Mirror of Truth board game (1811)
Antique board game. There is a copy of this game in the collection of Yale University and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is mounted on cardboard and is in a simple antique frame and has been for an unknown number of years. It is from the Busbee family of Raleigh NC (incidentally founders of the Jugtown Pottery in North Carolina). Being printed on paper it is not in good condition, however is intact as photos indicate. Writing on the back provides provenance. We have no idea, of course, if it is collectible.
22.5" x 18"
Inherited
Yes
Hi Dave,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The Mirror of Truth is an early 19th-century moral board game, part of a popular genre designed to teach ethics, religion, and proper behavior rather than competition or chance. Aimed at children and family, particularly in middle- and upper-class households, and often printed as “The Mirror of Truth; or, A New Game of Instruction” (wording varies slightly by edition), it was a didactic game meant to reinforce Christian virtues, moral conduct, and social responsibility.
Initially developed in England circa 1810–1830, it was later sold in the US in varying versions. It was typically played with a spinner or teetotum (dice were often avoided in moral games because of gambling associations).
The couple of examples that I've found that have come up for auction have sold in the $300-500 range.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
