Suffragettes In and Out of Prison

Spiral board game entitled 'Suffragettes In and Out of Prison.' The aim of the game is for players, representing Suffragettes to find their way out of prison by avoiding obstacles along the way. In the centre of the board is a drawing of the entrance to Holloway where most Suffragettes were imprisoned. The players through a die and move counters to see who will escape first. Obstacles along the way include 'spaces' marked 'policeman', 'wall' and 'wardress'. Other 'spaces' are marked 'open door' allowing those who land on these spaces to jump into the next section. The outer border of the card is printed with a red background. On the reverse of the card are printed directions for playing the game and an advertisement for the Morning Leader newspaper. Although the game was purchased for 1d by Ernest King on 18th December 1908 from a street trader operating in the St Paul's area of London it is probable that the game was originally given away as a promotional free gift by the Morning Leader to boost sales of the newspaper. This cheaply produced game sheet reflects the impact the Suffragettes had on popular culture and Edwardian society.