This stylish edition of the old game “Slap Jack” was published by Russell in 1935.  It was “A Big-Little Card Game,” and measured 1 5/8″ x 2 2/3″.  That must have called for precision slapwork. (Posted by Doug Skinner) 

[Read more →]

It’s Friday; another children’s card game comes from the box for your aesthetic pleasure.  “Crazy Faces,” a variation of that old favorite, “Crazy Eights,” was published by the E. E. Fairchild Corporation. It apparently came in two editions: one with the kid-TV host Captain Kangaroo on the cover, and one without.  All of the faces […]

[Read more →]

Ed-U-Cards was entrusted with the reponsibility of publishing the “Official 1964-65 New York World’s Fair Children’s Card Game.” There is, of course, a splendid Unisphere in the deck, but I thought you might enjoy the Astral Fountain. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“Contraband” was published by the British firm Pepys — no date, I’m afraid. The objective is to smuggle valuables through customs by bluffing and lying. Many of these games are just frivolous; it’s heartening to see one that also teaches a skill.  And please note the beautiful rendition of the ullage. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

We have here another edition of that old favorite, “Authors,” this one a 1935 miniature deck from the Russell Press. I’m not familiar with Cornelia Meigs; but a bit of research reveals that she wrote many children’s books, and taught English for many years at Bryn Mawr. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“ARBO: The Game of Tree Families” was published by the Scholastic Publishing Co. in 1927. The young players are directed to complete and capture suits of tree families. Thus they learn the rudiments of both dendrology and gambling. The backs of these games are usually uninteresting; this one, though, is worth a look. (Posted by […]

[Read more →]

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)

[Read more →]

I can’t help you with this one; I found it loose, among miscellaneous ephemera, at a flea market. Who is this smirking urchin? Is he really a good example for the little ones? Why do I suspect that this caddy business is a front for something shadier? (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“Parejas del Mundo” was published by Naipes Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria, Spain. Animals and people of different lands are to be paired; our cheery seal will soon meet an Eskimo. Is that a spear, Señor Esquimal? I suspect this pair will not become amigos. (Posted by Doug Skinner, with thanks to Gail Freund)

[Read more →]

Whitman released this detective game, “Who Is the Thief?”, in 1966. The players were instructed to pair suspects and witnesses, including this jaunty bum, to find the jewel thief. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]