| Russian Desk Games of the 19th Century
The second type includes games with educational orientation. Owing to them children acquired knowledge and useful attainments. So, lotto principle well fits the study of history, geography and astronomy, foreign languages and Russian alphabet. Children could also do cutting out from paper and gluing various models. |
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| Children's theater consisted of scenery and figures which should be cut out and place as well as of a book with stage version text. It was suggested to play dramatic and opera performances, scenes from Russian history, popular festival, a walk to the zoo, and a journey by rail train. | |
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Realia of "serious" life were constantly reflected in the games and it is no mere chance in 1850s and 1870s the desk games based on concrete episodes of the wars against Turkey appeared in the Russian society known for its patriotic spirit. |
| The games of the latest century distinguish themselves by the high level of printing performance. They can be considered to be the full-fledged works of graphic arts. Initially games were manufactured using continuous-tone lithography and etching. Then since 1880s colourful chromolithography replaced them. |  |
 | Desk games are the unique documents of their epoch. They help to recollect the features of Russian way of life, to turn over the forgotten leaves of our culture of the 19th century.
Alina Yartseva |
