Suitable for Framing

First, I have to say this dear old board game is in sad shape ... as pieces are missing, the box is torn at the corners and taped back together, it’s a bit musty, and the board itself has been taped together at one juncture, too. But, I rescued it from being thrown away, knowing a Civil War collector might be looking for this 1959 Avalon Hill Gettysburg Civil War Battle Game. There are also many little card board pieces to move along on the game board itself, with division numbers, commanders, HQ IDs, you-name-it. I have no idea how many are missing, but it’s a treat to read through what is there. Then, there is the game board itself, which I feel is the best part of the game: the entire Gettysburg battlefield, which is worn but still nice and crisp -- even though old scotch tape holds one section together -- and is truly suitable for framing. Anyway, I wanted to let you know what is there. It has been well-played over the years ... and here it is for you. Like I said, it’s in incomplete, well-used shape, but it’s WONDERFUL!

And Those Will Be the Portables

Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.

Are Dice Considered “Things”?

Games that involve throwing things are often associated with weddings ... Roman brides threw nuts at rejected suitors as they left the ceremonies.

Paper, Scissors, Stone

In medieval times, the most popular dagger was called a misericord or panzerbrecher. As misericord, a word derived from misericordia, meaning “compassion” or “mercy”, the dagger was used to kill a fallen knight or force him to surrender. If he didn’t surrender, then thoughtfully and with sadness and compassion, he was killed. The German name, panzerbrecher, was more to the point. The word means “armor buster”. The panzerbrecher was pushed through the joints of the armor and the fallen knight could make up his own mind about being brave or surrendering. He was under no compulsion to do anything but what he thought was best under the circumstances.

The Stamp War

In 1900 the Dominican Republic issued stamps showing its boundary extending into the territory of its neighbor, Haiti. This started a border conflict until the dispute was finally settled in 1938. Over 15,000 people died in this controversy.

The Spanish Inhibition

In 1979 a Spanish Air Force pilot shot himself down. His bullets ricocheted off the practice target in the Iberian hills and hit his jet, forcing him to eject to safety.

A War and/or A Peace

Because of an oversight, the Versailles Peace Treaty which ended WWI failed to include Andorra. In 1939, with WWII under way, Andorra finally realized that it was still officially at war with Germany, and concluded hostilities with a quick and private treaty.

What He Said

The police aren’t there to create disorder. The police are there to maintain disorder.

Separated at birth?

Paths of Glory cover illustration, and Terry Jones of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.