Table game
C. W. Faulkner and Co Ltd
Category
Sports equipment, games and pastimes
Date
circa 1897 - circa 1910
Materials
Wood and metal
Measurements
20 mm (length of fish); 385 mm (length of box); 60 mm (width of box)
Place of origin
Jewin Street, 41
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 659955
Summary
A late 19th or early 20th century magnetic fish game called 'Attracto or Catch'em' contained in a red lidded box and published by Faulkner & Co Ltd. They began production in 1897. Probably more famous for their beautiful postcards they also made games. They closed in 1956 having made approx 64 table and board games. The Misfitz series which ran from 1897 to c.1920 were by far the best of the bunch and probably rank as the best card games ever in the UK.Consisting of 59 gold and silver coloured metal fish, mostly tarnished. Two wooden fishing rods with string lines attached. One has a red painted magnet attached to the end of the line. One reel of string line wound around rectangle of cardboard. One rectangle of blue velvet (to imitate water). The fish are attracted to the magnet. On either side of the printed label on the lid are two pictures playing the games. Total number of items is sixty seven
Marks and inscriptions
Label on lid: ATTRACTO/ OR CATCH'EM/ Published by C.W. Faulkner and Co, 41, Jewin St, LONDON, E.C./ BY ROYAL LETTERS PATENT THE NEW AND ORIGINAL ROUND GAMES ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL/ 1'-/ NOVEL/ FISHING/ LINE/ GAMES/ FISH/ ATTRACTED/ AND/ EASILY CAUGHT./ TWO/ DISTINCT/ GAMES/ SUITABLE FOR/ OLD AND/ YOUNG./ ANY NUMBERS/ OF PLAYERS.
Makers and roles
C. W. Faulkner and Co Ltd, maker