{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O26351"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O26351/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU4214/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU4214/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AU4214","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O26351/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O26351","accessionNumber":"E.2841-1962","objectType":"Board game","titles":[{"title":"The Novel and Elegant Game of the Basket of Fruit or Moral and Intellectual Dessert","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The full title of this game is 'The Delicious Game of the Fruit Basket: Containing  A Literary Treat for a Party of Juveniles, and running over with Choice Subjects for their Improvement and Diversion, in Various Familiar Scenes connected with Old England'. The fanciful name and design is not reflected in the nature of the teaching which is very strict and moral, using British institutions as guidelines. It is interesting because many different categories are described, such as Trial by Jury, A Lecture in Chemistry and Female Benevolent Society. Each bears a reward or forfeit, but the main aim of the game is to encourage learning and reading, rather than to win. The rules are preceded by a caution or friendly reminder to the players not to cheat.","physicalDescription":"Design: engraving, hand coloured; 9 sections mounted on linen; shows a basket of fruit, flowers and a bird together with various scenes.\nNo. of squares: 20\nSquares illustrated: all\nSquare numbering: all\nSquares titled: all\nSubject of starting square: Penitentiary\nSubject of ending square: glory","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Darton, William","id":"A5006"},"association":{"text":"publisher","id":"AAT25574"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"paper fiber product","id":"AAT14109"},{"text":"Linen material","id":"AAT14069"}],"techniques":[{"text":"hand-colouring","id":"AAT133555"},{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53225"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Hand coloured paper on linen","categories":[{"text":"Games","id":"THES48947"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"YVA","id":"THES48593"},"images":["2006AU4214"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES323894"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"SR001","id":"THES340938"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"SR001","id":"THES340938"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Board game","id":""}],[{"text":"case","id":"AAT45659"}],[{"text":"booklet","id":"THES282458"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"published","id":"x30682"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1822","earliest":"1822-01-01","latest":"1822-12-31"},"association":{"text":"published","id":"x30682"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"15.9","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"19.6","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"folded 6.75in x 5.5in","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"NB. While the term 'the blind' has been used in this record, it has since fallen from usage and is now considered offensive. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context.\n\nThe fanciful name and design is not reflected in the nature of the teaching which is very strict and moral using British institutions as guidelines. It is of interest as many diverse categories are described and the booklet very full. Each bears its own reward or forfeit, but the main aim of the game is to encourage learning and reading, rather than to win.\nRules booklet printed by R and A Taylor, Shoe Lane, London.","historicalContext":"Rewards: as directed\nForfeits: as directed\nNo. of Players: 2-3 or pairs\nEquipment required: markers, teetotum\n\nRules:\nAn Explanation of, or Key to THE DELICIOUS GAME OF THE FRUIT BASKET: Containing  A Literary Treat for a Party of Juveniles, and running over with choice Subjects for their Improvement and Diversion, In Various Familiar Scenes connected with Old England to Which are Prefixed the RULES OF THE GAME.\n\nDIRECTIONS.\nTwo or three persons may amuse themselves at this agreeable Pastime; and if a double set of Counters and Pyramids be purchased, Six Persons may play at it.\nThe Totum must be marked ONE TO EIGHT on its several faces, with a Pen and Ink, or with a Blacklead Pencil.\nThe Game may be begun agreeably to the following\nRULES:\n\n1.  Each player must have a Pyramid and four counters of the same colour.\nII. Spin for first player; the highest number to begin the game, when he or she is required to read to the Company `The Caution'  on page V of this book, before the game is opened.\nIII.  Let the first player spin, and place his or her pyramid on the Game, according to the number turned up.  The others, in turn, are to do the same; referring to the Explanation for a Description of the Plates.\nIV.  At each following spin, add the number turned up to that on which the Pyramid stands; and proceed accordingly, till some one arrive at No. 20, who wins the Game.\nV,  Whoever goes beyond No. 20, must go back as many as he exceeds it; and try again when his turn comes.\nVI. When directed to stop one or more turns, the player is to place so many counters on his number, and take one up each time, instead of spinning, till all be redeemed.\nVII.  When the spinner reads an article which has a note, he or she must refer to the page of Notes for an explanation and read the same aloud.\n\nTHE CAUTION OR FRIENDLY HINT\n\nBefore in this Game we proceed,\nPermit me a few words to say;\nI will not five minutes exceed,\nor detain you, good folk, from your play.\nI trust all around me are friends,\nAnd will take what I say in good part;\nShould a word of my CAUTION offend,\nIt would grieve me indeed to the heart.\nBut I wish to put all on their guard\nAgainst certain tricks I have seen;\nAnd think not my censure too hard,\nWhen I call them both cunning and mean.\nI observe even those whom I love,\nIf they like not the number they spin,\nWill the counter, or tee-totum move,\nIn hope by such cheating to win.\nBut even in trifles like these,\nSuch conduct should never take place;\nMean actions get on by degrees,\nTill they end in our total disgrace.\nBesides, though we call this a Game,\nWe cannot but quickly discern\nIt's only a sport as to name-\nIn the Play, there is something to learn:\nImprovement with Mirth is design'd;\nAnd the least we can do for such care,\nWhile the moral sinks deep in the mind,\nIs to play its rules open and fair,\nThe gambler all hate and despise;\nFor he plays but to cheat and to gain:\nBut we, to be better and wise;\nAnd neither to cause or feel pain.\nWell, now I have finish'd my Task;\nAnd should any be tempted to wrong,\nI have only one favour to ask,\nThat-they pause, and reflect on my song.\n\nThe stages of the game are:\n1.  Penitentiary\n2.  Trial by Jury\n3.  Domiciliary Visit to the Indigent\n4.  Students at the Royal Academy\n5.  Exhibition at the Royal Academy\n6.  An Infirmary\n7.  An Alms House\n8.  A Lecture in Chemistry\n9.  A Blue-Coat Boy\n10.  A National School\n11.  Cinfirmation\n12.  A Bazaar\n13.  Greenwich Pensioners\n14.  Female Benevolent Society\n15.  School for the Blind\n16.  Chelsea Pensioners\n1.7.  Matrimony\n18.  Harvest Home\n19.  A Bible Society\n20.  Glory inciting an Oxonian and a Cantab Student to Emulation, Learning and the Arts.\n\nRules placement: in booklet","briefDescription":"Hand coloured game, The Novel and Elegant Game of the Basket of Fruit published in England by William Darton in 1822","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.2841-1962","E.2841A-1962","E.2841B-1962"],"accessionNumberNum":"2841","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":1962,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-21","recordCreationDate":"2000-03-04","availableToBook":false}}