History Of Indoor Games.

The History of indoor Games can be credited to the great indoor games inventor - John Jaques the third.

The phrase "History of indoor Games" and "Parlour Games" conjures up cozy Victorian scenes of extended families amusing themselves with musical interludes and the playing of card games, board games and chess. Classic games such as Happy Families, Tiddley-Winks, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders - games still so familiar today that few people can recall their origin, or indeed believe that any one person invented them! One person did, John Jaques II.

Jaques antique Board Games

Pictured above is a selection of items that Jaques feels help contibute to the "History of Games"

John Jaques' son was the ingenious mind behind most of these indoor pursuits, inventing Happy Families, Tiddley -Winks, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders - and developing a very large demand for dominoes, draughts and backgammon, all of which the company produced. While JJ One (as the family refer to him) will always be recognized for his major contribution to chess, the subject of a subsequent chapter, the son was undoubtedly his father's equal in imagination, craftsmanship and enterprise.

Jaques Antique Snakes and Ladders

Picturerd above is a snap shot of the history of games, an Early Jaques Snakes & Ladders board game circa 1920.

Tenniel's memorable drawings of Mr Bun the Baker, Mr Grits the Grocer and so on, are at the heart of children's enjoyment of Happy Families. It was John II's foresight to commission him at an early stage in his career. Tenniel would later become Sir John Tenniel as a result of a truly illustrious career as chief cartoonist of Punch. Tenniel, of course, also brought Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland so vividly to life.

Antique Patchesi Board Game

Picturerd above is a Jaques Patchesi game board. This Game was the for-runner to Jaques Ludo, another Jaques invention. circa 1880

John II's (John Jaques the second) originality and business acumen were rewarded with the Freedom of the City of London in 1869. This was richly deserved, for this same man who lightened long evenings with new and clever indoor pursuits also taught the world to play croquet

Antique Ludo Board

Pictured above is a Jaques Ludo Board. This board design was used to recerate the amazing new Jaques mahogany ludo board games availbe in our store. circa 1910

In fact, Lewis Carroll's grandniece, Irene Dodgson, married the widowed John Jaques III, not only consolidating this literary connection, but furthering it with her own artistic contribution. Irene created four new characters for Jaques Happy Families.

Antique Happy Families

Pictured above are some of the early indoor Jaques Happy families cards

Discover more about the Jaques family history and how they have been teaching the world to play since 1795.

To Learn More about the History of indoor Games Please read al the other wonderful History Sections of this site