Country Craftsmen

Published February 23, 2016 Updated July 20, 2022

“Country Craftsmen” Happy Families with illustrations by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978.

1978 United Kingdom Dinosaur Publications Ltd National Trust Mandy Hall Craft Trades & Professions Card Games Happy Families

“Country Craftsmen” Happy Families illustrated by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978. The 48 cards in the pack are grouped into 12 sets of four cards. Each set shows four members of a family, such as the Barley family or the Reed family, engaged in rural crafts such as farming and thatching. The object of the game is to collect as many complete families as possible.

“Country Craftsmen” Happy Families illustrations by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978 “Country Craftsmen” Happy Families illustrations by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978 “Country Craftsmen” Happy Families illustrations by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978

Above: “Country Craftsmen” Happy Families illustrations by Mandy Hall, published for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications Ltd, 1978. 48 cards + rule card in box.

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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.

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