Boxed card game, Alice in Wonderland, published in England by Thomas de la Rue in 1918

A set of forty-eight chromolithographed 48 cards arranged in sixteen sets of three, with a leading card naming the other two, plus an instruction card

Given by Mrs E. M. T. Stewart

The set shows drawings by Miss E Gertrude Thomson taken from the originals by Sir John Tenniel.

Rules:
Rules for Alice in Wonderland
The pack consists of forty-eight cards, viz, sixteen set of the cards each, all three bearing the same number. One card in each set is a LEADING card. On this card will be found the names of the other two cards required to form the set; thus, the LEADING card, `Alice Telescoping' tells you to find `Rabbit running away' and `The Fan', which complete this set.

The game may be played by several - the more the merrier. The cards having been first shuffled and cut, are dealt one at a time face downwards to each player in rotation, until the pack is exhausted. The players then arrange their cards, and those who can make up complete sets from their hands before actual play begins, do so and lay the sets face downwards on the table. The player to the dealer's left begins the play by exposing a LEADING card on the table, and then calls upon anyone he pleases to hand him one of the cards required to make up the set. If successful, and he can complete the set from his own hand, he must do so; but if he cannot, he must make another call on the same or some other player, for the remaining card of the set. But should he ask a player for a card which he has not got, he then forfeits one card to the player so challenged, and the player next on his left takes up the play.

When a player has succeeded in completing a set, he may expose another LEADING card, and go on asking until he incurs a forfeiture. If a player, when his turn comes round to play, has not got a LEADING card either in his hand or exposed on the table, he forfeits a card to the one who played last, and the one to his left goes on with the play. But if a player, having played his turn, and completed a set, then finds himself without a LEADING card, he does not forfeit, but the play passes to the player on his left. No player must expose more than one LEADING card at a time, and must complete tht set before exposing another. When a player has exhausted all his cards except a LEADING card, exposed on the table, that card is forfeited to the player whom he unsuccessfully challenges for a card of the same set.

The winner of the game is the one who completes the most sets.
*Forfeits by allowing a card to be drawn from his hand unseen by the opponent.

See Misc.181-1978 for an advert for this game - it lists the card game as HP Gibosn & Sons Ltd, London, EC1 with GIBSONS printed under the illustration of the box - text:
'The Most Beautiful, Artistic and Instructive Card Games Made. Printed on Fine Cardboard, Enamelled on both sides nd printed with Ornamental design on back. Each pack with Rules and Telescopic Box. The cards composing the games are printed in colours from new and original designs of a most taking character, and the games will be found highly amusing for both young and old.'

HP Gibson & Sons Ltd

This is an early example of character merchandising. Based on the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this pack of cards shows drawings by Miss E Gertrude Thomson taken from the originals by Sir John Tenniel.

The pack consists of 48 cards or 16 sets of three. One card in each set is a Leading card. On this card are the names of the other two cards required to form the set. For example, the Leading card, `Alice Telescoping' tells you to find `Rabbit running away' and `The Fan', which complete this set. The complete pack is dealt out among the players and the winner is the one who can complete the most sets.

MISC.137-1976