"Book Case" image via ryder.
This "Mickey Mouse Library of Games" was a set of six card games produced by Russell Mfg. Company in 1946-1948. The card boxes and case holder is made to look like a set of small books: Donald Duck (Vol. 1), Pinocchio (Vol. 2), Mickey Mouse (Vol. 3), Bambi (Vol. 4), The Three Little Pigs (Vol. 5), and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Vol. 6).
The individual boxes are tiny, measuring approximately 2.75" x 1.75" x 1". Case length is 5.75". In each box of cards is a set of instructions on how to play the individual game. On the bottom of each instruction sheet is "1946 Russell Mfg. Co." Printed on the back of each box is "Made in U.S.A., Russell Mfg. Company, Leicester, Mass."
The set is seen here still in an original "bus" box.
Above three images copyright Heritage Auction Galleries.
The set is listed in a print ad from the September 1948 Playthings trade magazine.
Image via gdawg.
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The Snow White box...
Simulated page edging shown along side of box.
The deck consists of four suits, 48 playing cards.
The card backs on this deck feature Dopey printed in gray ink. Other sets have been found with red ink. The Rules: Earn points for consecutive cards in the same suit or the same numbered cards from different suits. Taking a trick deducts points. Player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.
Over the years, the same Snow White card game (or some variation of it) was reissued by Russell many times. This "duet" package features The Three Little Pigs game along with Snow, both in their first edition boxes.
See later editions of the game in another Archive entry.
All the stranger that it is Bashful, but he looks like he is preparing to moon someone. o.O Also, Sneezy looks bossy while Doc looks like he could use a tissue!
ReplyDeleteSheryl-- Hadn't thought of that about Bashful before, but now that you mention it...
ReplyDeleteConnie-- Right on!
I have the Dondald Duck and Pinocchio set of cards. I just went and checked and they are marked Russell Mfg. They don't have a date, but they are from the mid-seventies. The graphics on the boxes appear to have been updated, but the images on the cards look vintage. I believe they were sold individually at that time because I never had the other sets. I remember these were in my Christmas stocking one year. I just recently rescued them from my mom's garage!
ReplyDeleteTokyo-- Yes, I know the cards you mean. I have a Snow White set from 1965 that was sold separately. It has the same style of graphics on the box but updated. And the cards are slightly larger at 3 1/2" x 2 3/8".
ReplyDeleteNice save from your mom's garage! :)