Polygo™

Published January 22, 2025 Updated January 22, 2025

Cards of irregular, four-sided shape for playing word and colour games as well as more traditional ones.

1999 United KingdomSpellingRichard Edward LtdCard Games

As card shapes go, this must rate as one of the most unusual. The inventor, a certain “Dr P.”, proposes 12 ways of playing games with these cards in the accompanying leaflet . These range from traditional card games to word games to matching games (by shape or by colour). Solitaire (or patience) games are also included. On five of the cards, one can read “Polygo™ / © 1998 P S M Products Ltd / Patents pending”.

These cards almost certainly had quite a short life. Perhaps the inventor was trying too hard to create a multipurpose set. Would they have worked better if they had not had rounded corners?

Polygo™ made by Richard Edward Ltd, Plumstead, UK. Published by PSM Products Ltd, London, UK, 1999 Polygo™ made by Richard Edward Ltd, Plumstead, UK. Published by PSM Products Ltd, London, UK, 1999

Above: Polygo™ made by Richard Edward Ltd, Plumstead, UK. Published by PSM Products Ltd, London, UK, 1999. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 bridge scoring card + fold-out leaflet in clear plastic box housed in a tuck box with tab. Size: 55 x 80 mm approx. (at widest point).

See the box

Publicity leaflet

Polygo™ made by Richard Edward Ltd, Plumstead, UK. Published by PSM Products Ltd, London, UK, 1999
avatar
634 Articles

By Roddy Somerville

France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact

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.

Related Articles

2002 Classic Card Games for Kids

Classic Card Games for Kids

A boxed set of playing cards, Happy Families and an alphabet pack with rules for 22 games.

1904 So-Lah – A Game of Music

So-Lah – A Game of Music

An early 20th century domino-type musical card game by Goodall.

2008 Green Cards

Green Cards

Recycled playing cards with striking, non-standard courts.

1985 Alternative Happy Families

Alternative Happy Families

An updated, 1980s-style “Alternative Happy Families” game.

2014 Politically Incorrect Happy Families

Politically Incorrect Happy Families

A Happy Families set with many differences from a conventional one.

1975 Waddingtons Nursery Rhymes

Waddingtons Nursery Rhymes

Nursery rhyme playing cards by Waddingtons, Leeds, UK, 1975.

1980 My Word

My Word

My Word “The last word in card games” designed by Michael Kindred and Malcolm Smith, published in 19...

1958 Spell

Spell

Spell word game published by Pepys Games, 1958.

1950 Have A Go

Have A Go

Have A Go card game published by Photo-Briton Ltd featuring photographs of waxwork figures from Mada...

1908 Spelka

Spelka

Spelka, a word game published by John Jaques & Son Ltd, c.1908.

1937 Strip Tease

Strip Tease

‘Strip Tease’ card game featuring characters involved in the performance and subsequent prosecution ...

1878 The New Game of Animals

The New Game of Animals

Victorian card game with imaginatively designed letters which spell the name of an animal, with one ...

Waddy Productions

Waddy Productions

Waddy Productions Ltd was a member of the giant Amalgamated Press group and only published card game...

1880 Caught in a Trap

Caught in a Trap

A Victorian card game telling a story of a victim being ensnared in a trap, being caught, and finall...

1948 Sylabex / Wordmaker

Sylabex / Wordmaker

Sylabex / Wordmaker was first published by Pepys in 1948.

Animal Snap

Animal Snap

The full set of this 'Snap' card game is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a tot...

1938 Dartex

Dartex

Dartex, the Thrilling New Card Game of Skill (1938) based on the traditional pub game where darts ar...

1895 London Post

London Post

Jaques' The London Post Card Game, c.1895.

1905 Entente Cordiale

Entente Cordiale

Jaques' The Entente Cordiale Card Game, c.1905.

Collecting English Playing Cards & Games

Collecting English Playing Cards & Games

The History of English Playing Cards dates probably from the mid 15th century, the first documentary...