Quadruple Bézique sets

Willis & Company was formed in 1869, having been preceded by Charles Steer at the same address (80 Long Acre, London). They promptly entered the Bezique market and their early lists include their own design of Patent Self-Scoring Bezique Markers. These are described in Willis' promotional material as superior and durable, “undeviatingly correct”, presented as their own patented design. No surviving patent documentation has yet been identified.

This Quadruple set contains 4 "Patent Self-scoring" markers which are also mentioned on the label inside the box top. Each deck has 32 cards, with double-ended court cards but single-ended number cards. The faces are uncoloured. We estimate the date to be sometime during 1870s.

The backs have two different colours.The set includes a rules booklet and a card promoting the Patent Self-Scoring Bézique Marker as undeniably the best of its kind plus prices of different boxed sets, zoom the extra card►

Records show that Charles Steer’s firm did not advertise self-scoring markers before Willis took over. It is therefore quite possible that Willis built on pre-existing scoring devices rather than being the absolute originator. Reynolds, Goodall, and De La Rue were already producing Bezique scoring devices, making it unlikely that Willis invented the idea; more probably, they patented their own variant or improvement on an already-existing concept.

It is also puzzling that references to the Patent Self-Scoring Markers, as well as mentions of 'Entered at Stationers Hall', are not consistent on all the box labels, making it harder to date these sets more accurately.

Above: quadruple boxed set with violet & white label inside the box lid with mention of Patent Self-Scoring Markers, c.1870s. Images courtesy Fabio De Paolis.

Above: quadruple boxed set and rules booklet with large red label inside the box lid, no mention of Patent Self-Scoring Bézique Marker on the label. or of entry at Stationer's Hall, c.1870s.

Above: quadruple boxed set with brown & white label inside the box lid with mention of Entry at Stationer's Hall, c.1870s.