Games of Britain's Gentry [Jaques]

The walk through Little Venice in London is inspired by the Canals and long boats that dot the terrain. However look to the lee side through the huge windows in the homes and you’ll see the common gardens and lawns that serve as a venue for the lawn games of the British Gentry. The lawns, game rooms and parlors stretching from Little Venice to Chipstead in Surrey provide a superb location for the finest in competitive games. English Hall caters to your every desire through Jaques, the oldest games and sports manufacturer in the world. Since its founding in 1795, Jaques has been passed down as a family business from father to son for six generations.

Although renowned for many sporting pastimes, Jaques are most well known for the games of Croquet and Table Tennis, originated by them 150 and 100 years ago respectively. John Jaques II won a place in sporting history for introducing croquet into England at the Great Exhibition in 1851. His display there attracted such wide attention that the game speedily became the vogue, not only in London but throughout Europe and the British Empire.

After setting up in business as wood, bone and ivory turners in 1795, John Jaques introduced their famous Staunton Chess in 1839, and this is now the standard chess design used for all major championships. Other games originated by Jaques include such eternal favourites as Happy Families, Snap, Ludo, Halma, and Snakes and Ladders.

The Sandringham Croquet Set is Jaques' finest set and truly an appreciating family heirloom. Presented in a beautiful mahogany cabinet built box with solid brass fittings, the set contains: 2 x Laser Tuftex mallets; 2 x Laser Tuftex L.V. mallets; 2 x Championship mallets; 2 x Association mallets; a full set of 8 matched Eclispse championship balls with carrying case and ball markers; Association hoops, hoop smasher and drill; Championship flags, croquet clips, yard line pegs and winning post.

The Hurlingham Croquet Set is presented in a lavish, cabinet constructed solid mahogany box, that contains; 2 x Laser Tuftex L.V. mallets; 2 x Colonial mallets; a full set of 4 matched Eclispse championship balls with carrying case and ball markers; Association hoops, hoop smasher and drill; and Championship flags, croquet clips, yard line pegs and 4 colour winning post. Both Sets contain the authoritative book, "Croquet the Complete Guide" by Anton Gill.

The Corniche models are Jaques finest snooker tables. The Tables are manufactured with hand floated ltalian slate for spirit level accuracy. Hand polished solid mahogany surrounds the undercarriage. The fabric is best napped West of England cloth. The Tables have contoured elastic cushions, solid brass pocket furniture and are fitted with finest soft leather and natural cotton pockets. This Diner model is fitted with removable one piece mahogany dining table top. The Tables come complete with all accessories required including two snooker cues, rest cue, table brush, snooker balls, triangle, chalk and rules. They are available in 6ft or 7ft models, with or without Diner top.

This Premier top-end football table that is 148 x 76 x 90 cm has a solid wooden body with stove enamelled, 3" diameter tubular steel legs. The playing field has a Dynaglaze lifetime surface, making for fast games. Strong chrome steel player bars, tough springs, and solid lifelike players all go to make this probably the finest football table available. It is fitted with inbuilt scorers and a simple, foolproof coin mechanism and a fixed glazed top cover. The Game is ideal for Clubs, Arcades, Hotels, Bars, and any type of residential entertainment or holiday complex. The balls are included.

The 4.4" 1850 Original Staunton Chess Set is a unique collectors set to treasure because only 250 sets were made. These chessmen are a reintroduction of a design produced by John Jaques between 1850 and 1851. The pieces are crafted from fine boxwood and jet black ebony. Each piece is very heavily weighted and cushioned with rich English leather in the original Jaques tradition. From the graceful angular Bishop's headpiece with its distinctive wide open cut, to the exquisite hand-crafted two-piece Knight taken straight from the visages of those magnificent steeds gracing the Parthenon, this is one of Jaques finest creations. The English case is lined, features a key lock and carries a replica of the Original Staunton label that was signed by Howard Staunton. Each set of these heirloom quality chessmen also comes as standard with four Queens, and is complete with a beautiful handmade inlaid wooden chess board, specially made for this set.

The 4" 1850 Staunton Chess Set is a limited edition of 500 sets. It is a standard 4" club version of the larger 4.4" set. The 4" set was normally used for interclub matches - the 4.4" set was used for special occasions and high end competition play. Practice games within the club would normally use 3 1/2" sets, but even these were crafted to a high standard. The craftsmanship of this 4" set matches that of the larger set and exhibits the same exquisite design as the larger set. Each piece is fitted with handmade English leather cushions with beautiful gold blocked Jaques branding. The set is stored in a slightly smaller version of the 4.4" sets solid mahogany case but with this set the case is lined with the finest English woollen baize. As with the larger 4.4" set this reintroduction will allow you to relive a piece of chess history every time you remove it from the beautiful cabinet. Each set has a numbered replica of the original 'Jaques Staunton Chess' Label. This set comes complete with a beautiful handmade inlaid wooden chess board, specially made for this set.