Charles Phillips papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 123.2728

Collection Scope and Content Note

The papers relate to Charles Phillips's career as a game and toy designer. The material consists of game design documents, game rules, game board drafts, game component and packaging proofs, correspondence, photographs, drawings, and reference material. The majority of the drawings and game proofs are oversized.

The collection has been divided into 5 series. Series I contains game rules, incomplete prototypes, and proofs of Phillips's game designs. Series II consists of drawings of toys and other products. Series III contains materials related to "Nutville Nuts," a concept for a cartoon about anthropormorphic nuts. Series IV contains photographs and Series V contains reference materials.

Dates

Creation: 1979-2019
Creation: Majority of material found within 1981-1998

Creator

Phillips, Charles (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and users of its library and archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, they have given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Biographical Note

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Charles Burchell Phillips was born in Kingston, Jamaica, the son of Dr. Charles B. Phillips Sr. and Rose Sutherland Phillips. After moving in with his grandfather at age 13 and attending middle school in Montclair, New Jersey, he returned to Jamaica where he graduated high school. Phillips received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Howard University, in Washington, D.C. in 1966.

Phillips worked for the Ford Motor Company from 1966 to 1968, exploring new car styling and features in their "Experimental Garage." In 1970 he began working for the Ideal Toy Company. He also consulted with other game designers and independently created games. Some of his games produced and sold by Hasbro and Parker Brothers include Advance to Boardwalk, Free Parking, M.A.G.S., I Vant to Bite Your Finger and Clue Jr.

Phillips resided in Walpole, New Hampshire, with his wife, Eleanor Giannelli, where he passed away in 2022.

Extent

10.0 Linear Feet (1 document box, 1 photo box, 2 map case drawers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection documents Charles Phillips's career as a toy and game designer. The majority of the collection is undated, the remainder of the papers date from 1979 to 2019 with the bulk dating from 1981 to 1998. The materials consist of game design documents, game rules, game board drafts, game component and packaging proofs, correspondence, photographs, drawings, and reference material.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Games, 1981-1998, undated

Series II: Toys, 1995, undated

Series III: Cartoon, 1983-1985

Series IV: Photographs, 1979, undated

Series V: Reference, 1993-2019

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Charles Phillips papers were donated to The Strong in August 2023 by Eleanor Giannelli, as a gift in memory of Charles Phillips. The papers were accessioned under Object ID 123.2728.