Thursday, December 6, 2012

Alain Gree Vintage Memory Card



I came across these lovely illustrations the other day on flickr that looked familiar. Then I remembered that I had seen the designer's work before and had briefly blogged. On reading more, I found out the images are from Waddington Games 'Memory Game' animal cards designed by Alain Gree in the late 60s. Did you play with them when you were a kid or own them?

8 comments:

  1. YES! I was born in the late 70's and had this set as a child. It was already "vintage" by then. I recently found it in my parents basement and now play it with my 4 year old. Each time I flip over a card it's like seeing an old friend. I treasure my set, but it would do so well if it was re-issued.

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  2. hi! that's so funny, because i did a blog post not long ago with these memory cards :-)
    here you can have a look:
    http://www.schneemari.blogspot.co.at/2012/11/original-memory-spiel.html
    i LOVED that game!!!
    greetings from austria!
    marina

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  3. If you can imagine 4 grown brothers, in their late 40's and early 50's, with their college age children playing this memory card game on the floor in front of a fireplace, then you've got my parents house on Christmas Eve. I am the oldest of 4 brothers and we've played with those for what seems like decades.

    Noisy celebrations on a match, and friendly hoots and hollers on misses.

    90 cards in all. Our "Petunia" does not have Petunia written on it tho. Matchsticks, dots, reverse dots, Christmas ornament, strawberry in space, etc all images stamped into fond memory.

    Hold onto your set. They get better every year.

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  4. How fun! I'm thrilled how these memory cards brought back all those sweet memories :)Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Yes, we had a set in our family! I loved all of the tiles. Maybe that's why I love art and design now!

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  6. Kathy, I can see how these cards can make one fall in love with art :)

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  7. Hi, I really love this card set. You say the cards were designed by Alain Gree. Can I ask where you discovered this please? I know some of the pictures are by Martin & Alice Provensen and some by Ray & Charles Eames, but to my knowledge none are by Gree. Can you confirm which ones are please? Thanks! Martin

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  8. Hi Martin, The source (flickr account) from where I borrowed the pictures is no longer available. If you know of any other website where I can verify the artwork and the artists please let me know, I'll be happy to make the edits.

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