How to Give a Progressive "Halma" Party
E. I. Horsman (New York City, NY)
Undated - c.1890
E. I Horsman was founded in 1865. Originally a manufacturer of toys and games, it was the oldest doll manufacturer in the United States. Lawn games, such as tennis, archery and croquet were its main income. Starting in the 1880's, it started manufacture of a series of toy-like cameras, marketed to children, which came with a complete set of equipment and supplies to take, print, and mount photographs - along with simple instructions. The cameras were used as premiums and prizes to children selling magazine subscriptions. The most commonly seen are the Horsman Eclipse No. 2 and Horsman Eclipse No. 3, two simple view cameras in quarter plate and half plate size that are advertised in this pamphlet explaining the game of "Halma", which appears to be a night that would allow singles to meet, team up with and compete with many members of the opposite sex during the course of a night. In an era when one did not speak to anyone unless first introduced by a trusted friend, such a game would be welcome.
