Animal Grab
Animal Grab card game by Thomas De La Rue & Co., 110 Bunhill Row, London..
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.
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
The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge
A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.
Waddington’s faux books
Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.
Double Dummy Bridge
In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.
Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.
Boddingtons Bitter playing cards
Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.
Jeu Buffon
Illustrations of different birds from works by Buffon to celebrate the bicentenary of his death.
OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner
Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.
Kids Fun Box playing cards
Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.
Tangle Foot Ale
Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.
Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...
Agent Provocateur
Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.
Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.
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...
The Decadent Deck
Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.
Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.
Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
