Complete Depression-Era Map Board Game

"The Game of American Tours",

This complete Depression-era cartographic board game was issued by the Glessner Company, a company that specialized in cold and cough medicine. The board is a simple folding pictorial map of the United States, with little illustrations showcasing the landmarks, resources, and culture. There are five trails traveling east and west across the country, and two circle tours north and south. The goal is for players to get their automobile (represented by a small colored circle) from one side of the country to the other before their opponents. Small cardboard cards advance the players or put obstacles in their path, such as "Bridge Down - Lose 50 Miles" or "Detour - Lose 100 Miles." Cards shilling for Glessner Company products like Turpo and Glessco advance the players an absurd ten spaces. The set includes the board printed on light card stock (the instructions suggest mounting on cardboard for durability and ease of play); 48 cards and 12 automobile pieces; a rule sheet; and the original illustrated envelope with the alternate title American Tours - A Fascinating Game and a price of 50 cents.

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Condition: A

Map board is clean and bright, issued folding. There is a bit of light toning on the rule sheet and minor toning and wear to the envelope.