Animal Snap
The full set of this 'Snap' card game is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a total of 36 cards.
Anonymous ‘Animal Snap’ card game
This 'Snap' card game was published in at least 4 editions with slight variations. The main differences lie in the text font and colouring, some details in the clothing and slightly different sizes of cards. The full set is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a total of 36 cards: Mr Globe-trotter; Mr Feeble; A master-singer; Mr Boxwell; Mr Head-ball; Mr Rooster; Mr Tail-a-whip; Mr Valentine and Touch-me-not. In the version shown here one card is titled “Tench me not” instead of “Touch me not” - probably a mis-spelling (as far as we know “Tench” is the name of a fish). The packs were probably manufactured cheaply in Germany for the English market in children's games, perhaps even being included in games compendiums.
Above: cards from an 'Animal Snap' card game printed in red and green, anonymous manufacturer, 36 cards, plain backs, approx. 90-100mm x 60mm. Images courtesy Steve Campbell.
References:
Darbyshire, Neil: "Variations on a Theme No.1 - Animal Snap" in the Newsletter of the English Playing Card Society, October 2003, pp.108-110. Note: Neil Darbyshire will be producing a catalogue of over 200 rare 'Snap' packs in the near future.
More card games on this site: Addit • Animal Grab • Belisha • Black Peter • British Towns • Cartes Questions-Devinettes • Change for a Shilling • Counties of England • Cromy • Card Games • Dartex • Editorial Gráfica Flores • El Negrito Pedro • El Reloj Card Game • Famous Five • Golden Egg Game • Gnav • Happy Families • Jack-of-all-Trades • Hijitus • Hee Trading Co • Illustrated Proverbs • Jaques' Games • Jaques' Happy Families • Jewish Quartet Game • Kay Snap • Kingdoms of Europe • Little Folk Misfitz • London Post • Hee Trading Co, Malaysia • Mexican Lottery Game • Mini-Poker • Noddy Happy Families • Pekka-Peli • Pepys Games • Peruvian Animals Quartet • Proverbs & Maxims • Reshuffle • Snip Snap • Tower Press • Vic Joc de Cartes • Walt Disney • Wild Flower Sevens • Woodland Old Maid • Woodland Snap • Zoo Comics
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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