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Thirty-six cards, displaying various creatures from all across the world, are included in the antique 1900 Game of Wild Animals by Mcloughlin Bros. The game box illustrates one of these animals on its cover. A majestic looking Lion, with a Lioness, make for an attractive team to introduce the Wild Animals found inside the box.
The cards are divided into six different sets containing six animals from each of the set’s locations. The object of the game is to collect as many complete sets as possible (called books), and have the most points. Two of the sets (US East and US West) are worth two points. The other four sets (Europe, Asia, Africa, and Polar Regions) are worth one point.
The cards of the game consist of the following wild animals:
U.S. East Animals:
Opossum, Fox, Lynx, Moose, Beaver, Raccoon
U.S. West Animals
Skunk, Grizzly, Buffalo, Antelope, Wild Goat, Mountain Lion
Europe Animals:
Rabbit, Wolf, Stag, Badger, Chamois, Squirrel
Asia Animals:
Yak, Boar, Tiger, Wild Ass, Elephant, Rhinoceros
Africa Animals:
Zebra, Lion, Camel, Giraffe, Mandrill, Hippopotamus
Polar Regions Animals:
Musk-ox, Seal, Walrus, Reindeer, Polar Bear, Arctic Fox
A ‘Note’ within the game directions state that the above animals of the game represented the most famous for the area’s set.
To play the game, the dealer shuffles the entire deck and deals out all thirty-six cards amongst the players. Then, taking turns, players begin asking other players of their choosing for a card to help complete a set from within their hands.
If a person has the particular card being asked for, he must hand it over to the player asking for it from him. The player can then continue his turn and ask for another card from either the same player or from a different player.
If a player does not have the particular card asked for, the turn ends, and play passes to the next player.
The directions of the box state the game is for two, three, or four players. However, I am thinking this must be a mistake or is just not a very fun game for two players. If only two people are playing, and since all cards are dealt to players, obviously, if one player doesn’t have a card, the other does. The rules of the game do not call for any cards to be set aside in a central pile for picking when not receiving.
No matter, though. Today the old game is a collectible item and enjoyed for its simplicity and reminder of pastimes. I can imagine when the game was created and played by those of the time, seeing the different wild animals from around the world was great fun and learning experience.
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