There’s something special about the old games which feature the beloved nursery rhymes.  The 1875 game of Mother Hubbard by Mcloughlin Brothers is not an exception.  The small 3×4 inch box displaying a stylish dog sitting in a chair reading ‘Sporting News’ is charming. Inside the slipcase box are equally enchanting 2 x 1.5 inch cards. Each card displays an image and name of item.  Also included is the booklet to read and play the game from.

The game of Mother Hubbard is similar to the game of Cock Robin, which was published by Mcloughlin in 1860.  Cards are passed out to the players of any number, while one player stands in as the ‘Reader’.  The designated Reader then reads the verse out loud, and players, who have the matching card to the ‘card’ noted in the rhyme by the Reader, places it down.

The ending to Cock Robin is different and a bit more amusing than Mother Hubbard. You can read about that particular game here: 1860’s Cock Robin.  Nonetheless, Mother Hubbard provides a glimpse back in time when gathering around, reading, and being silly was an evening’s fun!

The winner of Mother Hubbard is the person who runs out of cards first.  This is accomplished in two ways.  First by the players handing the correct card to the reader during the verse, if they have it, and second by going in turn and handing a card from their hand to complete the sentence read by the Reader.

The first follows closely to the nursery rhyme (shown below)

The second is the silly part, depending on what cards are used to complete the sentence (also shown)

The Cards:

Enjoy a game today!