The Bodleian Library has recently acquired a collection of one and a half thousand board games dating from 1800 to the last millennium. Donated by Richard Ballam, the Library has selected 22 Edwardian and Victorian examples and put them on display at the Weston Library. The exhibition, Playing with History, opened on 8 January, closes on 6 March and includes antique examples of puzzles, spinning wheels and building blocks. A free talk about the collection by Ballam is due to take place at the Weston at lunchtime on 20 January; see the Boldeian Library’s website for information on how to attend.

Image: Tejvan Pettinger (CC BY 2.0)