The Checkered Game of Life
1861
- First published
- 1861
Where to find one
Search for The Checkered Game of Life on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
The Checkered Game of Life was created in 1860 by Milton Bradley, a lithographer in Springfield, Massachusetts. Motivated by a desire to provide a morally instructive alternative to the popular parlor games of the time, which often focused on gambling, Bradley designed his game to reward virtues like industry, honor, and perseverance. It stands as the first game mass-produced by the Milton Bradley Company, marking the beginning of the firm's significant influence on the American board game industry.
The game's design reflects the mid-19th-century American preoccupation with self-improvement and the Protestant work ethic. Players navigated a board divided into checkered squares, aiming to reach 'Happy Old Age' by accumulating points through positive life actions while avoiding pitfalls like 'Idleness' or 'Intemperance.' The game was an immediate success, selling thousands of copies within its first year and establishing a template for the modern educational board game.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real games collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About The Checkered Game of Life
The Checkered Game of Life is a game in the Board Games catalog on collecto.rs. 1861. Catalog data is sourced from Wikidata. No public games collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track The Checkered Game of Life on collecto.rs?
The Checkered Game of Life doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of The Checkered Game of Life?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your game, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other board games collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the The Checkered Game of Life catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for The Checkered Game of Life is sourced from Wikidata. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs games tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your games is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every game you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
