“The H-Bar-O Rangers” radio show began in 1932, presenting the adventures of Bobby Benson and his friends, and extolling the merits of H-O cereal.  This card game was published sometime around 1933.  The back shows a lovely drawing of Bobby riding the range with Sunny Jim, the sponsor’s mascot, who was to be phased out […]

[Read more →]

Parker Brothers published “The Game of States and Cities” in 1946.  Each card shows one of the states; and players compete to “Name the State.”  For some reason, the cards all have one corner cut; perhaps to make them look less like Colorado.  I must admit that Michigan doesn’t look quite right to me here.
The […]

[Read more →]

This horror movie themed deck carries no date or publisher; a sticker identifies it, though, as distributed by “Oriental Trading Co.”  It’s a standard 52-card deck, but the suits are cartoony versions of Frankenstein, Dracula, a mummy, and a witch.  The unusual shape is dictated by the reverse, which shows a haunted house.  For good […]

[Read more →]

Here’s another “Old Maid”: our 25th, if you’re counting (I just did).  It was published in 1985, by Hoyle Products.  I’m presenting Artie here, suspecting he may be a self-portrait by the anonymous artiste.  And here’s the Old Maid.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

 
“The House That Jack Built” has long been a dependable bit of children’s entertainment.  It’s also been the basis for a number of games, including this one.  There’s no date to be found, but it looks to be from sometime around 1900.  I like the cat’s quizzical expression and dignified posture: somewhat cartoony, but not […]

[Read more →]

“Concentration: Wildlife Edition” was “An Entertaining and Approved Educational Game” from the National Wildlife Federation.  It featured some lovely lush wildlife paintings, as well as a booklet giving details on the animals.  And, of course, you could play “Concentration” with the cards, turning them up two at a time to make pairs.
(Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“Squadron Scramble” was an “Authorized Air Youth Game, Approved by the National Aeronautic Association.”  It was published sometime in World War II by Whitman.  American, British, Japanese, and German aircraft were shown from the top, side, and front.  You collected three of a kind; and tried not to get stuck with a “Keep ‘em Flying” […]

[Read more →]

“Animalloys” was a set of cigarette cards from the Imperial Tobacco Company, of Great Britain and Ireland.  Each card had 1/3 of an animal on it; you could combine them to produce new and unusual creatures.  This is an alligator, armadillo, and buffalo.  I assume that Dad was supposed to give these to the kids, […]

[Read more →]

In 1953, the Albany Times-Union published a set of “Lucky Safety Cards.”  If you got the right number, you won $5000, which I suppose taught children about the numbers racket.  Hans and Fritz were probably not the best spokesmen for safety and obedience.
(Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“The Great Composers” was like “Authors,” but with music.  This particular edition was published by Merrimack Publishing, as “an exact replica of the antique original.”  I enjoy Weber’s music, but I must admit I’ve never heard “Euryanthe.”
(Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]