incurred during the journey by gold seekers.
- Chilkoot Pass Route ("Can be used on Homeward Journey Only): A notorious section known for its difficulty, where players encounter various obstacles such as starvation risk, robbers and the need to build boats.
- Fort Yukon and Circle City: Locations that serve as checkpoints, with instructions for players to wait or pay additional costs.
Illustrations on the board depict prospectors in rugged attire wielding pickaxes under harsh conditions, highlighting the adventurous spirit of the gold seekers. Other scenes include a steamship and a locomotive, symbolizing the modes of transportation critical to reaching the goldfields.
The game involved a combination of dice rolls and strategic decisions, with players advancing along the path based on chance and the cards or instructions they draw. The element of luck inherent in the game mirrors the real-life uncertainties of gold prospecting, where success depended heavily on fortune.
Published by J. Jaques & Son in London, this game stands as a brilliant visual artifact reflecting the widespread allure of the Klondike Gold Rush and offers insight into contemporary perceptions of adventure and fortune-seeking. The game's historical and cultural significance is enhanced by its detailed representation of the period's challenges and the romanticized view of the gold rush era.
A wonderful Klondike item which contributes to an understanding of the social and cultural impact of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Rarity
Very rare. Not in OCLC, which does, however, list other Klondike-themed board games, including:
- From Boston to Klondike by A.M. Robinson
- Going to Klondike? An Amusing and Instructive Game
- Horsman's game of Klondike : a game of surprises and divers dangers... by Maraquita Bangs
J. Jacques & Son is one of Britain's oldest sports and game manufacturers.
Founded in 1795 by Thomas Jaques, a farmer's son of French Huguenot descent, Jaques of London began as a manufacturer specializing in ivory, hardwoods, bone, and Tunbridge ware. Over the centuries, the company evolved under the stewardship of Thomas’s descendants, gaining renown for publishing and manufacturing games, notably under John Jaques the younger.
Jaques of London is credited with the invention and popularization of croquet. According to family lore, John Jaques II was a close friend of Lewis Carroll, the famed author of Alice in Wonderland. Carroll, a founding member of the croquet club at Oxford University, included the game in his celebrated novel. This connection is further evidenced by the illustrator Sir John Tenniel, who initially drew the Happy Families characters for Jaques before illustrating Alice in Wonderland. This intertwining of literary and gaming history highlights the influential social network surrounding Jaques of London, with Carroll’s niece, Irene Dodgson, marrying John Jaques III.
During World War II, the popularity of chess surged, and Jaques of London’s Staunton chess sets played a unique role in the war effort. MI9 ingeniously used Jaques's wooden chess sets to smuggle essential items to British and American prisoners of war. The hollowed-out pieces and chessboards concealed maps, currency, documents, and escape tools, aiding prisoners in their efforts to escape. This covert use of chess sets underscores Jaques’s historical significance beyond mere game manufacturing, contributing to wartime ingenuity and resistance.
The Staunton chess set, designed by Nathaniel Cooke for Jaques of London in 1849, represents a milestone in chess history. Renowned for its practical design and universal appeal, the Staunton set was named after Howard Staunton, a leading chess player of the era. This design has since become the standard for chess pieces worldwide, cementing Jaques of London's legacy in the annals of chess history.