Saturday, September 18, 2010

1939 WIZARD OF OZ CARD GAME MADE IN ENGLAND



















































The 1939 date also comes from Hakes as there is no copyright date to be found anywhere on these cards, their box, or even the instruction booklet. The manufacturer of this game is not even made clear anywhere within the game. The rule booklet does mention that the Copyright was “Entered at Stationers’ Hall” and the side panels of the box include “British Manufacture” on bottom, but that’s it. The other side panels try to sell the game with the phrases “Full of Adventure”, “Endless Amusement” and “Mirth & Magic”.

I’m going to take the 1939 date as fact however as these cards were no doubt manufactured by the same makers of the 1939 Film Fantasy Card Game which does include a 1939 copyright notation. The Film Fantasy cards I have seen offered by different sources, so while I consider them somewhat rare I sincerely believe that this Wizard of Oz deck could actually be considered scarce.

Cards measure approximately 2-1/4″ X 3-1/2″ with rounded corners and all having the same image on the reverse side which is included first in the slide show below. There are 44 different cards in the deck with four each being numbered one through eleven. Every card in the deck is like a miniature work of art, check out some of the detail on these!

When the cards are laid out in order, they form the story of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.

5 comments:

The Hob said...

I have a set of these cards myself. How much do you think they are worth?

Mark Shapiro said...

In good condition with everything in tact, you could get up to $1000 or more and in good condition, they are rare. Just dont give them away.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I also have a pack of these Wizard of Oz cards and also a packet of Film Fantasy Cards, I got them from an elderly neighbour when I was a child. The Wizard of Oz box is slightly bashed but the cards and instructions are all there.

Anonymous said...

hi we have a set to keep them pristine we framed them all in order with the instructions

Anonymous said...

hi we also own a set of these cards..we framed them all in order with a card board cut out professionally done with instrutions to keep them pristine