RARE Antique French Map & Natural History Game "Loto Des 5 Parties du Monde"

Description

Paris:
Saussine Editeurs,
Ca. 1905. Lavishly color illustrated French children's geography and natural history board game,
The game consists of twelve numbered playing boards, two for each inhabited continent and two for Oceania.  Each board bears a pasted-on pictorial map richly illustrated with images of native inhabitants, indigenous flora and fauna, and national flags (with British, Dutch and French flags flying over their imperial possessions throughout Africa and Asia).  The North-American boards, for example, depicts among other things Native Americans, beaver, a polar bear, gold mining, what appears to be an Aztec pyramid, and the Flatiron Building.  Each board also has eight die-cut recesses revealing an image of a native inhabitant or animal.  Each of the 96 openings is individually numbered and corresponds to one of the numbered tiles.
The whole is housed in a cardboard box with three fitted compartments and a stunning chromolithographic cover combining images of the peoples, flora, fauna and landscapes of the world.  The central vignette features five figures representing the inhabited continents, with Europe seated at center and the center of attention as she reads from a book and holds forth.
No instructions are present.  It appears however that this was a simple game of chance, somewhat similar to our “Bingo” but with an educational component.
Complete in the original box, with 12 game boards, all 96 of the numbered tiles, as well as a pink cloth pouch, one pressed paper tile holder, two pink bags, and a number of cardboard chips.
Rubbing on top box around the edges and some damage to bottom right corner.  Does not detract greatly.  See photos.
Boards all very nice - with some consistent warping.