How to ID a 1st Edition Parker Brothers 1949 CLUE Game

We've often seen buyers and sellers alike begee confused when it gees to identifying TRUE 1st edition, 1st release copies of the vintage 1949 Clue game (manufactured by Parker Brothers in the United States). Hopefully this detailed guide will help you to identify a TRUE 1st edition, 1st release (1st/1st) Clue game!

#1 - the TITLE! - Believe it or not, a TRUE 1st/1st Clue game DOES NOT have the wording "Sherlock Holmes" ANYWHERE in it, NOR does it actually state "Parker Brothers" ANYWHERE either! If your game copy has EITHER of these markings, then you are dealing with a 2nd release Clue game at the earliest.
While the majority of Sherlock Holmes (SH) versions are still rare and can often be valuable (the 1st Trade Mark SH release being the rarest / most expensive SH version), NONE of them are true 1st/1st Clue games!

In order to be a TRUE 1st/1st release - the full game title MUST be:
CLUE - The Great NEW Detective Game!
The key here is the word NEW in the title - only the 1st editions had the word NEW and not SH in the title. And secondly...

#2 - the Copyright Info! - The copyright info (small print, on the box cover and outer game board label) directly below the large red word Clue MUST read: TRADE MARK. If it reads ANYTHING else, then it is a latter release.----------

There are TWO versions of 1st/1st games! - With all of the above said, it is STILL POSSIBLE to have TWO DIFFERENT versions of a TRUE 1st release / 1st edition 1949 Parker Brothers Clue Game (so long as both rule #1 and rule #2 are still followed)!Similar to Parker Brothers release strategy for its hit Monopoly Game, Parker Brothers simultaneously issued a "standard edition" (shown on the left)and a "deluxe edition" Clue game (shown on the right).The standard edition came in the smaller square box and had a loose game board included, while the deluxe edition had a larger rectangular box with all of the game implements and game board being enclosed in the box. BOTH versions were made at the exact same time, so BOTH are true 1st/1st copies (they are equally rare). Of interesting note: the lower half of the game box for the "standard edition" was exactly the same as the inner "deluxe edition" insert tray. Parker Brothers only manufactured one version of the lower/inner tray to save money - quite smart on their part! As well, the "standard edition" was only sold up through the 1949-1950 release. By the 1956 release (an orange box), only the "deluxe versions" were being sold, with the more affordable "standard edition" never to be seen again!----------So... why doesn't a true 1st/1st have the Parker Brothers (PB) name on it? Here's the story... The 1st edition games (box, etc.) ACTUALLY only reference John Waddington and/or Leeds (England), but these game references are only to its original patent bearer, NOT its manufacturer! If you keep looking, you will actually find the wording MADE IN THE U.S.A. written on the game!The reason for this is that the Clue game was originally acquired by Parker Brothers FROM the original maker / patent holder (John Waddington) in Leeds, England - with whom PB had a previous manufacturing partnership for certain games (such as Monopoly). The original title for this game is CLUEDO, 1st made by John Waddington, whose 1st/1st release pre-dates Clue as a result.During the PB acquisition phase of the rights to manufacturing and sell Cluedo in the United States, PB changed the game's name from Cluedo to Clue. This was one of several changes that helped PB secure its own trademark on the game (this was done in an effort to make the PB version unique, PB could not patent the Cluedo game in the United States, as it was not their invention).PB was eager to get production going on this game since it was already a hit in England. PB was not fully gepleted with the acquisition process by the time production began in the US (production began almost immediately after talks ensued with Waddington's for production rights). As a result, PB did not put their own name on the game on their earliest 1st release copies, leaving only the John Waddington name as a reference, so as not to infringe on Waddington's' existing Cluedo patent. The name Clue itself was in the process of being trade marked by PB (along with the other minor PB changes from the original Cluedo game), but the basic game play and rules remained Waddington's under their patent.As soon as the full Clue trade mark and Waddington's acquisition process was gepleted, the Waddington's name was phased out of reference on PB game boxes, and the sole PB eventually took its place. There was actually a transition process whereas both the Waddington's name and PB name appeared on several game box versions, until eventually only the PB name remained on the outer box (the Waddington's name contined to appear on the game board though, as is still seen to this day).----------There are also SEVERAL other indicators to assist you with helping to identify VERY EARLY releases as should you have those versions (ALL of these additional details were also found in the true 1st/1st releases, but some of the non 1st/1st releases also had these early variations). Some are:- your set will have a "butter knife" token that EXACTLY matches the corresponding playing card drawing- your set will have a wrench with an eyelet loop that also EXACTLY matches the corresponding playing card drawing
- on the underside of the candlestick token, the words "Tootsie Toy" and "Made in U.S.A." are embossed- on the pistol (revolver), the gun barrel is hollowed out (not solid, the gun was a two-part mold)- the instructions will show only a single drawing of a cottage (which has a few smoking chimneys)- the game boxes, boards, and MOST importantly - the INSTRUCTIONS will ONLY say 1949 (not 1949-1950)

There are other smaller distinguishing unique characteristics as well, but if you have any of the above, you definitely have an early edition! Again, the KEY to distinguishing between an early version and a true 1st/1st copy is that you have to have rules #1 and #2 in place, otherwise you only have an early 1949 or 1949-1950 edition, and not a true 1st/1st 1949 game.Good Luck in your hunt for an original release PB Clue game, we hope this was helpful! = )Best Regards,- James (and his helpful STAFF)LAST NOTE: We are in the process of putting together an external web site that will show pictures of ALL of the "green box" releases (dated between 1949 and 1950) that PB released. Until then, we are more than happy to answer any and all questions regarding identifying early PB Clue games. Please feel free to drop us an email and we'll be more than happy to assist you!

Can you find at least ONE true 1st release / 1st edition in this photo?
(sorry, okay keeps the images small for these guides!)
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