Stoomboot- en zeilschipspel / van Nieuwediep naar Batavia

Dirk Noothoven van Goor created this board game, *Stoomboot- en zeilschipspel / van Nieuwediep naar Batavia*, likely in the late 19th century. It invites players to imagine a voyage from the Netherlands to Batavia, now Jakarta, in the Dutch East Indies. The game uses a world map marked with ports of call, connecting visual entertainment with the realities of Dutch colonialism. The map itself is a cultural artifact, reflecting European-centered views of the world. The game was produced in a period of burgeoning Dutch mercantile power. Its format makes the colonial project seem like a benign adventure. Yet, it normalizes and celebrates the exploitation of distant lands. As historians, we can research company records, travel logs, and colonial archives to better understand the game's social context. Games like this offer a revealing glimpse into the mindset of a society. They highlight the complex relationship between entertainment, education, and imperial power.