{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O27540"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O27540/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AA7071/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AA7071/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AA7071","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O27540/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O27540","accessionNumber":"MISC.4-1985","objectType":"Table game","titles":[{"title":"the game of spellicans","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Design: wooden spillikins with hooks\nNo. of pieces: 29 and 2 hooks","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"card","id":"x30344"},{"text":"paper fiber product","id":"AAT14109"}],"techniques":[{"text":"printing","id":"AAT53319"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Toys & Games","id":"THES262248"},{"text":"Games (puzzles & board games)","id":"THES274377"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"YVA","id":"THES48593"},"images":["2006AA7071"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"012","id":"THES324246"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Table game","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"published","id":"x30682"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1890-1900","earliest":"1890-01-01","latest":"1900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"published","id":"x30682"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"Size: box-12cm x 4.6cm x 2.3cm, l. 4in","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Title on box lid:-  THE GAME OF SPELLICANS WOOD.  This game may be played by two or more persons.  The game does not only afford a source of amusement, but at the same time conveys instruction with it.\n\nThe label is green printed in black with the name.  It is similar to those labels used by John Jaques & Son Ltd and the company did make these games.\nIt is very similar to Misc. 194-1976. \nThere is a separate instructions sheet headed RULES FOR THE GAME OF SPILLIKINS which is marked with HPG & Sons Ltd, and produced by HP Gibson.\n \nAntique Toys and their Background, p. 125.","historicalContext":"No. of Players: any\nEquipment required: 29 spillikins  with 21 (9 pairs and 1 trio) marked in red ink with Roman numerals which are not consecutive, 3 pairs have no numbering\n2 hooks\nblue/green printed instructions sheets\nwooden box\n\nRules: SPILLIKINS, OR SPELLICANS\n\nSpillikins and Jackstraws are similar games which test the player's skill at removing straws or small sticks from a pile, one at a time. and without disturbing any of its neighbours.  Any number may play.\n\nThe game originated in China and is played with a set of about 30 ivory, wood, or plastic strips.  These thin strips have carved heads representing animals, people, and other shapes.  There is also a carved hook for moving the strips.\n\nThe order of play is determined by a throw of dice or any other agreed means.  The past person in the playing order then takes all the spillikins in one hand and drops them on to the table or floor.  He must not interfere with any after they have left his hand.\n\nAt his turn, each player takes the carved hook and attemptes to remove a pillikin from the pile without disturbing any of the others.  Once a player has started moving a particular one, he is not permitted to transfer his attack to a different one.  If he is successful, he keeps the spillikin and tries to remove another one from the pile.  A player's turn continues until he disturbs a spillikin other than the one he is attacking.  Play continues in this way untill all the spillikins ahve been taken.\n\nScoring.  Each spillikin has a points value and a game is won by the player with the highest score.  Spillikins that are generally fairly easy to move have a low value and more elaborate and difficult to move ones hve a correspondingly higher value.\n\nJACKSTRAWS\nThis variant to spillikins is also known as jerkstraws, juggling sticks, pick-up sticks and pick - a - stick\nIt is played with about 50 wood or plastic sticks or straws.  These are usually about 6in long, rounded and with pointed ends, and coloured according to their points value. \n\nThe rules of play are the same except players remove the sticks with their fingers or in some versions may use a stick of a specified colour after they have drawn one from the pile.\n\nMAGNETIC JACKSTRAWS\nThis is a modern form of jackstraws in which the straws are made of metal and must be removed from the pile by means of a small horseshoe magnet.","briefDescription":"\"The Game of Spellicans\", boxed; Wood, English, 1875-1900","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"probably j Jaques & Son, h p g & sons ltd (international series) london e c 1 (on separate rules)","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["MISC.4-1985"],"accessionNumberNum":"4","accessionNumberPrefix":"MISC","accessionYear":1985,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-12","recordCreationDate":"2000-03-05","availableToBook":false}}