Game of Dr. Busby [graphic].
Title
Game of Dr. Busby
Description
Early edition of the popular matching and memory card game designed by Ann Abbot and composed of four suits of five cards (Busby, Doll, Mr. Ninny-Come-Twitch, and Gardener). Suits are denoted with a different pictorial detail in the upper right corner: a mortar and pestle; pan of milk; an eye; and a spade. Suit of mortar and pestle cards depict “Dr. Busby” attired in a top hat, blue jacket with tails, and yellow pantaloons while standing with a walking stick and a bottle of medicine in his left hand in front of the corner of the “Busby Medicine's Drug" storefront with large display windows; “his Wife” attired in a long-sleeved red dress with yellow neckerchief and yellow cap while seated and embroidering; his “Son” wearing a mustache, a blue, cinched blouse, black pants, and a mortarboard, and standing with a walking stick in front a seminary-like building in the distant background; his female “Servant” wearing her hair in a low bun, a blue, deep neck dress with the sleeves pushed up, and a red apron while ironing a shirt next to a basket of laundry on a table; and “Doll, the dairy-maid’s black-eyed Lover” attired in a long-sleeved white shirt, red neckerchief, apron, and blue pants and standing, arms crossed, in front of a broom, wheel barrow of hay, and a barn yard in the distance., Suit of pan of milk cards depict “Doll, the dairy-maid,” her head tilted to the side, and attired in a corseted, red dress with half sleeves, a V-neck, and yellow apron while standing with a pail in one hand and the other behind her back near a fence and a milking stool; her “Father," balding, attired in a dark jacket, yellow vest, and blue pantaloons, while seated on a chair with a newspaper in his lap, a mug in one hand and smoking a pipe with the other beside a table with a tablecloth, lit candle, eye glasses, and a book; her “Brother” attired in a white, flouncy blouse with collar and red tie, yellow pants, and a yellow wide-brimmed straw hat and holding a rake in front of mounds of hay; her “Servant,” shown from the back, and attired in a blue sack coat, tan pants, and black wide-brimmed hat, while using a milkmaid’s yoke to carry pails of milk; her “pan of milk” being lapped at by a black cat while on a round table above a pail underneath it., Suit of eye cards depict Mr. Ninny-Come-Twitch attired in a top hat, yellow vest, red cravat, long black coat, and blue trousers with one hand on a walking stick and the other tucked into his coat while standing beside a dog resembling a greyhound; “his Wife,” her long hair on her shoulders and attired in a red, long-sleeved dress with bandeau neckline, and yellow apron while playing a piano from a book of music; his “Son” attired in a school outfit of a yellow short jacket with a white collar and blue pants, and his cap on the ground as he defends himself from a fight with another boy in school attire (red cap, red short jacket, and yellow pants) and with his fists up; his “Servant,” an African American man attired in a top hat, green coat with red collar and cuffs, ruffled white shirt, and tan pants while holding a basket over one arm and a whip in his opposite hand; and “One Eye” colored blue and part of a person’s face., Suit of spade cards depict “the Gardener” attired in a red jacket, yellow vest, and blue pants while holding a hook knife near a ladder and under a grape vine across from his hat on the ground and a fenced pasture in the background; “his Wife” attired in a blue, long-sleeved dress with white ruffled collar, and a yellow bonnet while using her apron to hold a bushel of roses in front of a young girl attired in a red dress with yellow pantaloons and yellow bonnet and holding a rose and basket; his “Son” attired in a red, blousy shirt, apron, blue pants, and wide-brimmed hat while using a hoe; his “Servant” attired in a short blue jacket, yellow vest and tan pants while walking through a fenced pasture and carrying a basket of fruit on his shoulder that hides his face; and his “Spade” resting idle on a stone wall on which a rose bush and other greenery climbs and two potted plants are displayed. "The Improved and Illustrated Game of Dr. Busby" first published in 1843 purportedly sold over 15,000 copies in 18 months. The game has been credited with creating the explosion in popularity of games in America during the 19th century and containing one of the earliest representations of an African American in an American game., Title from label pasted on maroon paper slip case: Gam[e] of Dr. Busby., Paper slip case contains a partially-removed illustrated label printed on green paper. Label depicts a woman ironing, i.e. the illustration on the Busby suit “Servant” card., Date from copyright statement printed on leaf of “Directions” pasted to inside of inner white cradle: Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by W. & S. B. Ives, in the Clerk’s Office of the District court of Massachusetts., "Directions" explicate the suits, "players should sit round a table," and a player is to call upon his right hand neighbors for any card not in his own hand until "he calls for one which his neighbor has not in his hand." Directions also explain the next player needs to "call for those cards which have been called for and obtained by the first" so players must be attentive as "the game is made longer and more complicated by every failure of memory" until its close when the victor has all "four families united in his hand", LCP copy has variant title: Game of Dr. Busby., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Housed in phase box., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
Creator
Abbot, Anne W. (Anne Wales), 1808-1908
Date
1843
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums - Busby [P.2015.28]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette showing a female allegorical figure seated in a chariot pulled by lions. She wears a crown, and holds a key and sceptor. Figure possibly personifies earth or represents the republic of the United States., Includes verse: Love thy Maker-let it be duty and delight to thee. When the day breaks o'er the hill. At the sunset hour so still. Let each living creature share Thy warm love & be they care; Let what'er thine eyes may see Form a link twixt heaven & thee., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.155]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central patriotic-themed vignette showing an American eagle, with the U.S. shield, and sailing a river on an American flag. A steam boat and train are visible in the background., Includes verse: Worship to God alone belongs, Worship to him alone we give, His be our heart & his our songs. And to his glory we would live., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.156]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette showing three female allegorical figures, including Ceres (i.e., bounty) and Liberty., Includes verse: Now is the time each child should try, in life's bright, sunny morn, To lay rich stores of knowledge by, Ere wintry age comes on., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.157]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette showing a Native American man seated on a hillside and watching a train approaching a town. Another train travels past the town., Includes verse: Tis sweet oh sweet to know, If we our time improve, We shall be happy while below, And dwell in heaven above., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.158]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette showing a steamboat departing a dock. People line the dock across from a passing train., One of prints [P.2011.10.152]: Presented to R. Wallace Harnt. By E. A. [Cord?]., Includes verse: Remember thy Creator. Child with the glad, glad heart. And joy shall be thy portion, When thou with life shall part., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.152 & 153]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette showing the bare-chested, allegorical female figure Ceres (i.e., Bounty). She sits on sheaves of wheat near a plow, Cows are visible in the background., Includes verse: Come let us haste to the schoolroom away, Nor tarry a moment of time on the way, For when lessons are learn'd and our tasks are all done, We may sport on the green till the set of the sun., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.154]
Reward of merit
Title
Reward of merit
Description
Contains central vignette, including a portrait of George Washington, and ornamental side borders. Vignette depicts a female figure and a cherub flanking the portrait near a rose bush and elevated on a tuft of ground. The cherub lays a rose garland across the top of the portrait. Grape vines comprise the borders., Presented to Mr. Charles Nash. By A. B. Sanford, Instructor., Manuscript note on verso: Presented to Charles B. Nash Esq. By Miss Amillie B. Sanford. [Illegible ] of Hamilton, Madison County, New York State., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler.
Date
[ca. 1850]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Rewards of Merit [P.2011.10.151]