Alternative Happy Families
An updated, 1980s-style “Alternative Happy Families” game.
When this pack was produced in the 1980s, it quickly proved popular, especially amongst the younger generation who found old-style Happy Families packs to be extremely dated. This one features the following families – Advice, Artist, Clown, Lesbian and gay, Peace, Politico, Teacher, and Wholefood. The standard relationships of father, mother, son and daughter are largely absent. The designs are in a limited range of colours – green, mauve, and black. The cards have square corners. The rules are printed on the back of each card.
Above: “Alternative Happy Families” published by Cath Tate, London, c1985. Printer unknown. 32 cards in a plastic bag. Size: 75 x 105 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Activity for Alternative Happy Families
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Jeu des 7 familles 7 époques
A Happy Families-type card game depicting 7 historical periods, with designs by Paul Durand.
Catch the Kaiser
Card game with non-standard suits, featuring British military leaders from WWI plus the Kaiser.
Doctor Who Trump Card Game
Game for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion join battle with the Alien Hordes....
Polygo™
Cards of irregular, four-sided shape for playing word and colour games as well as more traditional o...
Classic Card Games for Kids
A boxed set of playing cards, Happy Families and an alphabet pack with rules for 22 games.
So-Lah – A Game of Music
An early 20th century domino-type musical card game by Goodall.
Old Bachelor™
The 90’s version of Old Maid with illustrations by Susan Wise.
Jeu de 7 Familles France 98
Families card game with comic designs featuring seven of the teams competing in the 1998 World Cup. ...
Jeu de Familles Les Pierrafeu®
Quartet game featuring The Flintstones and friends.
Politically Incorrect Happy Families
A Happy Families set with many differences from a conventional one.
Waddingtons Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhyme playing cards by Waddingtons, Leeds, UK, 1975.
Vesalius Anatomy Card Game
Celebrating the work of Andreas Vesalius in the quincentenary year of his birth.
Round the World Happy Families
Round the World Happy Families by Chiefton Products Ltd of Bristol, c.1950s.
Gas Warm Homes
Gas Warm Homes Happy Families game published by British Gas, c.1980.
Happy Gas Families
Happy Gas Families published by British Gas, c.1985.
Trades People Happy Families
Happy Families card game depicting trades people from 1920s.
Merry Families
Merry Families #2 (Occupations), by Multum in Parvo Co. Ltd., c.1890.
Spears Happy Families
Spears Happy Families.
Happy Families No.5367
Tower Press “Happy Families” No.5367
Happy Families, c.1950
Chad Valley “Happy Families” card game, c.1950.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
