[Dickens], The Christmas Game of "Dickens", for Old and Young, by One of his Admirers. 1867, 80 original cards in box

[DICKENS, CHARLES]

The Christmas Game of "Dickens", for Old and Young, by One of his Admirers. "God Bless Us, Every One." Boston: J. M. Whittemore, 1867

80 cards (95 x 65 mm.), comprised of sixteen sets of five cards relating to a Dickens novel or story, each with principal characters from the story, printed on heavy orange stock, single folded sheet with playing instructions included, all contained in original patterned box with lid, label on lid with title and imprint printed in black, slight wear and staining to box with small tears

A SCARCE SURVIVAL OF A CONTEMPORARY CARD GAME INSPIRED BY THE POPULARITY OF DICKENS' WORKS AND SOME OF HIS MOST CELEBRATED CREATIONS (Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Pip, Miss Havisham, Mr. Pecksniff, Squeers of Dotheboys Hall, Mr Micawber, Little Nell, the Artful Dodger, Oliver and many more). The game, which appears to be loosely based on "Happy Families", includes all his works up to 1867 (so including Our Mutual Friend, published in 1864, but excluding the unfinished Mystery of Edwin Drood).