The U.S. Playing Card Company published these “Nation’s Capitol Souvenir Playing Cards” in 1909.  Photos of places of interest were overlaid with pastel tints: blue for hearts, green for diamonds, and pink for spades and clubs.  The Joker was Dupont Circle. The backs are unusually lovely: (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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Kilimanjaro Productions published this African-themed deck in 1979.  I like its lush, formal illustrations. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“Grandfather’s Whiskers,” from John Waddington Ltd. (of Leeds and London) promised “3 games in 1.”  You could match the heads and bodies; you could connect incongruous heads and bodies for “over one thousand humorous figure combinations”; or you could work the “jig-type puzzles” on the backs of the cards. (Posted by Doug Skinner.  Thanks to […]

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“Wild Animals” — “For School and Home Play” — was created in 1903 by Louis M. Schiel, Principal of the 23rd District School in Cincinnati, for The Cincinnati Game Company, and published by Parker Brothers.  It came with a 16-page booklet, describing its many educational uses. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“All Star Comics,” a 1934 creation from Whitman and the King Features Syndicate, featured characters from a number of comic strips: “Krazy Kat,” “Dumb Dora,” “The Katzenjammer Kids,” “Little Annie Rooney,” and “Just Kids.”  This is Mush Stebbins, from “Just Kids.” (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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Parker Brothers published “Hidden Titles”; as usual, there’s no date.  It contains thirty cards, “representing many different geographical titles in pictures.”  I like its flamboyant lettering and deft charcoal sketches. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“Cheery Families” was published by Thomas de la Rue & Co, in London.  There were thirteen families in the deck; all headed by contented tradesmen like Mr. Butt.  I suspect brewers would be barred from a children’s game nowadays. (Posted by Doug Skinner.  Thanks to Angela Alverson.)

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We have here an old, isolated card; I don’t know to what game it once belonged. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“Reformed Lesson Cards” were distributed in Sunday Schools.  Each card carried a picture and Bible verse; and, on the back, a brief sermon and quiz.  After twelve lessons, there was a review card.  The above card was handed out on June 27, 1897.  And here is Lesson XII, from the week before. (Posted by Doug […]

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We have another “Old Maid” deck to add to the survey.  This one is from the Whitman Publishing Company: there’s no date, but it’s fairly early in the illustrious career of the Old Maid brigade.  It was hard to choose, but I’ve picked Mr. I. Never for his unusual anatomy and coloration. And here’s the […]

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