433 - Jeu de Course.

Jeu de Course. Horse racing game by the French company M. J. & Cie. Company M. J. & Cie, (around 1910). 13 x 26.5 x 26.5 cm. Wooden box base with cardboard lid with tin plate in relief and spring-loaded mechanism for 2 movable rings with 8 colored riding figures on 2 tracks, 4 double gates each on three columns with tin canopy, 1 linen flag on lancet, all made of tin. Pewter figures approx. 2 x 6 cm, gates approx. 5 x 8 cm, outer track diameter 21 cm and flag length 17.5 cm. Original wooden box with lid. (Somewhat worn and with slightly damaged cardboard lid). Popular horse racing game with lovingly painted figures of the riders on their wildly jumping horses, which race on 2 tracks through the double arches. The tin plate mounted on the wooden box with the title "Jeu de Course", the manufacturer "M. J. & Cie" shows a relief with riders jumping and floral tendrils. - The game can be operated manually using a fold-out lever on the title plate, which tensions a retractable chain inside the box on a spring. The French tricolore can be inserted into the holder provided during play. The surface of the playing field has been modeled on a horse racing track and covered with green felt fabric as a lawn. A red-painted metal ring marks the area between the two race tracks, on which the riders race against each other on poles using the mechanics. Depending on the swing of the spring, one team or the other will win. - Partial paint chipping on the riding figures and the racing ring, as well as slightly loose flag holder and slightly dusty. Overall a beautiful, still well-functioning example of this rare horse racing game.