Old Maid

Does anyone play Old Maid anymore?

I haven't seen an Old Maid app. Or a deck of Old Maid cards in a long time. Probably not very PC - the spinster was a real but unflattering stereotype of another era.

So I was quite surprised when Natalie broke out these two vintage decks of Old Maid cards from the wonderful emporium of meaningless ephemera that I have collected and held on to over the years, and wanted me to teach her how to play.

At one time the game was so popular they made various editions. Instead of Angry Birds - Back to School edition, or Cut The Rope Xmas holidays, we had Old Maid - Fairy Tale edition, or Circus Edition.

I liked the drawings and characters enough to want to share them here with you.

There is something kind of sad about that cartoon old woman, and about a game that basically is all about trying to get rid of her and foist her card off on your opponent.

I guess the best fairy tales and jokes always carry a bit of a sting, or a bittersweet quality, undernearth the sugar and cute.

Enjoy!

william

Comments

[Chicago Observer]

Oh, Bill, hooray, hooray for Old Maid--recommended for all dads and daughters and granddaughters! It's a favorite game Barry plays with our granddaughters. He always does his best to end up the Old Maid, and the girls still scream with laughter after all these years! The oversized, well-worn deck rests on the coffee table as a fond memento of their visits. Rock on!

[Chicago Observer]

P.S. Maybe the kids would like Battleship, too?

[Jennifer Stix]

Love the images! I remember that old maid card.

There was the Mystery Date board game *1965 version* where the object was to open the door to hopefully find "Mr. Right" - a prim fellow in a white suit with brillcream stiff hair.

I always liked the "dud" so there you have it. Can't seem to find a picture of him. But he was kind of cute in a messy sort of way.

Your post inspires me to survey women friends to see which mystery date architype they remember liking and if their current partner possesses these characteristics ;-).

[Cheap Canada Goose]

Thanks for ur nice post,This is a good write-up.I hope more.

[woolrich outlet]

I painted this old cupboard white using Porters milk paint but decided it was rather boring all white so I painted the door recesses a rather nice chocolate (yes its Cadburys brown!)

[Walter Stevens]

Thanks for posting this. It actually reminds me that I still need to search for a Chicago maid service to clean our house on weekends. http://www.mcmaid.com/house-cleaning/