Queen (Zulemer from Algiers), from "Court Game of Geography"

Art Historical Context

This delicate hand-colored print, titled *Queen (Zulemer from Algiers)*, comes from the “Court Game of Geography,” a mid-nineteenth-century educational card game published by William and Rock between 1838 1855. Measuring just 3¾ by 2½ inches the card belongs to a that used royal figures teach players about distant lands Zulemer, as the queen of Algiers, is accompanied by decorative birds, blending geographic instruction with playful imagery typical of Victorian parlor games. Created through engraving and etching, then finished with watercolor, the print exemplifies the period’s popular printmaking techniques. These methods allowed publishers to produce affordable, vividly colored sets that could be enjoyed repeatedly at home. The Met’s impression was given by the Estate of James Hazen Hyde, whose collection highlights how such ephemera once circulated widely among families to learn about the world. Beyond its instructional purpose, the card reflects broader cultural interests of the era: curiosity about North Africa, the appeal of ornamental detail, and the growing market for games that combined entertainment with gentle lessons in geography and empire.

About the Artist

William and Henry Rock · 1821–1884

William and Henry Rock were British brothers and publishers active in London during the mid-19th century, renowned for their innovative educational playing card games that blended art, geography, and entertainment. Operating from 11 Walbrook after 1838, they produced hand-colored engravings that transformed standard card decks into pedagogical tools, with suits representing the four quarters of th...