Sylabex / Wordmaker
Sylabex / Wordmaker was first published by Pepys in 1948.
Sylabex is a syllable word game devised by Ern Shaw which was first published by Pepys in 1948 containing 72 cards. The game was re-issued several times as follows: 2nd edition 1972 (45 cards) • 3rd edition 1975 (45 cards) • 4th edition c.1980 (45 cards) published by Castell Larby after merger. In 1984 the game was renamed “Wordmaker” (45 cards) and published by Gibson after Castell ceased trading. Each card has a three-letter syllable and the object of the game is to make complete words.

Above: Sylabex published by Pepys, first edition in a double sized lid and bottom type box with 72 cards, 1948.

Above: Sylabex published by Pepys, 2nd edition in same large box but with new typeface on the cards, 1972.

Above: Sylabex published by Pepys, 3rd edition in smaller tuck box, 1975.

Above: Sylabex published by Pepys, 4th edition, c.1980.

Above: Word Maker published by Gibsons, 1984.

By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)
Member since January 30, 2009
View ArticlesRex'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.