Antique Mechanical Racing Game, "Jeu De Course" by M J & Cie

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This antique mechanical game is known as "Jeu de Course" (The Race Game). Not for kiddies, it was a popular … Read more This antique mechanical game is known as "Jeu de Course" (The Race Game). Not for kiddies, it was a popular parlor and betting game produced in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The game includes six hand-painted lead horses ridden by jockeys in colorful silks. A lever on the front (marked with a cast plaque with the letters M.J. & Cie) activates the internal mechanism, causing the horses to revolve around the felt-covered track on a circular lane with cast metal "lamp post" gates. The winner is the horse that stops closest to the finish line, which was originally marked by a small flag (missing in this antique example). This game is housed in a wooden box with lid, finished in black with gold accents.
A Jeu de Course game (specifically one by M.J. & Cie) is featured in a key scene in the 1993 movie “Dave.” It is central during an emotional moment between Dave Kovic (played by Kevin Kline, impersonating President Bill Mitchell) and First Lady Ellen Mitchell (played by Sigourney Weaver). Dave is playing with the mechanical horse race game alone in the President's private suite, cheering on "Number Seven.” Ellen enters and, initially thinking he is her husband, joins in, saying "Come on number five!" Moments later Dave’s true identity is revealed.
M.J. & Cie was a prominent French toy manufacturer known for these mechanical racing games, often dated between the 1890s and 1910s.
Maker’s mark: M.J. & Cie incorporated into front exterior pull plaque (photo #3). See less