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February, 2018 The Antique Shoppe Page 29
The Game of Cootie has become the Holy Hasbro reissues the game in different
Grail of cootie games. It also launched the term marketing boxes every few years, so collectors
“cootie” into grade schools across America in have many different boxes or games to display.
the 1950s. The Game of Cootie was included, Die-hard players still insist on using Schaper’s
in 2003, on the Toy Industry Association’s 1949 game since it is the only cootie game issued
“Century of Toys” list as one of the 100 most in 103 years of cootie games to feature a full-
memorable games from the 20th century. bodied, free-standing, three-dimensional cootie.
The object of The Game of Cootie was to Fortunately, there are “shots” for players
be the first player to build a three-dimensional and children who catch the cooties. Children
bug-like “cootie” from a variety of plastic immunize one another from cooties by
body parts, including a head, a beehive-like administering an anti-cootie injection. Typically,
body, antennae, coiled proboscis (mouth), a child administers the “shot”, using an index
eyes, and six legs. Creepy, crawly cooties finger to trace circles and dots on another child’s
were built by rolling a die and obtaining body forearm while reciting the rhyme, “Circle, circle,
parts that corresponded to the number on the Dot, dot, – Now you’ve got the cootie shot!” For
die, such as throw a one and get a body, throw difficult cases, a child might
a two and get a head. The number needed say, “Circle, circle, Square,
most was six since it corresponded to the six square, – Now you have it
legs; however, cootie body parts had to be ↑ Cootie by everywhere,” immunizing
obtained in a certain order—first the body, a child throughout his or
then the head, then any other part in any order. Milton Bradley her entire body. A life-time
The winner was the first player to assemble or (1986); $32. vaccine developed where a
“catch” a cootie. child would draw circles with
Since then, there have been many different her finger and say, “Circle,
cootie games offered to children, each Vintage, Deluxe circle, Knife, knife, – Now
involving some form of the dreaded cootie Cootie game by you’ve got it all your life!”
bug. One such game, popular with collectors, Schaper, 1972; Collecting cootie games
is Cootie House, offered by Sears in the late $35. → may be fun, but catching
1960s. Cootie House came with a vinyl mat the “cooties” has caused
and eight cooties. thousands of Baby Boomers
Tyco Toys acquired Schaper Mfg and to grow up seeking therapy.
the name and rights to Cootie in 1973, and Children really can be mean
Hasbro, a subsidiary of Milton Bradley, caught to each other. But there is no
(purchased) the Cooties in 1986. Hasbro “re- denying that a cootie game
invented” the Cootie board game, and it has will bring a smile to any boy
remained a popular child’s game for nearly 40 who has ever told his sister,
years. “You have the cooties!”

Oviedo Antique Mall
95 Geneva Drive

Oviedo, FL 32765
Open 7 Days • Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12-6pm
Central Florida’s Friendliest Antique Mall
Now over 12,500 Square Feet
100+ Dealers for your shopping Pleasure

Primitives, Antiques & Collectibles of All Types
Highwaymen Paintings are our Specialty

The newest addition to our family of dealers is #SEA. She sells a
wide variety of beautiful stained glass pieces. Her variety includes
bird baths, plates, bowls, wind chimes, globe lights, hanging signs,
9 and much more! Pricing is very affordable. Stands are also available.

Just in...a large selection of antique furniture including a working
1918 Stand Up Victor Talking Machine phonograph, Henry F Miller
mid century spinet piano and gorgeous mid 19th century desk
in Empire style. Delivery available.
Echoes of Yesterday Website: oviedoantiquemall.com PH:407-366-3668
Email: oviedoantiquemall@gmail.com Toll Free 866-824-9336

A Mall for Antiques, Collectibles & Yesterday’s Items Our Lladro figurine dealer has
Historic Downtown Area expanded to offer many other glass
109 Broadway, Kissimmee, FL 34741 and porcelain figurines. Visit our full
service watch & clock repair shop.
(407) 847-2300 Make Downtown Oviedo Your

Mon-Sat 10-5 (Fri 10-4) All Day Antique Destination!
2 Antique shops (25,000 Sq. Ft.) & A
Visit us on Facebook: Thrift Store within easy walking distance.
Echoes of Yesterday Antique Mall We stock Maison Blanche
Paints & Products
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