We’ll have a few examples of “Authors,” that curious game about collecting writers.  This one has no indication of date or publisher.  The canon is conventional: Scott, Longfellow, Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Whittier, Poe, Tennyson, Dickens, Stevenson, Irving, and Emerson.  Shakespeare is rather plump and peevish in this version, and his hair is curlier than I remember.  […]

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We have another specimen of “Old Maid”; this undated and anonymous deck has a holiday theme.  In addition to the elf, there are a wreath, a gingerbread man, a smiling tree, and various animals with Santa hats.  All are in this plain, rather clumsy style. And here’s the Old Maid. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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This sushi themed deck was, apparently, published by Accoutrements.  The number cards show sushi in multiple, the face cards show a larger roll.  The Joker is represented by wasabi and soy sauce. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“Letter-Grams” was published in 1938 by Milton Bradley.  There have been many crossword card games, but few with such an appealing and chubby typeface, or with such a decorative back. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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)

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“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 […]

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“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 […]

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