old game parker brothers
Parker Brothers 1893 Old Game

The Good Old Game of Proverbs, published by Parker Brothers in 1893, demonstrates the simplicity of ‘party games’ of the time, and offers a wonderful glimpse into past pleasures.  The game consists of merely 96 small cards (1”x2”), each with a Proverb written upon it.  Instructions for various methods of how to play with these Proverbs’ Cards are also included inside the colorful game box.

The box itself measures only 5” x 6.5”, but don’t let the size fool you, because as mentioned, it is packed full of tiny pieces of wisdom.  I love getting the game out, and if not to play, to just pick out a random Proverb to read.  They are timeless treasures and interesting words to keep in mind.

And that is just what the game did.  It challenged players of Proverbs as to whether or not they kept the Proverbs in mind.  For one method of playing the game was as follows:

*One player is selected to leave the room and be the ‘Guesser’.

*All other players choose one of the Proverbs from the box.

*Each of these players, in order, are given ONE word from the chosen Proverb, and then the Guesser is invited back in.

*The Guesser is then to ask one player at a time a Question.  The player must answer him, but he must include the word from the Proverb he was given, in his answer.

*The Guesser continues asking Questions to players, to which they answer with inclusion of the given Proverb word, until the Guesser can figure out and cite The Proverb.

*The player who gave the final answer, which allowed the Guesser to cite the correct Proverb, is then the Guesser, and play repeats.

 

parker brothers old game
The Good Old Game of Proverbs contents

Simple, but interesting.  Not only do I wonder what type of questions were commonly asked, but also how elaborate the answers were!  I can imagine players got pretty creative. (or when we play it, we do today at least)

And of course that is partly what offers the fun and laughs.  Not only trying to catch the Proverb word in the answer and realize the Proverb, but to think of questions and answers.  I’m sure many players would have made comments similar to today’s WTF?

Some of the Proverbs in the box are extremely well known today. Such as:

Haste makes waste,   It is no use to cry over spilt milk,  or A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Others a bit less so. Such as:

Many littles make a mickle,  Never attempt to bite a file, or A cat may look at a king.

What I ask myself is what if a player hadn’t ever heard of the Proverb; How is he suppose to ‘Guess it’?  I suppose it was thought players would know them.

Within the directions are a few other methods of how to play.  There rules include for all players to ‘Shout’ their word out at once, and have the Guesser name the Proverb, or have the players act out their words or the full Proverb itself.

Imagine acting out:  The Early Bird Gets the Worm or Procrastination if a Thief of Time.

What fun!

And so I appreciate this old game of Proverbs sitting on my shelf, and it’s simple way to bring out and offer laughs yet today….even after over 100 years it is still an enjoyable game.

 

Play a game today!

9 Comments

  1. I’ve been looking for an old game for ya, but no luck so far. I love treasure hunting, especially fun to find something someone else collects and give it to them. PS….Skeleton canyon has a hidden treasure, heard about it? : )

    Kedar's Mom
  2. Oh thanks for keeping an eye out for old games for me, Kedar’s Mom! How thoughtful! Looking for them is like treasure hunting to me too…… and I can never have enough. Thank you (but I would reimburse you).

    I plan on adding my games on here…..over the next few months….

    Skeleton Canyon? hmmmm…..I don’t know…maybe…

    Jenny Kile
  3. I’ll try to keep a lookout for old games too, Jenny.

    I have a mint copy of the Monopoly knockoff called Ghettopoly. LOL! Seriously.

    I’ll let you Google that game if you don’t know about it already. It’s hilarious.

    You can still buy a copy for $85. Or you can get it for a real steal if you just steal it…no pun intended. And what would be more fitting than a stolen copy of Ghettopoly? 🙂

    I’d be happy to gift you my copy if you don’t want to steal one.

    Sorry to bring up that subject on a page about Proverbs. Totally out of place…I admit.

    The early bird may get the worm…but the second mouse gets the cheese.

    JC1117
    1. I walked into goodwill today and told myself..if I find a game for jenny today..it is a sign..lol…that had me worried, but then as I checked the shelves this cute little game said..here I am, just what you were looking for..it is a gift.. : )Hey you have my email send your address. My friend is sending you my number too.

      Kedar's Mom

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