Animal Grab

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►

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.

See also:
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 • London Post • Hee Trading Co, Malaysia • Mexican Lottery Game • 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

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Curator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996.