Here we have a few images from a 1905 Milton Bradley edition of “Dr. Busby.” As you may recall, he popped up earlier, making a guest appearance in an “Old Maid” deck (#33 in our survey, posted 11/13/08). Like “Old Maid,” there were many editions; this Dr. Busby is certainly a more dour practitioner than the last.
“Dr. Busby” is, I understand, one of the first children’s games published in the US. It was invented by Anne Abbott in 1843; Ms. Abbott is also credited with a children’s book, Doctor Busby and his Neighbors, and with various other games, including that old favorite, “Authors.”
There was a historical Dr. Busby: Richard Busby, headmaster of Westminster in the 17th century, mentioned by Pope in the “Dunciad.” Since that Busby was known mostly for beating and molesting his students, I do hope this is a different one.
The object of the game was to match up families: the four members of Dr. Busby’s household, and the families of his various servants and retainers. Most of the early editions were 20 cards; this later version has swollen to 40. 20 of the cards are obviously from the same hand, such as this picture of Dr. Busby’s fishmonger:
The other 20 are a mish-mash of cruder cuts, like this one:
(Posted by Doug Skinner)
6 responses so far ↓
1 Lisa // Jan 3, 2009 at 6:45 pm
That fishmonger is wonderful - maybe the best card of the bunch you’ve posted.
I recommend the Dunciad as required reading. The names and references are dated and pretty much meaningless to 21st C American readers, but the general idea still gets across. It culminates in a sort of apocalypse of stupidity: a good thing to keep in mind as we say good riddance to our fearful leaders.
2 elena // Jan 6, 2009 at 1:51 pm
i don’t like the looks of that giant spoon he has there. i bet that medicine tastes nasty.
3 mamie // Jan 6, 2009 at 11:29 pm
And it’s a very LARGE bottle of medicine too!
4 Bobbie // Mar 31, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I have this game.
5 judy // Aug 17, 2010 at 11:19 am
I have a deck with a yellow banner. Do you what they are worth there are 28cards 2 more familys
6 Doug // Aug 17, 2010 at 3:41 pm
No, I have no idea. I’m not a dealer; I’m just here for the pretty pictures!
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