The “New Testament Game,” published in 1899 by The Fireside Game Company, was a variation on the popular game of “Quartets.”  The deck contained 52 scenes from the life of Jesus, divided into groups of four, which the player then collected. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

We have here another early edition of “Authors”; I found it without a box, so can offer no information on date or publisher.  Dickens seems to be sporting unruly hair and beard in this portrait.  The other writers in the pantheon this time are: Longfellow, Irving, Cooper, Scott, Holmes, and Burns. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

This early edition of “Authors” dispenses with the writers’ portraits, offering instead these colorful and decorative designs.  The authors represented are Ouida, Thomas Carlyle, Wilkie Collins, and George Eliot. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

This edition of “Animal Rummy” was published by Whitman.  There’s no date, but I guess it was from some time in the ’60s.  Merry Monkey, Zippy Zebra, and other brightly colored anthropomorphic animals urge you to collect them in groups of four. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“Slap Jack” is one of those enduring children’s games that seem to quietly survive under the radar.  Of course, you can play it with a normal deck; but you may as well let a designer have fun with it.  This 1965 Whitman version uses paisley and other patterns for most of the deck, and a […]

[Read more →]

“The Cheerful Game of Porky the Pig,” first published by Parker Brothers in 1946, got a makeover in 1961.  The original ’40s graphics (here) were replaced by the more stylized design popular in the ’50s.  Here, for comparison, are the two Porkies as well. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

The Peter Coddle games were early versions of “Mad Libs,” or of “Dr. Quack.”  One player read about Peter Coddle’s misadventures; other players drew cards to fill in spaces in the story.  The most popular version chronicles the rural Coddle’s trip to New York; another takes him to Chicago.  This one follows him to the […]

[Read more →]

I found these drawings at the flea market.  They’re all 4 3/4″ x 6 1/2″, done with ink and shading film on board, and unsigned.  Enjoy them.   (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

This is an isolated card; I have no idea of its context.  But I do like the restrained patch of grass, the dog’s perky tail, the hunter’s coat, and the two color design. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]

“Flora” is another edition of the popular German game “Quartett,” in which players collect four of a kind.  In this case, it’s flowers.  There’s no date or publisher listed on this, but it was a while ago. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

[Read more →]