Rush Hour
“Rush Hour” by Universal Publications Ltd, London, c.1935.
Rush Hour card game depicting different modes of transport published by Universal Publications Ltd, London, c.1935. 52 cards, printed in red & blue.
Above: “Rush Hour” card game by Universal Publications Ltd, London, c.1935. 52 cards in slip case. The rules card gives the company address at 3 Fann Street, Aldersgate, London E.C.1. The 1941 company catalogue gives the address as 9 Inverness Place with the footnote "Formerly at 3, Fann St. EC1" strongly suggesting that this card game was produced prior to the publication of the 1941 catalogue. Strangely the 1941 catalogue makes no mention of this game, though it does say some games were destroyed by "enemy action".
By Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012
I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
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.
AKA M5 Motorway
Promotional playing cards for the Hungarian M5 Toll Motorway between Budapest and Röszk.
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.
Shin-Tōmei Expressway Opening Commemoration
Promotional playing cards for the Shin-Tōmei Expressway, a major Japanese expressway that opened in ...
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.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
