The History of Old Maid
The rules of the German card game Black Peter were written down as early as 1821.
Black Peter and Old Maid
The rules of the German game Black Peter (Schwarzer Peter) were recorded as early as 1821. In English, the rules of Old Maid were first written down in a book for girls by Eliza Leslie, published in America in 1831. The game is presumed to come from an old European gambling game in which the loser paid for the next round of drinks.
Special Picture Cards
In German-speaking countries Black Peter is often played with special picture cards, typically 31 or 37, the odd card usually a chimney sweep or a black cat. It can also be played with an ordinary 32-card pack from which one black Jack is removed. The loser often gets a smudge of soot on the face.
Old Maid at PaperGames
PaperGames uses the animal pictures of its Pairs game and draws the Black Peter as a black cat with a top hat. The cards carry no writing, so children who cannot read yet, or do not speak the language, can play.