The “Bowling Card Game” (Ed-U-Cards, 1962) let you enjoy the sport without getting any exercise.  And you could enjoy some colorful early ’60s graphics as well. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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Built-Rite is responsible for the “Zoo Fun Card Game.”  There is no date, I’m afraid: just pictures of birds, fish, and mammals: on “New shaped cards — to fit the hands – easier to hold.” (Posted by Doug Skinner) 

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“Cowboys and Indians” was published by Ed-U-Cards in 1960.  It featured soberly rendered illustrations of cowboys and Indians, six-shooters and tommyhawks — and one cowgirl. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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Another “Old Maid” has arrived to add to our survey.  This one was published by Oriental Trading.  I’m not sure what Chef Sheri is cooking in this picture; it looks like mushrooms and confetti.  I’ve never tried that. And here’s the Old Maid.     (Posted by Doug Skinner) 

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In recognition of our upcoming event, “Not Dirty, Just Spicy,” we will pause in our survey of the anonymous graphics of children’s games; and consider those for adults. A wide variety of graphic information has been put on playing cards: ads, maps, political caricatures, music, aircraft silhouettes, foreign phrasebooks, souvenir photos of fairs and landmarks, […]

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I don’t know what game this policeman adorned; I found him loose in a box of stuff in a flea market.  But the back identifies the maker as “Fairchild”; that’s something at least.  He’s crisply drawn in that American Socialist Realist style, and I think that uncolored stop sign is a nice touch. (Posted by […]

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I have a particular affection for games that celebrate regional culture.  I wish I knew more of them.  “Dutch Blitz,” published in 1960 by the Daystar Company in Flourtown, PA, is a Pennsylvania Dutch deck.  One side carries simple illustrations of farm equipment; the other has numbers with a traditional design. “Dutch Blitz” is still […]

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I folded up this series too soon; here’s another “Fish” game.  This one was published in 2009 by Fundex Games.  The other marine animals in the deck are: Puffer Fish, Purple Tang, Angelfish, Clown Fish, Yellow Tang, Whale, Shark, and Seahorse.  All are in vibrant colors, and look to me inspired by animation design. (Posted by Doug Skinner)  

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Our final fish game is “Go Fish,” published in 1951 by Ed-U-Cards.  The fronts are simple fields of color, the backs show this cheerful specimen. In later editions, this has been adapted into a flipbook; if you arrange the cards in the proper order, the fish blows bubbles. As a lagniappe, I’ll add this interesting miniature […]

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Our fourth fish game, “Go Fish,” was published in 2001 by Cardinal Industries.  Ten varieties of fish are depicted; but, like the example above, are unidentified. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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