Posted 6 years ago
airlogan
(1 item)
My Dad brought this home one day when we were kids. It's made of a sturdy translucent vinyl, and I've searched for years to see if anyone could tell me about it. It came in a carrying case (also vinyl) which lists other games presumably made by the same company. Other games mentioned include: Skelly, Penny Pitching, Immies, etc... The "board" is 28" x 54"... it's such a mystery, because I think it's a great piece, but seemingly with no surviving relatives!
So far, all I've been able to dig up is that Quite Contrary, Inc. patented a Tic-Tac-Toe game in 1967. Not sure of their location at that time. There was also a Quite Contrary, Inc in the U.S. patent records of 2002 out of Greenville, SC. According to the Secretary of State of SC, Quite Contrary, Inc. was incorporated in July 2000, and dissolved in November 2017. That wouldn't match up with this company of the same name in 1967 unless it was the same company but incorporated in a different state.
There actually is currently a company named Quite Contrary in the UK that sells "skittles" of various designs as well as other children's games. https://www.quitecontrary.uk/
I doubt it's related, but the coincidence is uncanny.
@MacDaddyRico - yes, it actually originated as a "street game" in NYC. It was originally called "Skully".
All the other references are either marbles games or marbles themselves (i.e., aggies, puries, and immies). Of course we all know about "pitching pennies" and "beanbags", and "running bases" had nothing to do with baseball (softball), but still involved throwing a ball.
Pretty cool piece of history there.
Thanks for the comments! MacDaddyRico, when did you play Skellies (Skully) ? RCassano, thanks for the info... it *does* seem like a good lead!