Animal Grab

Published January 31, 2011 Updated September 20, 2024

Animal Grab card game by Thomas De La Rue & Co., 110 Bunhill Row, London..

1893 United Kingdom De la Rue Gibsons Games Nature & Environment Card Games
Animal Grab card game box, c.1900

An Interesting and Amusing Round Game published by Thos De La Rue & Co., early 1900s

“Animal Grab” is a variant of “Snap” which involves calling animal or bird cries instead of the word “Snap!” making it a fast & noisy game. This Victorian edition by Thomas De La Rue contains 52 full-colour cards + rules leaflet inside a telescopic box. The winner is the player who wins - or grabs - all the cards.

Right: box from Animal Grab card game by Thomas De La Rue & Co, London, c.1900.

Long before our awareness of endangered species or environmental activism became topical issues, these Victorian playing cards for children foster awareness of farmyard and countryside animals, inviting players to mimic the animals' characteristic calls.   See the rules

Animal Grab card game by Thomas De La Rue & Co., 110 Bunhill Row, London, c.1900 Animal Grab card game by Thomas De La Rue & Co., 110 Bunhill Row, London, c.1900 Animal Grab card game back, c.1900

Above: cards from Animal Grab game by Thomas De La Rue & Co., 110 Bunhill Row, London. The game was registered in 1893. It was later distributed by HP Gibson & Sons.

avatar
1,486 Articles

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.

Related Articles

1910 The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge

The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge

A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.

1935 Waddington’s faux books

Waddington’s faux books

Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.

1905 Double Dummy Bridge

Double Dummy Bridge

In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.

1898 Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards

Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards

Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.

1996 Boddingtons Bitter playing cards

Boddingtons Bitter playing cards

Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.

1988 Jeu Buffon

Jeu Buffon

Illustrations of different birds from works by Buffon to celebrate the bicentenary of his death.

1999 OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.

1991 Kids Fun Box playing cards

Kids Fun Box playing cards

Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.

1980 Tangle Foot Ale

Tangle Foot Ale

Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.

1891 Scientific Whist

Scientific Whist

“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

1985 Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur

Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

2021 Nimbus playing cards

Nimbus playing cards

Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.

2025 Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited

Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited

Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...

2006 The Decadent Deck

The Decadent Deck

Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.

1893 Historic Shakespeare

Historic Shakespeare

“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.

1925 Copechat Paramount Sorting System

Copechat Paramount Sorting System

Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...