Like many, I was disappointed by the quick fizzle of the Bigfoot Body hoax in Georgia.  I suppose I should wax explicit, and carefully explain that no, it’s not because I think Bigfoot is a real flesh-and-blood beastie, or because I was expecting, or even wanting, evidence.  The stories are real enough; and have their […]

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Let me add that the stories meant to amuse children often teach different lessons than the textbooks and tracts.  This toy magic lantern slide, for example, has an unusual moral: no dinner until you destroy the furniture.  Your teachers do not want you to emulate the pig; but every child will admire its inventiveness, envy its contentment, and […]

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The old game of dominoes is recast with lambs, puppies, kittens, turtles, cattle, pigs, and other creatures — and a stylish job, too, in my opinion. It was published by E. E. Fairchild (no date, as usual), and cost 19c. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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(We conclude here a short story by Paul Vibert, translated by Doug Skinner.) I can repeat the celebrated procedure of the rats’ father, a prosthetic graft, and so join together two elephants, or two whales; then, when the graft has taken, all I need do is cut a small incision for communication; and as I […]

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(We present here the second part of a short story by Paul Vibert, translated by Doug Skinner. Please read the first part for your greater enjoyment.) Obviously, there can be no question of a spacious apartment, but simply a small lodging, warm and convenient. It could be relocated at will; and man would thus solve […]

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(We have a serial for you this week: a short story by Paul Vibert, carved into three portions, so you won’t get sick by eating it all at once. I know almost nothing about Vibert, except that he wrote stories in the 1890’s, often based on scientific fantasy. His curious tales can sometimes be found […]

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For 35¢ you could give your beloved the gift of sound — in the form of an Amazing Talking-Tape Card. This particular example was made by the now defunct White & Wyckoff Manufacturing Company of Holyoke, MA. Since 1889, White & Wyckoff had been part of a thriving paper industry in Western Massachusetts towns such […]

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  It’s Friday at the Ullage Group, and time for another children’s card game.  For late arrivals, or for the perplexed, we explain that we offer a sample from this most marginal, disposable, anonymous, and overlooked field of graphic design as a weekly lagniappe.  I have no date or publisher for this edition of that perennial […]

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“Trail Drive,” a western themed pack from Arrco, claims to be “a game you’ve never played before.”  Once again, no indication of date. (Posted by Doug Skinner) 

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  “Rummy,” in some version, has long been a mainstay of game publishers.  This elegant edition was put out by the Whitman Publishing Company: once again, no date is given. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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