‘The first known dated game [in England] is ‘A Journey through Europe’, produced by the geographer John Jefferys in September 1759. This was to set the pattern for map games for the next eighty years, although it seems to have been over a decade before the idea was first copied by anyone else … In these games … the geometrical arrangement of the course has been replaced by a track meandering across the surface of a map, punctuated by numbered stopping-places at various cities or other places of interest’ (Hill). A fascinating geographical game published by John Wallis (d.1818). Wallis was a publisher of maps, books and prints at the ‘Map Warehouse’ in Ludgate Street. One of his specialities was cartographic games and puzzles. This ‘Tour’ through England and Wales is the first edition dated 24 December 1794, possibly published a little late for the Christmas market! The two side panels contain the directions to play the game and a numbered key to 117 places on the map, each with brief description. The title goes on to advertise ‘Where may be had upon the same Plan a Tour round the World, & another through Europe.’ A rare survivor of a popular game of the day. Provenance: Barclay Antiques 1986 £100; private English collection. Hill (1978). ‘Cartographical Curiosities’ pp. 7-14. BL Maps C.24.b.19.