I don’t think I can bring something new to what’s already been written about Master Mind. It is a great logic game, very popular at the time, and it’s being sold even today, so it must have something special.
I have one of this I got from my father, but exceptionally I am showing the pictures of this game I have found at my in-laws.
As you can see, Master Mind game was Game of the Year in 1972 and therefore it was released in this “mini” version, suitable to carry it in a pocket. The edition was made in several (ten) languages and cames with the instruction sheet in all 10 languages.
Something surprising is the cover picture, depicting two very elegant adults. The man was Bill Woodward from Leicester, the oriental woman, we do not know. Probably at the time, the game was intended for adults, it might be a bit difficult for children under 12, although current age recommendations are 8 years and up.
The special about this game sample in the pictures, is that it ha never been used, since the pegs are still in its original sealed bag… 44 years already.
Invicta Games was founded in 1945 or 1946 by plastic specialist Ted Jones-Fenleigh in Leicester. The company went into administration in December 2013, when 11 workers were “made redundant”, and only 24 remained. Only a few days after that, the company was bought by its formers directors, rescueing part of the business, but selling the educational and retail parts.
Years ago, it was an important company, mostly because of the success of Master Mind. They had one central office in Leicester, but other in the U.S.A. (New York), Germany (Nürnberg), Italy (Milano) and Japan (Tokyo). In the latest 1990s, they specialized in educational games and had 160 employes.
The company was always specialised in plastic and plastic injection mouldings, and it probably continued like that after 2009.
FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Name: MINI MASTER MIND
- Year: 1974
- Company: Invicta Plastics Ltd. (Great Britain)
- Size: approx. 18 x 7 cm (game box)
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