An early ad for The Landlord's Game

The Public, May 12, 1906, page 143.

THE LANDLORD'S GAME

invented by Miss Lizzie Magie of Washington, D. C, will be manufactured and ready for the market about June 1st.

DESCRIPTION

The Landlord's Game is played on a board about 18 inches square, divided into 46 spaces representing all the various institutions of modern commercial life. The names of some of these spaces are "Soakum Lighting System," "Slambang Trolley," "Gee Whiz Railroad," "Lord Blueblood's Estate," "Wayback," "Boomtown." "Easy Street." "Broadway," "Timberlands.''  "Oil Fields," "Jail," "Poor House," etc.

The play on the board is started by the throw of dice which indicates the moves of the players and from that time on the transactions between individuals, corporations and the government are entered into with vim and interest. At the start the players are equally equipped but as the moves continue the majority of the players are apt to be forced into poverty, some even arriving at the Poor House, while one player generally becomes the millionaire.

THE SINGLE TAX

This condition prevails until the adoption of the single tax on land values, when the land rents, instead of being appropriated by individual players, are turned into the public treasury and used for public improvements. The game as then continued equalizes opportunities and raises wages, while it is impossible for one player to get any great advantage over the others.

The game brings out with great clearness the exact position in the commercial world of money, transportation and land monopoly. Unlike most games that have sought to teach a problem, this game preserves all the principal features of the popular chance and skill games, at the same time demonstrating the problem with clearness and simplicity. It is easily learned and is played with great enthusiasm by children as well as adults.

TESTIMONIALS:

Mr. John Z. White says:

The Landlord's Game Is something with which all single taxers should be familiar, as It will not only afford them much amusement, but will enable them to make practical illustrations of disputed points. It gives opportunity in this direction that can be secured in no other way. The "cat" is so clearly revealed that even he who runs may perceive.

Mr. Henry George. Jr., says:

The Landlord's Game illustrates the salient points of the single tax philosophy and is also interesting as a game.

Mrs. Jennie L, Munroe. Vice-Pres. of the National Woman's Single Tax League, says:

A thorough understanding of the principles of the Landlord's Game is equal to a whole course in political economy.

Rev. Alex. Kent, Pastor People's Church, Washington. D. C, says:

The game is instructive and at the same time absorbingly interesting.

The game will be furnished in a neat box with lithographed board in colors, will include a pack of cards representing title deeds, railroad charters, etc., besides checkers, dice, money and all other implements necessary to the playing of the game, and will be sent to any address in the United States on receipt of one dollar. Postage 20 cents extra.

Address MISS LIZZIE J. MAGIE, Secretary, ECONOMIC GAME COMPANY. 58 WEST 68th ST., NEW YORK, N. Y.

 

LVTfan here: the ad has no graphics.   But this game is the inspiration for the board game we know as Monopoly.