Belisha
Belisha, published by Castell Brothers Ltd (Pepys Games) in 1937, was produced with a desire to make a helpful contribution to the national Safety First campaign.
Belisha card game
Published by Castell Brothers Ltd, 1937
Belisha was published as a new and improved form of the universally popular game of Rummy, offering “more scope for intelligent play”. Based around a motor journey from London to Oban, Belisha was produced with a desire to make a helpful contribution to the national “Safety First” campaign following the introduction of ‘Belisha’ beacons, designed to reduce road casualties, particularly among children. By 1951 the black and white stripes, with Belisha beacons on either side of the road, were approved as ‘Zebra’ crossings. See the Box►
Above: 'Belisha' first published by Castell Brothers Ltd (Pepys Games) in 1937. The cards have period illustrations highlighting safety in motoring situations. The game was named after Leslie Hore-Belisha, the Minister for Transport who introduced yellow flashing lights on black & white striped poles (Belisha Beacons) at Zebra Crossings.
Belisha advertisements: “A Game of Thrills” & “Safety First”
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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