MOTHER GOOSE'S ATTIC - Vintage Card Games

Enid Blyton

There have been about 8 card games related to different Enid Blyton characters.
6 by Pepys, 2 by Sampson Low
They are:
Famous Five: 2 versions by Pepys
The Faraway Tree by Pepys
Find Out by Pepys
Noddy: 1 by Pepys, 2 by Sampson Low
Secret Seven by Pepys
See the rest of the listing for descriptions of these games.

England Expects
by Pepys (Castell Brothers Ltd)

This game was produced by Pepys in 1940. It is a patriotic British navy themed war game and has illustrations based on photographs of the actual ships. The backs of the cards have a depiction in blue of Nelson's column, the famous London Monument in Trafalgar Square.

The game is for 3 or more people

The complete set has 44 cards :

The cards are divided into 4 suits: Crown, Anchor, Lifebuoy and Pennant and are number 1 – 11 except for the Crown suit that is numbered 1 – 10. The Crown is always Trump suit and if unable to follow suit any Crown card takes the trick unless overtrumped by another player also unable to follow suit; or the play of the Master card. The Master (Ensign) card is superior to all others in the pack and may be played at any time, in turn, even if able to follow the suit led.

Francis E. McMurtrie who was editor of Jane's Fighting Ship is specially mentioned for his expert assistance.

Find the rules for the game here........

Express
by Pepys (Castell Brothers Ltd)

The First Edition of this game was produced pre 1947 by Pepys series (Castell Brothers Ltd)and has 4 special stiff fold-out stations. The cards feature classic trains from LNER, GWR, SR, and LMS (London and North Eastern Railway, Great Western Railway, Southern Railway, London, Midland and Scottish Railway),with a design of the ‘Mallard’ in shades of blue and white on the reverse, The Mallard still holds the world steam speed record of 126mph (202kph) which it achieved on 3rd July 1938, whilst the pre-nationalized stations depict colourful scenes and a card on the reverse of the box of a young girl holding a dog and waiving to a departing train. There is also a version of this game in a red and white box.

The game is for 2-4 people.
The complete set has 44 cards :

5 cards each of:
L.N.E.R. Engine, 1st Coach, 3rd Coach, Diner, Guard's Van
G.W.R. Engine,Wagon, Milk Van, Gas Cylinder, Wagon, Brake Van
S.R. Engine, 1st Coach, 3rd Coach, Pullman, Guard's Van
L.M.S. Engine, Hopper Wagon, Refrigerator Van, Milk Tank Wagon, Brake Van
Pool Engine, Wagon, Van, Coach (1st Diner), Coach (3rd Guard's Van)
Red Signals
Green Signals (1)
Green signals (2) and 4 Passes

The Second Edition of this game was issued in the 1950s/60s (again by Pepys series Castell Brothers Ltd) after nationalization with the help & co-operation of British Railways. The main difference between the 1st and 2nd editions is that the stations are now on normal cards and there are now scenic backgrounds on the other cards. The cards feature trains from LMR, ER, SR, and WR (London Midland Region, Eastern Region, Southern Region, Western Region),with a design based on a “mallard” type locomotive‘ in shades of blue and white on the reverse but interestingly, bearing the name of the.'Flying Scotsman’. Obviously an attempt by the manufacturer to “Modernise” the pack!

The complete set has 44 cards :
5 cards each of:
L.M.R. Engine, 1st Coach, 3rd Coach, Restaurant Car, Guard's Van
E.R. Engine, 1st Coach, 3rd Coach, Restaurant Car, Guard's Van
S.R. Engine, Gas Cylinder Wagon, Grain Wagon, High Open Wagon
W.R. Engine, Low Open Wagon, Bogie Bolster Wagon, Covered Wagon, Brake Van
Pool Engine, Coach, Wagon, Guard's Van, Brake Van.

4 cards each of: Red Signals; Green Signals (1) ; Green signals (2) & Stations
3 Passes

The object of the game is to be the first person to make up a train (of any one Railway or Region) by collecting the necessary five cards and moving it out of the station by the use of the signal cards.

For further information on "Train" based games see
You can find it here. Train Themed Vintage Card Games

Find the rules for the first edition of the game here........

Find the rules for the second edition of the game here........