Children’s board game intended to introduce children to the flags of nations of the world, with the flag of Israel as most important and valuable. Published by Benjamin Barlevy – pioneer of the games industry in Israel, Tel Aviv 1950s.
The game instructions sheet reads: “On May 11, 1949 after a difficult war against 7 Arab kings, and after our great victory over the Arab invaders of our land – our flag was recognized as equal among equals by the UN in Lake Success, America, and our flag waves among the flags of nations of the world with stature and honor… Honor to our flag, the flag of Israel – pride of our nation”. The game’s goal is to purchase as many flags as possible, valued according to each country’s population, with Israel’s flag price as highest. Whoever first reaches Israel’s flag spot receives a 40 shekel ticket, highest value. And any player who lands on an occupied Israel flag space pays parking fees to the holder. The winner is whoever first reaches 100 on the world map with their game piece.
Game parts:
World map game board with color lithograph print – surrounded by 60 national flags
60 cardboard flag cards
60 one shekel banknotes
60 ten shekel banknotes
60 one hundred shekel banknotes
4 soldiers
Two dices
Instructions sheet with Israeli flag.
The game “Our Flag Among the Flags of Nations” was created amidst the “national” games made by Barlevy which conveyed the ethos of the Jewish settlement, including “The Librarian”, “Trip in Eretz Israel”, “We Build Eretz Israel”, and “Our Land”. Barlevy intended them to enhance the sense of “us” and strengthen Hebrew nationalism so characteristic of the early 1950s. Barlevy saw himself bearing an educational mission expressed in the instruction sheets of these games, including in “Our Flag”, which had an introduction in eloquent visionary Hebrew aimed at educating the younger generation to the values of people and land, attached to the game. Writing the “Game Instructions” allowed Barlevy to express himself as a “writer” and state his educational and political “credo”. The high quality illustrated game board also typifies Barlevy’s refusal to compromise, working with the finest artists and designers of the period, like Paldi and Ovadiahu, Moshe Matus (Matusovski), Iza Hershkowitz, David Gilboa, Josef Bass and others.
Box: 36x28x3 cm. Sales tax sticker affixed to box. Complete game. Good condition.
