Pernicious Pastimes
Often denigrated as a social evil, gambling has long been connected to financial ruin, broken homes, organized crime, and idleness. Nonetheless, the economic hardships of the depression years saw a rise in betting on games of chance. By 1939, close to one third of Americans admitted to spending a nickel on some form of gambling. Recently, gambling (often called by the less negative term, gaming) has become mainstreamed into the entertainment industry, and casinos have become legitimate places of recreation. Even governments now rely heavily on lotteries—formerly illegal in many states—for fundraising.
deluxe Monte Carlowe Casino Game. New York: E.S. Lowe Co., ca. 1960.
Fatal Effects of Gambling Exemplified in the Murder of William Weare. London: Thos. Kelly, 1824.
The message of this treatise about the murder of the gambler William Weare is all too clear: “A comment on the extraordinary circumstances developed in the narrative, in which gambling is proved to be the source of forgery, robbery, murder and general demoralization.”
Bequest of Benno Loewy
Circular Playing Cards. England: Waddingtons, ca. 1960.
The origin of playing cards is somewhat obscure, but they were probably developed in China during the Tang Dynasty. Cards are one of the oldest games that we still play. Not restricted to gambling, playing cards have been used in many other pastimes, including predicting the future.
Gay Wolves Punchboard, ca. 1940.
Designed as advertising novelties and gambling devices for stores, bars and news stands, punchboards were at their peak of popularity during the 1930s and 40s before being outlawed in the 1950s. They were often strategically placed at the counter to encourage impulse buying, with fairly low quality merchandise, or more popularly cash, as prizes. Their design often reflects the sexual and racial stereotypes of the time; this “Girlie Board” is typical of the era.
John S. Minton Punchboard Collection
Little Brown Jug Punchboard, ca. 1940.
Designed as advertising novelties and gambling devices for stores, bars and news stands, punchboards were at their peak of popularity during the 1930s and 40s before being outlawed in the 1950s. They were often strategically placed at the counter to encourage impulse buying, with fairly low quality merchandise, or more popularly cash, as prizes. Their design often reflects the sexual, racial and regional stereotypes of the time; this "moonshine-drinking" mountain man is typical of the era.
John S. Minton Punchboard Collection