Rare "Game of War" in Sepia Ink

"Das Kriegs-Spiel Darinen Alles das Jenige...", Schenk, Pieter

This very rare and fascinating engraving, printed in sepia ink, is a game designed to teach players about terms used in war. The sheet can either be used as a game board accompanied by a pair of dice, or dissected into 52 playing cards. Rules for playing with dice are listed at top, with directions for what happens when landing on various spaces on the board, such as losing a turn or moving forward extra spaces. Each space, or card, depicts term associated with war and includes explanatory text, with explanations on military maneuvers, prisoners of war, encampments, officers, and more. At right is an index of terms used within the game. When used as a game board, the players start at number 1 at bottom left, winding their way around the board to the center at number 53, which bears a vignette of a king handing a gift to a "hero." Schenk's imprint appears on cartouche adjacent to the center square, festooned with military symbols. Military-themed games are very rare, and even more rarely found printed in sepia ink.

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Condition: B+

Minor soiling with a weak impression in bottom right corner and professional repairs to a centerfold separation at bottom and to two 2" clean cuts adjacent to the centerfold at top.