Summary

Alternative Name(s): Jacks, Jackstones

Small stone, naturally-formed. Part of a set of five jack stones used in Texas, United States America, circa 1905-1910, and collected by American folklorist Dr Dorothy Howard.

Jacks is an ancient game, dating back to prehistoric times. The first jacks were natural materials - animal bones, stones, seeds and shells, and when the game became a popular part of children's culture, manufacturers began mass-producing them from plastic and metal. In Australia, jacks are mostly shaped like sheep's knucklebones, but overseas there are also ceramic cubes and 'star'-shaped metal pieces. These stones are an example of the natural materials used by children to play jacks in the United States in the early 20th century.

Part of the Dorothy Howard Collection, contained within the Australian Children's Folklore Collection. The Collection is unique in Australia, documenting contemporary children's folklore across Australia and in other countries reaching back to the 1870s. It has a strong component of research material relating to Victoria.

Physical Description

One of five small stones, two grey, three light brown, all similar sized, in natural state, not shaped or polished.

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