SPEAR'S COMICAL TIVOLI GAME
- Bavaria, Germany: J. W. S. & S. [J. W. Spear and Sons], 1890
Bavaria, Germany: J. W. S. & S. [J. W. Spear and Sons], 1890. Very good.. Uncanny illustrated clown game with a pinball-like twist — in which the top lid opens to reveal a fun game of chance for children. Housed inside the box are brightly colored hinged chromolithographed clown figures. On the top lid is a clown with a wide grin which is used as an entrance point for the marbles. The goal is to try to get the ball into the holes at the bottom — but it has to go through the various platforms and moveable figures before landing at the bottom of the course. The marble eventually lands in a hole at the base, with each hole assigned a value — similar to pinball. With various points to collect ranging from 5 - 100, instructions in English on the bottom board.
It's uncommon to find copies of games produced from J. W. Spear & Sons from the German factories, before their London opening which had a wider reach with English speaking consumers. Although this copy is in English, it still has the Bavaria, Germany copyright. A quirky turn-of-the-century piece. 11.5" x 7.75" Original hinged red paper box with pictorial paste-on to lid. Pictorial movable figure. 7 marbles of various colors (original number unknown). Some scuffing and splitting to box joints. Minor soiling throughout, overall bright.
It's uncommon to find copies of games produced from J. W. Spear & Sons from the German factories, before their London opening which had a wider reach with English speaking consumers. Although this copy is in English, it still has the Bavaria, Germany copyright. A quirky turn-of-the-century piece. 11.5" x 7.75" Original hinged red paper box with pictorial paste-on to lid. Pictorial movable figure. 7 marbles of various colors (original number unknown). Some scuffing and splitting to box joints. Minor soiling throughout, overall bright.