Indoor Games Guide,
Read our Complete guide to Games
Guide to Games
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.
Indoor games compendium Guide
For most of the 1800's Jaques were developing and introducing new indoor games, many of which, such as Hit-a-Pin Bagatelle, Happy Families and Shove Halfpenny, are still very popular today.
There are many others such as Squails, Ascot and Minoru which are no longer made but are in the process of being Re-introduced for families to play
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
Guide to Snakes and Ladders
The game of snakes and ladders was played in ancient India by the name of Moksha Patamu. This game can date right back to the 16th century. John Jaques transformed the game and created the Board Game of Snakes and Ladders. This was launched in the 1890's to great success.
It has Recently been Relaunched. you can BUY a reproduction HERE
Jaques Inventing Happy Families
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.
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.
Guide to backgammon games
At Jaques We Make 4 Indoor versions of the Classic Backgammon game.
At the top end of the range is the 19" Oak backgammon, the ultimate Games Board.
There is the 15" Luxury Mahogany set which features a solid mahogany frame with walnut and sycamore inlaid points.
A Great Set for Home Play is the 15" Oak Backgammon set.
Perfect for playing games on the move, we also have the 11" Travel version of the game.
All the above sets also includes regulation playing pieces, two leatherette dicecups, dice set and Backgammon rules book.
Guide to Draughts Sets
There are many variants of the game of Checkers or Draughts across the world but the English game is played on a chessboard (or sometimes called draughtsboard) by two players sitting opposite each other.
