Kroningsspel 1898 / Gratis premie bij den scheurkalender "voor 't jonge volksje 1898." 1898

This board game, "Kroningsspel 1898," created by Antonie S. Reule, presents us with a spiral of Dutch history, leading to the coronation. Each space marks a historical event, symbolized by dates, names of rulers and cities like 'Utrecht' and 'Amsterdam.' Note the symbolic crowns marking the progress, echoing ancient notions of divine right, reminiscent of pharaohs' headdresses and medieval royal seals. Observe also the repeated image of ships, invoking the importance of sea and trade for the Dutch identity, much like how the Argo was central to the Greek myths. The game blends historical education with royalist propaganda, using the crown and the ship as motifs of power and progress. These motifs aren't fixed; the crown evolves from a symbol of absolute power to one of national unity, much like the scepter and orb, evolving meanings through cultures and epochs, constantly reshaped by collective memory. The appeal to engage with national history and aspirations evokes powerful emotional and psychological links to the past. Thus, the board game becomes a stage, where historical symbols transcend their time.