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Cards for 'Captain Cook Voyage of Discovery' board game

Maker Studio Press Pty Ltd

Date1969

Object number00015501

NameBoard game accessory

MediumCardboard, ink

DimensionsOverall: 73 x 60 mm

ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionEight 'Go Back' cards which make up part of the game titled "Captain Cook Voyage of Discovery'. Each card bears a unique image of Australian native flora and fauna with title adjacent to each image and each card has a point system ranging from `1' to `6'. The game was manufactured by Studio Press and New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service. Players use the coloured ENDEAVOUR shaped tokens and these action cards to follow the voyages of Cook around the board, beginining in Portsmouth, England, to Botany Bay in Australia.HistoryIn this board game players follow the voyages of Cook around the board. The game was made by Studio Press Pty Ltd in Australia and New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1969. 'Captain Cook : Voyage of Discovery' is a simple roll and move educational game. The box proclaims: 'Relive the perils of Cook's historic first voyage...watch out for unfriendly natives...unfavourable winds...dangerous reefs and look forwards to exciting discovery unlimited..' Players win the game by being the first to get their ENDEAVOUR from the Portsmouth, England, to Botany Bay in Australia. The players move forward or backwards around the board track according to the cards that are drawn in sequence. No dice are used. Players in the game are drafted randomly into several different roles of the ENDEAVOUR: Bosun, 1st Mate, Joseph Banks, and of course Captain Cook. Cook has a few privileges and winners of the race get to play him in other rounds of the game. Cook moves first and is essentially the dealer. The game comes with an educational supplement published by the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service. The playing cards also contain illustrations and facts about some of the Flora and Fauna of New South Wales, Australia. The game also came with 'historic cut out medals' that players were encouraged to pin on themselves in order to add the element of role-play. SignificanceBoard games are significant in showing popular views of Australian maritime themes and maritime history. They
particularly show maritime folklore for children and with lively and evocative image they would also be useful as models for the development of educational programs for children.