Random House - Crazy Eights (Artist Unkown-1951)

This week I thought I would try something a little different than one of my "usual" posts that use material from books, comics, or cartoons. What we have here in these brilliant little cards is one of those totally random and unexpected examples of just stumbling onto something that inspires you when you least expect it. I found this little retro looking card game set sitting innocently and quietly on a table in the back corner of some hoity-toity overpriced knick-knack shop that I was dragged into while visiting my father in Miami about three years ago and it immediately grabbed my feeble attention. I couldn't even see what was inside of the box which killed me, and I had to really struggle with my consience to not quietly open up the box since it was still shrink wrapped. But I knew just from the outside graphics that I needed to own it and see for myself what sort of incredible treasures were inside. here look for yourselves...












I really love the simple graphic approach that the artist took in these. They are so lively, fun, and appealing in almost every aspect from their design, color, composition & patterns. It's just a shame that I have no idea who in the hell the genius was that created these little beauties, and what other sort of similary mind-numbing works of art he or she might have created. I would also kill to see the original artwork for these, since they were obviosuly heavily screened and such to make the richly textured and colorful artwork suitable for printing. If any of you out there have any theories on who this artist might be PLEASE do us all a favor and post it in the comments or shoot me an e-mail. Also, if you happen to own the ORIGINAl version of this card game from the 1950's I would love to see how the printing compares to this more recently re-printed set I have here.