Action Game Appraisal

Paddle Pool: Smashing Action Game (Game Box)

This item is the cardboard box for a vintage game called "Paddle Pool: Smashing Action Game." The box is made of corrugated cardboard, which appears to be a natural, unbleached kraft color, suggesting a utilitarian and likely cost-effective manufacturing process. The primary graphic on the box lid is a two-tone, possibly screen-printed, illustration in blue ink on the natural cardboard background. It depicts three children, two girls and one boy, joyfully engaged in playing the 'Paddle Pool' game, which appears to involve manipulating a central object within a hexagonal or octagonal playing field using rods. The style of the illustration, particularly the children's clothing and hairstyles, strongly suggests a mid to late 20th-century aesthetic, likely the 1960s or 1970s. Below the illustration, the game's title "paddle pool" is prominently displayed in large, sans-serif, white letters against a solid pink or magenta rectangular background. Underneath this, the tagline "SMASHING ACTION GAME" is printed in smaller white letters. The box shows significant signs of wear consistent with age and storage, including creasing, folds, tears, especially along the edges and corners, and general discoloration or dirt accumulation. The top flap, in particular, is heavily creased and appears partially detached or severely bent. There are no visible maker's marks or copyright information immediately discernible from the image, but the overall presentation points to a mass-produced consumer toy item from its era. The simplicity of the graphic design and material choice indicates a focus on function over elaborate presentation, typical of children's games from that period. The condition indicates it has been handled and stored for a long time, possibly without its original contents.