Countries of the World

Countries of the World card game published by H.P. Gibson & Sons, Ltd as part of their International Series, c.1939. There are three separate series of cards, covering the various countries around the world. Series No.1 has 12 sets of countries, each set having a map (keycard) and associated information cards listing the main features of that country and which make the complete set. The number of cards in each set varies depending on the importance or size of each country. See the Rules►

Above: box from Series No. 1. Series No 2 & 3 have identical boxes with no identification of the series until you open the box.

Series No. 1: the 12 Maps  - click image to see sample of associated information cards

Above: 12 keycards with maps from the 1st series of “Countries of the World” published by H.P. Gibson & Sons, Ltd, c.1939. Click image to see sample of associated information cards. Total of 64 cards + rules leaflet in box.

Series No. 2: the 12 Maps  - click image to see sample of associated information cards

Above: 12 keycards with maps from the 2nd series of “Countries of the World” published by H.P. Gibson & Sons, Ltd, c.1939. Click image to see sample of associated information cards. Total of 64 cards + rules leaflet in box.

Series No. 3: the box and 12 Maps

Above: 2 back designs, the second (with rounded corners) from a later edition.

Above: 12 keycards with maps from the 3rd series of “Countries of the World” published by H.P. Gibson & Sons, Ltd, c.1939. Click image to see sample of associated information cards. Total of 64 cards + rules leaflet in box.

As far as the yellow coloured contries are concerned they seem to be countries whose sovereignty might have been questioned and indeed later were annexed by other countries. For instance Tibet which always regarded Tibet as theirs after Britain let go of it and was only taken over officially in 1950 (I remember it well when the Dalai Lama had to flee for his life to the UK). Austria was about to be Anshlussed. Poland would become a target for Germany.

The International Series brand continued to be used on some products until early 1980s, competing against other established names such as Chad Valley, Spear’s and Waddington’s.

By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)

Member since January 30, 2009

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Rex's main interest was in card games, because, he said, they were cheap and easy to get hold of in his early days of collecting. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of Pepys games and his book is on the bookshelves of many.

His other interest was non-standard playing cards. He also had collections of sheet music, music CDs, models of London buses, London Transport timetables and maps and other objects that intrigued him.

Rex had a chequered career at school. He was expelled twice, on one occasion for smoking! Despite this he trained as a radio engineer and worked for the BBC in the World Service.

Later he moved into sales and worked for a firm that made all kinds of packaging, a job he enjoyed until his retirement. He became an expert on boxes and would always investigate those that held his cards. He could always recognize a box made for Pepys, which were the same as those of Alf Cooke’s Universal Playing Card Company, who printed the card games. This interest changed into an ability to make and mend boxes, which he did with great dexterity. He loved this kind of handicraft work.

His dexterity of hand and eye soon led to his making card games of his own design. He spent hours and hours carefully cutting them out and colouring them by hand.