Vintage Game of Goose Printable — Nieuw Vroolijk Ganzenspel, Groningen 19th Century

A 19th-century Dutch Game of Goose with a rare distinction: the rules for each special square are written in rhyming verse, printed directly on the board. Published in Groningen by W.R. Casparie — download and print at home in high resolution.

STORY & ORIGIN
This board, titled "Nieuw Vroolijk Ganzenspel" (New Joyful Game of Goose), was published in Groningen by W.R. Casparie in the 19th century. The coloured lithograph, the illustrated scenes surrounding the track and the central portrait of children gathered around a table make it an exceptional visual record of Dutch family life of the era.
What makes this board truly one of a kind: each special square — The Bridge, The Inn, The Maze, The Prison — is accompanied by a short rhyming poem printed on the board itself. A charming way to teach children the rules through verse and play, a pedagogy that feels both delightfully old-fashioned and surprisingly fresh.
Now in the public domain, this board can be freely reproduced. The original Dutch verse rules remain visible on the printed file.

HOW TO PLAY (2 to 6 players, ages 5+)
The player who rolls the highest number goes first.
Special first roll: 6 and 3 → advance directly to square 26. 4 and 5 → advance directly to square 53.
Goose squares: land on a goose, move forward again by the same number.
Square 6 — The Bridge: pay 1 token and advance directly to square 12.
Square 19 — The Inn: pay 2 tokens and miss your next turn.
Square 31 — The Well: pay 3 tokens and wait until another player lands on this square to free you — that player takes your place.
Square 42 — The Maze: pay 1 token and go back to square 30.
Square 50 — The Prison: pay 2 tokens and wait until another player lands on this square to free you — that player takes your place.
Square 58 — Death: pay 1 token and return to square 1.
If another player lands on your square, they take your place and you move back to their previous position.
If you overshoot square 63: move back by the excess number of squares.
Square 63 — Finish: the first player to land exactly on square 63 wins the game and the pot.

THE RULES IN VERSE — English translation (poetic style preserved)
THE BRIDGE (square 6)
Where are you now? / Stuck upon the bridge.
To cross the ditch below, / One token you must pay,
Then you're free to go — / Move on without delay!

THE INN (square 19)
Well, look who's here! / A fine cold glass of beer,
And then another still! / A toast — what joy, what cheer!
But stay a while, sit still — / Miss your turn, if you will!

THE MAZE (square 42)
Who knows the way out here? / Turn left, turn right, turn back,
You wander without track, / Each path leads you astray,
There is no other way — / Back to thirty, without delay!

THE PRISON (square 50)
Oh no! You're locked away! / A prisoner, cold and bare,
You count the hours there, / And wait for someone kind —
Who'll set you free one day, / What a cold cell they left behind!

WHAT'S INCLUDED
1 high-resolution JPG file (300 DPI) — print-ready
Recommended print sizes: A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in), A2 (16.5 x 23.4 in) or 20 x 27 in
The original Dutch verse rules remain visible on the printed board
Full translation of rules and verses (FR & EN) included in your order confirmation
Instant download after purchase — unlimited printing