1900.]. Transformational lotto games, comprised of six chromolithograph cards each with framed with gold braid (slightly varying in size but approx. 225 x 125 mm each), three cards from two separate lotto games but on the same theme, each depicting a child with 10 numbers around its edge, together with accompany sets of 10 chromolithograph transformational cards (approx. 45 x 60 mm), noting the arithmetical operation to be performed (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication); some light signs of use and wear, larger chromolithographs mounted on later card, with the smaller counters seemingly the original card; lacking original instructional sheets, and without cloth bag; the two games housed within a later 20th century box, (250 x 330 x 25 mm) with mounted chromolithograph sheet bearing three of the figures from ‘Le Bal masqué des enfants’, also edged with gilt braid, inner lid with stamp of Parisian bookseller; an appealing set. A later made up box combining two appealing transformational lotto/bingo games which aimed, in addition to entertaining children, to introduce them to arithmetic and the four common operations of calculation.
This ‘set’ includes three cards from ‘La lessive de mes poupées’ or ‘My Dolls' Laundry’, in which the child must wash the dirty dolls and get them back into a clean state. The large cards depict the dirty dolls, and contain the answers to the arithmetical problems which are posed on the accompanying set of smaller cards. According to a set of the instructions found online, we appear to have Caspar and Lise who are covered and stained in ink, and little greedy Frédéric who has covered himself in chocolate. Not present are Pierre and Lise with dishevelled hair, and Trine - another lover of chocolate! The smaller cards would be placed into a small cloth ‘laundry bag’ (not present), each child taking it in turn to draw a card. The winner is the first person to correctly place the answers on the larger card, making his or her doll ‘clean’.
The other three cards come from ‘Le Bal masquè des enfants’, and which is based on the same principle. Three children (here two girls and a boy) are heading to a ball, and to reveal their disguise, the arithmetical problems must be answered. Thus a young girl is transformed into a beautiful gardener, another becomes Little Red Riding Hood, and a young boy turns into a chimney sweep. The three other cards not found here apparently transformed into Prince Charming, and Pierrot and Pierrette.
Clearly produced by the same publisher, the site jeuxanciensdecollection.com suggest perhaps Saussine. They point too, to the possible German origin. Though not present here, the character Pierre in ‘La lessive de mes poupées’ bears a striking resemblance to Hoffmann’s Struwwelpeter, as does ink stained Lise, with her long fingernails. Complete sets appear rare, and the present made up set is nevertheless both attractive and playable.