“72 Pictured Party Stunts” was published by Whitman in 1935.  And it’s just that: a series of actions to be performed by party guests.  As the instructions explain, “Anyone who fails to perform satisfactorily may be penalized by being tickled by everybody, running the gauntlet, being locked in a dark closet, or submitting to some […]

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John Jaques & Son, of Thornton Heath, published “French for Fun.”  The box promises that it’s “The most popular game ever published.”  That’s nice to know.  It’s yet another variation on the model of “Happy Families,” with sober renditions of food and household items to teach vocabulary.  This is the only omelet I’ve seen depicted […]

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Another Old Maid has entered my life.  This deck was published by Playtime House; in addition to the artist (and I can’t help but suspect that we may have a self-portrait here), we meet such characters as Tommy Tuff, Hedy Hula, Billy Bum, Ubangi Bess, and Shirley Strut — all with clean lines and oversized heads like […]

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The Ullage Group’s sixth public outing attracted our largest turnout yet.  We ran out of chairs and pews; some had to stand, fidgeting. After an introductory sermonette, Lisa uncorked the ullage, and poured out the traditional offering to our hosts at the Jalopy Theater, Geoff and Lynette Wiley.  She then discussed the cultural history of […]

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In “Wings: The Air Mail Game,” a 1928 game from Parker Brothers, you deliver mail across the country, from Boston to San Francisco.  This offers the opportunity for some deft pen sketches of aerial views.  Nicely done, I think. (Posted by Doug Skinner) 

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“My First Card Game” was published in 1983 by Discovery Toys; the original publisher seems to be the German firm of Altenburg-Stralsunder.  It’s certainly bold, as designs go.  And I’ve seen worse monkeys. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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“Beat Your Neighbours,” from the English firm, Tower Press, offered pictures of motorists in this cozy style.  Curiously, the game itself had nothing to do with the artwork: you simply accumulated or discarded cards according to the instructions on “Put” cards.  (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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And we close our overview of “Snap” decks with a 1954 edition by Parker Brothers.  And quite stylish, too, in my opinion.  Snap!  (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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This deck, “Animal Snap,” is another low-budget entry, with no indication of publisher other than “Made in Hong Kong.”  The cheap paper and printing give it, to me, a particular grainy charm. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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I found this anonymous pencil drawing at a flea market.  There’s probably a story behind it; perhaps it’s just as well that we don’t know what it is. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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