Period Pieces

Published November 12, 2019 Updated May 12, 2022

National Trust Period Pieces Antiques Game produced in 1976 by Dinosaur Publications.

1976 United KingdomDinosaur Publications LtdNational TrustCard Games

‘Period Pieces’ Antiques Game produced for the National Trust by Dinosaur Publications in 1976. This card game comprises 11 sets of 4 cards depicting different classes of item from one of four eras: Jacobean, Georgian, Victorian or Modern plus 4 wild cards called “House Cards”, and a rules card printed on both sides. The game is played somewhat like Rummy, with players seeking to make sets of 3 or 4 cards of either the same period or object, scoring points as depicted by the numbers on the cards (1-11) or 20 for a house card. Points are deducted for cards left in one's hand at the end of a round. The winner is the first person to achieve a target score, as decided by players in advance. See the Rules

National Trust Period Pieces Antiques Game produced in 1976 National Trust Period Pieces Antiques Game produced in 1976 National Trust Period Pieces Antiques Game produced in 1976

Above: Period Pieces Antiques Game produced for the National Trust in 1976 by Dinosaur Publications. No mention of the manufacturer on cards or box.

National Trust Period Pieces Antiques Game produced in 1976
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By Matt Probert

United Kingdom • 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.

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