The New Game of Human Life - an original board game from 1790 de Wallis, James, publisher - 1790

London: Wallis, James, 1790. Hand-colored engraved game board measuring 47x67 cm (18½x26½"), in 12 sections mounted to canvas. (no dice or figures included)

An early board game, designed with a spinning totem in mind "To avoid introducing a Dice box into private Families", the two spiraling rows feature 84 engraved spaces for pieces to move from infancy to "The Immortal Man".

Wear and soiling to panels, some loss along folds; good. Ships from Hawaii. 2-12 Players
· · 30 Min
· Playing Time
"Being the most agreeable & rational recreation ever invented for youth of both sexes."
A roll-and-move racing game with 84 space illustrating different stages of a man's life, broken down into 12 ages - boyhood, youth, young man, the prime of life, the sedate man, the old man, and decrepitude. The players race to reach the ending space, depicting The Immortal Man.
RULES OF THE GAME (engraved in the centre of the playing surface)
The Immortal Man, who has existed 84 years, seems worthy of his Talents and Merit to become for the Close of Life, which can end only by Eternity. When we shall arrive at the No.84, we shall have gain'd all we can by this Game, but if we exceed this number, we must go back as many points as we have proceeded beyond it.
The Age of Man is divided into seven periods of 12 years, viz. Infancy to Youth, Manhood, Prime of Life, Sedate Middle Age, Old Age, Decrepitude and Dotage. He passes through life in a variety of situations which are arrange in the order they generally succeed each other.
This game like all others of the same kind is played with a totum, each Player spinning twice in his turn, the only difference is, that the Players cannot stop at any one of the seven ages, but must proceed as many points beyond, as they have in coming to them. Yet as they may spin at the first 2 sixes and consequently would go onto 84, which would be most improper, those who have this chance at first, must content them selves with going to the Historian at 39.
The Studious Boy at 7 shall receive a Stake and shall proceed to 42, the place of the Orator.
The Negligent Boy at 11 shall pay a Stake and shall remain two rounds without spinning.
The Assiduous Youth at 15 shall receive 2 Stakes, and proceed to 55, where he will find the Patriot.
The Triflet at 19 shall pay 1 Stake, and proceed to the Songster at 38.
The Duellist at 22 shall pay 2 Stakes, and return to take the place of the Boy at Number 3.
The Complaisant Man at 26 shall remain there, and let others play until another comes to take his place, and then he shall go back to the place of his liberator.
The Prodigal at Number 30 shall pay four Stakes, and go back to the Careless Boy at Number 6.
The Married Man at 34 shall receive two Stakes for his Wife's Portion and go to be a Good Father at 56.
The Romance Writer at 40 shall pay 2 Stakes and go back to the Mischievous Boy at 5.
The Dramatist at 44 shall pay 4 Stars to the Masters of his Art and shall begin the game again.
The Benevolent Man at 52 shall go to 78 to amuse himself with the Joker.
The game is played as a journey through life from the age of 1 to 84. The Age of Man is divided into seven periods, each of twelve years: Infancy to Youth, Manhood, Prime of Life, Sedate Middle Age, Old Age, Decrepitude and Dotage. He passes through life in a variety of situations that are arranged in the order in which they generally succeed each other. The game is played with a teetotum, an early form of dice.

The Temperate Man at 58 shall go to 82, to find the Quiet Man.
The Drunkard at 63 shall pay 2 Stakes and go back to the Child at 2.
The Patient Man at 68 shall receive 2 Stakes and go to amuse himself with the merry fellow at 80.
The Manhater at 71 shall pay 2 Stakes and go back to the Obstinate Youth at 16.
The Old Beau at 74 shall receive 1 Stake and let each of the others play one round.
The Satyrist at 77 shall pay 4 Stakes and go back to the Malignant Boy at 8.
Lastly the Tragic Author at 45 shall go to the place of the Immortal Man at 84 and win the Game by Succeeding him.