The Famous Five Card Game by Enid Blyton, A Pepys Game
First Published: 1951, A Pepys Game by Castell Brothers Ltd., St Cross Street, London
Illustrator or Designer: Eileen A. Soper, Endorsed by Enid Blyton
Contents: 44 Cards + Rules Booklet and Facsimile Letter
"This game is based on four of the books about the adventures of the "Five", and the pictures on the cards are all of exciting incidents from the books."
Each set has 8 cards and 1 specific Danger card. There are also 2 General Danger cards and 6 All Safe cards.
Yellow cards are from "Five on a Treasure Island", Blue cards from "Five go to Smuggler's Top", Purple from "Five go off in a Caravan" and Pink "Five get into Trouble.
Famous Five Yellow Cards: Setting off in the Boat, Landing on Kirrin Island, THE STORM, The Old Wreck thrown up in the Storm, The Map found in the Wreck, The entrance to the Dungeons, Down in the Dungeons, The finding of the cave of Gold Ingots. Danger Card: Men are after the Gold, too!
Famous Five Blue Cards: Off in the car to Castaway Hill, Smuggler’s Top, The Sliding Panel, The Mysterious Light in the Tower, What are the lights across the Marsh?, Who gets out of the Window-seat in the night?, Down in the Smugglers’ Tunnel, ESCAPE!. Danger Card: The Enemy Watches.
Famous Five Purple Cards: Setting off in Two Caravans, Arriving at Merran Lake, The Circus Camp, Two Angry Men, Julian’s Hiding-place, The Hole in the Ground!, Prisoners Underground!, Everyone all right!. Danger Card: Poisoned Meat for Timmy!
Famous Five Pink Cards: Setting off on Bicycles, Meeting with Richard, Something happens to Richard!, What’s happening in the Moonlight, Trapped at Owl’s Dene!, Strange Secret!, Richard goes for Help, RESCUE!. Danger Card: The Big Gates closing to prevent the Children escaping
Famous Five cards: 2 General Danger and 6 All Safe cards.
Famous Five by Pepys was published in 1951. The series of books by Enid Blyton and originally illustrated by Eileen A. Soper were immensely popular and they still are. The series began in 1942 with Five on a Treasure Island and concluded in 1963 with the 21st book Five Are Together Again. In 1951 the series stood at ten titles which are listed in the game's rules booklet. The books have never been out of print and have been translated into numerous languages. The Enid Blyton Society have exhaustive information on all things Blyton including images of an alternate version of the game's rule booklet.
Famous Five was originally sold with a facsimile letter from Enid Blyton. A similar letter had been included with Pepys' Faraway Tree the year before. In the Faraway Tree letter Enid Blyton's actual home address was given, this time the letter used Castell Brothers' address, 15-17 St. Cross Street, London EC1. I am sure the Post Office in Beaconsfield was grateful.
World of Blyton say that several of the cards were specifically drawn for this game by Eileen Soper and do not appear as illustrations in the original books, they also point out an error involving Dick on one of the cards.
The game was reissued and redrawn in 1978 but with very few changes to the subjects of the cards.
The 1st and 2nd Edition packs featured here were part of Rex Pitts' personal collection.
Game & Version Details
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Card Back |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Rules Front |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Rules Back Games Advertised: Riders of the Range Speed Pepys Stationery |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Back |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Top |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Side Left |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Base |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Side Right |
 | Famous Five (1st Ed) - Box Back With Flap |