Funny Families

Funny Families card game manufactured by Woolley & Co in the late 19th century would bring a cheerful atmosphere to Victorian drawing rooms, especially on a wet day. The set contains 48 amusing caricatures of members of 12 families (Mr, Mrs, Master and Miss) whose surnames are puns on their professions, for example Mr Bobby the Policeman, Mr Chop the Butcher and Mr Jack Tar the Sailor, with the children mimicking their parents’ business.

Woolley & Co produced a substantial quantity of card games between around 1880-1905 until they closed down. Many of Woolley & Co's card games were taken over by Roberts Brothers Ltd (the Glevum series) in 1905 when Woolley ceased production. Roberts Brothers were in turn taken over by Chad Valley in 1954.

Above: “Funny Families” card game manufactured by Woolley & Co, 1890s. 48 cards in box. The families are headed by Mr. Rolls the Baker; Mr. Physic the Doctor; Mr. Bumble the Beadle; Mr. Water the Turncock; Mr. Chop the Butcher; Mr. Silence the Usher; Mr. Tommy Atkins the Soldier; Mr. Jack Tar the Sailor; Mr. Saw the Carpenter; Mr. Hose the Fireman; Mr. Bobby the Policeman and Mr. Churn the Milkman. The game was originally published with square corners and plain colour backs but later versions had rounded corners and a patterend back design.