“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 →]

This one is more of a card game about children than for children.  Applying humorous interpretations to infants’ grimaces is a publishing staple; here all of the captions are about card-playing.  The result was used to promote a Buick dealership in Greenfield.  The world boasts many Greenfields; thanks to search engines, I can tell you […]

[Read more →]

“3D Trading Cards” were such a lowball timewaster that they carried no date, copyright, or indication of publisher.  They came in a little cardboard holder that touted them as “DIFFERENT” and “EDUCATIONAL.”  I do like to think of the kids peering at stereo photos of the Pyramid to the Sun God. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

Attention: we have another “Old Maid.”  This one is a 1975 offering from Western Publishing.  It uses the same artwork as one of our earlier examples — but a different Old Maid. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

This version of “Animal Rummy” was published by Whitman.  Our anonymous artist outdid him or herself, with some particularly lush and inventive designs. (Posted by Doug Skinner.)

[Read more →]

This pictorial deck is from Creative Card Games. (Posted by Doug Skinner.)

[Read more →]

“Felix the Cat’s Rummy” contained pictures of cartoon animals, as well as a picture of Felix himself.  Some of the images were also used in other rummy decks, but I hadn’t seen this scootering pig before. (Posted by Doug Skinner.)

[Read more →]