My Word, The Better Letter Game thumbnail 1
Not on display

My Word, The Better Letter Game

Card Game
ca. 1930 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Card games which aim to promote spelling skills are all very similar: a selection of letters is used to make up words. Although the general purpose of the game is to aid spelling skills, their is also the aim of getting rid of cards as soon as possible.

This game has 54 cards and the players have a choice of one of four moves. They take turns trying to form a complete word from the cards in their hands. The word is placed face up on the table and the players discard one of their cards and take either the exposed card or a blind one. Players can add to words already formed, for example, changing mother to smother; or substitute letters, for example replacing the second 'e' in expert with an 'o' to form export. As the game proceeds a crossword is formed so that after several turns the playing surface looks somewhat like a Scrabble board.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMy Word, The Better Letter Game (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithographed card
Brief description
Card word making game, My Word, made in England by W H Storey about 1930
Physical description
Design: chromolithographs, reverse sides are printed in red
Dimensions
  • Card height: 8.9cm
  • Card width: 5.7cm
Production typeMass produced
Object history
The cards with stars have printed in the corners:- MY WORD. TRADEMARK BRITISH PAT.NO. 449212 FOREIGN PATS.PENDING.
Rules have PUBLISHED BY W H STOREY & CO LTD CROYDEN PATENT NO 449212

All card games which aim to promote spelling skills are basically the same, a selection of letters are used to make up words. Although the general purpose of the game is to aid spelling skills, the aim is to get rid of the cards as soon as possible.


Games & Puzzles, CGG 1991
Historical context
No. of Players: any
Equipment required: 54 cards of which 48 bear letters of the alphabet and 6 have one, two or three stars.
rules booklet with cover printed in black and gold
card box with padded lid, dark red

Rules:
The playing rules are generally simple, with players having a choice of one of four moves. Each player is dealt 10 cards and the remaining cards placed in a pile face donw but with the top card exposed. The players take it in turn to try to form a complete word from the cards in their hands. The word is placed face up on the table and the players discard one of their cards and take either the exposed card or a blind one. Players can add to words already formed, for example, changing `mother' to `smother' or substitute letters, for example removing the `e' from expert to form export. As the game proceeds a crossword is formed so that after the fourth person's turn the table looks somewhat like a Scrabble board.
Summary
Card games which aim to promote spelling skills are all very similar: a selection of letters is used to make up words. Although the general purpose of the game is to aid spelling skills, their is also the aim of getting rid of cards as soon as possible.

This game has 54 cards and the players have a choice of one of four moves. They take turns trying to form a complete word from the cards in their hands. The word is placed face up on the table and the players discard one of their cards and take either the exposed card or a blind one. Players can add to words already formed, for example, changing mother to smother; or substitute letters, for example replacing the second 'e' in expert with an 'o' to form export. As the game proceeds a crossword is formed so that after several turns the playing surface looks somewhat like a Scrabble board.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.68-1977

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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