A SUPERB FULLY FITTED GAMES COMPENDIUM BY BETJEMANN

BETJEMANN: A very fine and complete Victorian COMPENDIUM of GAMES of truly wonderful quality.  The superb figured burr walnut case, which retains its bright sparkling original polished finish, is embellished “a là Betjemann” with ornate brass Gothic style mounts and key escutcheon plate.

It opens to reveal the blue watered silk and navy-blue leather lined interior with the following contents within the upper tray: * The full set of red-and-white stained bone Chessmen; * Full set of red-and-white Draughts and Backgammon pieces (note: no ivory); * Gilded brass Cribbage Board; * Full set of six bone Dice; * Pair of whist Trick Markers and * Set of four gilded Pegs.

Below is the original leather-covered wooden hinged board, with chess/draughts on the outside and the fine backgammon board to the interior.  In the fitted compartment further below can be found: * Four sets of Victorian Playing Cards;  * Set of four Bezique markers;  * Printed booklet: Rules of Bezique dated 1872; * Pair of turned ebony Dice Shakers and   * Various red-and-white Counters.  Complete with working key ~ this is a particularly fine example of the now rare Betjemann Games Compendium and is highly recommended.

English circa 1875

** George Betjemann (Senior) started as an apprentice cabinetmaker at a very early age, working in London. He had two sons, George William and John Betjemann who both joined him in what was by then his own cabinetmaking business.  In 1859 they moved to Pentonville Road, London where the business (now called George Betjemann & Sons) thrived under the elder son George William, who never married, but was “married” to his work in which he was a perfectionist.  The company exhibited with great success at the International Exhibition of 1861 and the Exposition of 1867 in Paris.

George (Senior) died in 1886 at the age of 88 and son John died in 1893. George Junior and other direct descendants of the family continued to run the thriving business until it finally closed in 1939, when grandson John Betjemann (who became the famous Poet Laureate) showed no interest in continuing the family concern.

(NB. This fine Games Compendium is not on view in the shop. Please e-mail kerry@quietstreetantiques.co.uk or telephone 07860 818212 for further details)