EBNER (Carl).
Die Nationen der Erde. Ein belehrendes Spiel fur die Iugend.
Rare educational game map, played on a map of the world from the late eighteenth century, noting the latest discoveries made by Captain James Cook and others. The game consists of a tour of the world through 60 destination spots as marked (and numbered, linked to the text below) on the map, each illustrated by a costumed native from that country or region. Australia includes a “Neuhollander” and a “Van Diemenslander”. Tahitians, Hawaiians, New Caledonians and New Zealanders are also represented. We imagine the game originally included pieces of some sort, but none are present here. The text allows the players to win or forfeit counters as they make their way round.
The National Library of Australia copy is dated circa 1820, but given that mainland Australia and Tasmania are joined, it is more accurately placed slightly earlier. The central figure in Europe appears to be Napoleon Bonaparte, in characteristic pose with his arm across his chest.
