THE LAMPLIGHTER - RARE 1854 CARD GAME by a LADY - PUBLISHED in BOSTON by D.P. IVES & CO. -COMPLETE with 20 CARDS and ORIGINAL RULES - PARTIAL BOX

This rare early American card game was designed by Anne Wales Abbott (1808 - 1908), who also designed the game of Dr. Busby, published by W. and S.B. Ives of Salem MA.  This game was published in Boston by David Perkins Ives (1828 - 1908), listed in Boston business directories as a bookseller and stationer, and the son of Stephen B. Ives.

 

The game is based on the 1854 bestselling novel The Lamplighter by Maria S. Cummins. The book tells the story of Gertrude Flint, an abandoned and mistreated orphan rescued from her abusive guardian Nan Grant at the age of eight by lamplighter Trueman Flint.  Gertrude is lovingly raised and taught virtues and religious faith. She becomes a moralistic woman. In adulthood, she is rewarded for her long suffering with marriage to a childhood friend.

 

The game is complete with 20  2 1/2" x 3 1/2" hand-colored cards in very good condition, as well as the card with the rules.  The box is incomplete - the top and bottom are present, but the sides are missing.