“Fipps der Affe”  c.1960

“Fipps der Affe“ (Fipps the Ape) quartet game with cartoons by Wilhelm Busch published by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, c.1960. With the successful publication of Max und Moritz in 1865, Busch became synonymous with stand-alone picture stories marked by humorous caricatures and catchy verse. Fipps the Ape was one of Busch's more popular characters and the stories were first published in 1884 but have enjoyed enduring popularity ever since. Fipps was typically very restless, quickwitted and active, a bit like a naughty schoolboy who enjoys pranks. He enjoyed letting off steam and having many adventures in which power was shifted and roles reversed. Fipps, along with various other ‘funny monkey’ designs, is still popular today on t-shirts!

Above: “Fipps der Affe“ (Fipps the Ape) quartet game with cartoons by Wilhelm Busch published by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, c.1960. 36 cards. Images courtesy Rex Pitts.