Children's box game "Concern" [Rikuz], published by Benjamin Barlevy (number 132), Tel Aviv, 1941 - first edition. The first Hebrew version of the "Monopoly" game - the most popular game among Israeli and world children. Complete.
First and rare edition of the Hebrew version of the most popular board game in the world, Monopoly, most associated with Barlevy's Hebrew games factory.
"The game before you is a reflection of life, from an individual's efforts to himself and from an individual acting within various public economic enterprises, increasing and accumulating through his actions, the public wealth or his private fortune." (From Barlevy's instructions).
The "Concern" game, published by Barlevy in a rich detailed colorful print with attention to quality components. The board was designed by illustrator Moshe Orbach, and the central board illustration was "borrowed" from an American bank advertising poster (which Barlevy did not bother to pay copyrights for). "Concern" is a prominent example of a local version of the world's successful game - Monopoly. This game became Barlevy’s greatest commercial success, despite its high price and negative criticisms directed at it for its capitalist values, which did not fit the labor values taught to youth. In a letter to the editor of "Davar", Dr. Zehava Heinrich attacked the game claiming it was noneducational. According to her the game "teaches profiteering. The child is required to play with notes [on which an ancient Israeli shekel and two date palms taken from Barlevy's commercial symbol are printed], he buys and sells plots, and anyone who lands on another's property must pay reasonable rent, and specifically a notable amount, and whoever does not have means due to lack of money - cannot get help from his neighbour or friend. This is forbidden according to game rules, he must turn to the bank, but the bank does not lend the full amount, but half the sum and also charges interest". And further on: "...and who wins this wonderful game? Whoever manages to concentrate all the other participants' money in his hand" and she concludes: "This is the nature of the game and this is the lesson derived from it for our children! - Namely a completely improper game and one who wishes to guard his children's souls should distance them from it". (Davar newspaper October 9, 1941).
Despite criticism, the children of Eretz Israel chose "Concern" as their favorite game. The game in which Hebrew settlement children bought land in Tel Aviv and hotels in Hebron, gained immense popularity, with money bills in perutah values.
The board of the first edition before us includes Arab cities that disappeared in later editions, such as Nablus, Jenin and Gaza(!). Over the years the game had dozens of editions, and is essentially the most popular game to this day.
Box: 43x24x3 cm. Complete game including all cards, banknotes, game board, "houses", game pieces, two dice and instructions sheet. "Luxury tax" sticker glued to the inside of the lid. Overall very good condition.
