CRICKETS ON THE HEARTH. Crickets on the Hearth is a version of Tiddlywinks that came out in 1891. If you look at the last picture, that is an old ad for this game that you could get included as part of a magazine subscription or for 15 cents. The bottom portion that lays flat is approximately 9"x5". And the top portion is approximately 7"x4". The top portion separates from the bottom portion and fits in the slot.

Per the internet (tiddlywinks website)....

"1891 • Crickets on the Hearth • Sold by Selchow & Righter, jobbers

CRICKETS ON THE HEARTH was also sold by Selchow & Righter, though it did not come in a box. The game consists of two wooden pieces that snap together to form the game apparatus. The artwork and game layout on this game does not resemble the CRICKETS tiddlywinks game also sold by the company.

The bottom of the game apparatus is ink-stamped “Provisional Protection Granted No. 6319 April 13, 1891.” **

The Fire and Fireside trade magazine in its 1 October 1891 issue’s Premium List supplement offered Crickets on the Hearth as a premium (in other words, free gift) with a new annual subscription to the magazine costing 60 cents.

The Hollander, Bradshaw, and Folsom’s Department Store in Boston, Massachusetts advertised the game for 10 cents, on Saturday only, in the Boston Daily Globe newspaper of 13 November 1891 on page 2."

** This game does not have the stamp referenced here **

ORIGINAL GAME OWNER. On the back of the top piece is written, "Warren Spitler / Middlebrook / Aug. Co. VA." Also it looks like an H and an S on either side of a pyrmad. There is a Warren Spitler listed in the 1900 Census for Middlebrook, Augusta County, VA. Born 1884. So that fits pretty well with this toy coming out in approximately 1891.

CONDITION: Lots of photos provided, so please rely on photos. However, it's generally in pretty remarkable condition for its age... a few notes...
>> There is no mantle. One of the goals of this game would be to have the "crickets" land on the fireplace mantle. The slit is there, but the original mantle is missing. This would be worth 75 points. As opposed to going through the hole, which would be worth 100.
>> There are no "crickets" or game pieces.
>> The felt is still there but some of it is missing.
>> A little bit of the paper for the rules is missing.
>> There is a bit of a bulge in the "brickwork" to the right of the 100 point hole.
>> Looks like there would normally be a small wood piece separating the 10 and 20 on the game board. That is not there.

Please ask if you have any questions. Thanks for looking.