John Roberts Junior

Past Masters No. 4 - December 1982

May I commence by referring to my article in this series on John Roberts Senior (father of this month's "Past Master"), which was published on page 39 of the August issue of Cue World.

I have been pleased to receive correspondence from a number of readers including a letter from Mr. Harry Smith, of West Kirby, Wirral, who drew my attention to the fact that John Roberts Senior, was born in Liverpool, and not in Manchester as I stated. Mr Smith also quoted a date of birth, whilst I had stated "about 1815" although we agree that there is still some uncertainty about the exact date.

This prompted me to carry out further research on John Roberts Senior - whilst at the same time researching on the life and career of his son J.R. Junior, with the following results.

In the book entitled "Roberts on Billiards", by John Roberts Senior, published 1868, he writes … "the first table I ever played on was at the Old Rotunda, Bold Street, Liverpool, my birth place, when I had reached my ninth year. It was an old fashioned wooden bottomed concern, made by Gillow, and the cushions which were of list carried the ball about four times"…

As Roberts Senior is the author we must allow him to know where he was born, and so Liverpool can claim to be the birthplace of this famous billiards player. Roberts Junior together with the editor Mr F.M. Hotine, was responsible for publishing the monthly magazine entitled "The Billiard Review" during the period 1865/6, states on page 389 that … " My father was not born in 1815 as stated in the "Badminton Library" by Major Broadfoot… J. Roberts Senior, was born on 27th March 1826"… and it would seem that the son should know his father's birth date.

However, this cannot be reconciled with the state that J.R. Senior, was 55 years of age when in 1870 he lost the Championship to W. Cook - which brings us back again to 1815 as the year of his birth!

In the book entitled "Modern Billiards" by John Roberts Junior, which was published in 1902, he says that he was born at Ardwick, Manchester, on 15th August 1847, his father (J.R. Senior), being at that time in charge of the Billiard Room, at the Union Club in Manchester. When he was about 10 years old his father took the Billiard Room at the George Hotel in Lime Street, Liverpool, and that he was sent to school at the Mechanics Institute in Mount Pleasant. J.R. Junior is himself the author of this information we should be able to rely upon it as being accurate.

He also had two younger brothers. Charles, who also became a professional player and wrote a number of books on the subject. And Herbert, who was also a professional player of some repute, but it was John Roberts Junior, who in time became without any doubt, the leading professional player of his day.

His skill can be traced back to his father's Billiard Room in the George Hotel, where after school he would "knock the balls about", and in the absence of his father would play against John Herst - one of the markers, who himself became a well known professional. So whilst young John learnt largely from his own observations he must also have gained from Herst's instruction.

Further experience and opportunity for practice became possible when the Roberts family moved to London in 1860/1 at the time when Roberts Senior became the lessee of the Billiard Rooms at Saville House in Leicester Square, and young John Roberts regularly acted as his father's assistant.

According to his own recollection Roberts Junior won his first handicap in 1866, the final being played against H. Evans (who later became Champion of Australia). In the following year he won a big handicap competition promoted by W. Dufton, in which 24 players took part. In games of 400 up the handicaps ranged from - Roberts Senior owing 100 points, whilst Hughes, Christmas, Bennett and Herst all receiving 10 points and Roberts Junior received 35 points, all the other players receiving between 70 and up to 130 points. Thus Roberts Junior at this date was ranked no.6, whilst J.R. Senior was clearly way ahead of the field as no.1.

The final was played between J.R. Senior v J.R. Junior, the father in fact only scored 28 points more than his son who therefore with the benefit of his handicap won quite easily.

During the period 1866/68, John Roberts Junior, together with William Cook and Joseph Bennett, began to move ahead of the other Junior professionals and indeed Roberts Senior named these three players plus John Herst as being the second tank of players (he himself of course being no.1.)

You will remember from the previous article that William Cook became the recognised billiards champion when he defeated John Roberts Senior on 11th February 1870. But John Roberts Junior, soon avenged his father's defeat by challenging Cook for the championship two months later and easily beating him by 478 points in a game of 1000 up on 14th April 1870.

A few weeks later Alfred Bowles, challenged Roberts Junior for the championship but failed completely.

Before the year 1870 was out, Joseph Bennett, another of the so called "second ranked players" challenged Roberts Junior and in the hard fought contest lasting nearly five hours, finally won by 95 points in 1000 up.

Early in 1871, after a lapse of two months - as now required by rules for the competition, Roberts Junior once again challenged and again became the champion, winning by 363 in a game lasting only three hours and twenty-two minutes. However, the championship soon changed hands once more, when Cook again defeated Roberts Junior, this time by only 15 points, but after this Cook defeat all challengers, holding the championship for the next four years, that is during the period 1871/5.

Roberts Junior finally asserted his superiority on 24th May 1875, when he again defeated Cook, this match is important as a turning point in the career of J.R. Junior; Cook had been considered the better player but from now on Roberts demonstrated his superiority and he continued to improve with each succeeding year, leaving all his opponents a long way behind.

Cook challenged again on 20th December 1875, and at the St. James Hall, in the presence of the Prince of Wales, a keen contest took place. The players passing and re-passing each other many times, but after nearly three and a half hours Roberts retained the championship by a margin of 135 points (some reports say 136).

Roberts Junior now commenced his travels around the world. At the invitation of Mr Alcock - a billiard table maker of Melbourne, Australia, who was a friend of Roberts Senior (the billiard company Alcock, Thompson and Taylor is still very active in the Australian Billiards trade). John Roberts Junior, departed on his first overseas tour on 6th April 1876. The tour was a great success, and lasted a whole year. HE returned to England on 6th/7th April 1877 having made about £7,000.00 altogether (a very handsome figure in 1876/7).

Whilst away on this first overseas tour, Roberts had sent a challenge to Cook to play for the Championship, and this match took place at the Gaiety Restaurant on 28th May 1877, very shortly after his return, when Roberts retained the Championship winning by 221 points.

During the next several years 1877 to 1884, Roberts Junior made so many overseas tours that he was not able to defend the championship again until 1885. It is recorded that he visited India, including Ceylon on 11 occasions, with 3 visits to Australia, 2 visits to New Zealand, 2 to the U.S.A. and 6 to South Africa.

Whilst visiting India in 1878 his agent a Mr Brelauer, evidently travelled ahead seeking engagements, and thus he approached Ram Singh, the Maharaja of Jeypure, he declined to give an engagement but said he did not think Roberts would go away disappointed.

Roberts decided to make the visit without having a firm promise of remuneration, and he must have been more than satisfied to receive a present of 1000 Rupees, together with a gold enamelled cup and saucer studded with diamonds (see illustration). In addition, as hopefully readers can perceive from the photograph of the accompanying letter, on 11th February 1878 he was appointed "Court Billiard Player" at a salary of £500.00 per annum, which was paid until the Maharaja died.

 

During Roberts' second visit to India in 1878 he founded the firm of John Roberts and Co., Billiard Table Manufacturers in Bombay, with his agent Mr Breslauer, as partner. The enterprise become a Limited Company and traded very successfully as Roberts was - as himself says…"travelling with an eye to business".

Examples of table and cushion plates of J. Roberts & Co. Ltd., Bombay.

Note- The cushion plate states 'NO BRANCHES' this is a reference to the fact that a John W. Roberts billiard business was registered in Madras!

 The John Roberts & Co. business also had a branch in Calcutta and was still trading up to 1939 when World War II commenced. He also traded successfully as a billiard table marker etc…in London.

There were no contests for the Championship during 1878 and 1879, although Cook did evidently try to assume the title. In 1880 Joseph Bennett challenged either Roberts or Cook to play for the Championship - during this period Roberts who had been away on overseas tours waived his claim and so on 8th November 1880. Cook played the challenge match and after a hard game his nerve failed, he missed several easy strokes and so Bennett won by 51 points and thereby was acknowledged champion.

Immediately after this Championship Roberts and Cook departed together as "Ex-Champions" on a visit to India. In their absence, T. Taylor now challenged Bennett to play for the Championship and the contest took place in January 1881, Bennett retaining the Championship, winning by 90 points in 1000 up.

Now there is a gap of 4 years without a Championship. As it was not until 18885, that the next contest took place, when the points required for game were increased to 3000 (previously 1000 except for the very first championship, when cook won against Roberts Senior in a game of 1200 up).

In April 1885, Cook made his final attempt to take the Championship in a contest against Roberts Junior, who was suffering from malaria, no doubt as a result of his visits abroad. Cook played well, but Roberts despite his illness played with great determination and finally won by 92 points.

Within two months Joseph Bennett also made his final attempt at the Championship when during June 1885 the contest took place at the Royal Aquarium, Roberts wining easily. Having now won the cup five times it became his own property for good.

Now there is another period of four years without a contest for the Championship. It would seem that Roberts Junior "retired", although he continued playing and travelling, giving magnificent displays and offering any players a start of 9000 points in games of 24,000 up, saying he wished his opponents would play better.

When is was suggested that he relied on the "push stroke", he responded by saying he would allow any man in the world a start of 7,000 in 24,000 "push shot" in or out at his option, for any sum up to £1000. But it would seem nobody responded to this challenge.

 

The Championship of Billiard Challenge Cup

 

Presented in 1870 by the three main Billiard Companies at that time namely :-

Burroughes & Watts - Cox & Yeman - Thurston & Co.

The plate on the cup tells some of the history of the cup as it states :-

This Cup is the original Professional Billiards Championship Cup, first played for in 1870. It was won outright by John Roberts Junior in 1890 and given by him to his son

Mr. J.W. Roberts of Madras The latter has presented it to The Billiards Association and Control Council in trust to be held by the winner of the English Amateur Billiards Championship each year.

The shields would indicate that it was first used for the amateur championships in 1931-32 and was won by Sydney Lee. The last name on the shields is Chris Shutt 1995/96, although there is a big gap in the dates.

(The cup was on display in the Norman Clare Heritage Collection during 2008 as part of Liverpool European Capital of Culture year. Sadly the cup has a severe dent in it just where the THURSTON name is engraved!)

It must be said that Roberts Junior was very "full of his own importance", and often published disparaging remarks about other players and the Billiards Association. Roberts and Mr Fred Hotine (the Editor) were responsible between them for the publication of the monthly magazine entitled "Billiards Review", in which his opinions were forcefully expressed.

Indeed it could be almost be said that his word was law. I quote two examples, which I believe will give an insight to his character:-

On page 114 (December 1895) Roberts Says "the Billiards Association, is certainly not in a position either to make a new rule which will find general acceptance or to interpret the existing rules against the push shot. I for one would not pay any attention to a ruling emanating from the Association and there are many others of my way of thinking."

On page 574 (November 1896) Roberts says, " Why not institute a fresh Championship…to be completed for by such of the players (myself excepted) as care to enter. The winner might be styled until I retire or he beats me - "Second Champion" or "Champion" (Roberts barred)"

Roberts died in Worthing in 1919 at 71 years of age, some 24 years after last winning the Championship.

November 2013 addition to Norman's article :-

Possibly because the Collection has had T.V. Coverage this year with Steve Davis visiting to do two pieces for the 'History of Snooker' shown during the World Championships. Also a visit by the the Antique Road Trip whose expert Christina Trevanion call in to view some of the items and discus some of the items of historic interest. (see TV visit)

The Collection was contacted by Shanklin Collectors Centre on the Isle of Wight who advised that they had a medal won by John Roberts Jnr. and would we be interested in it.

Well after some confirmation information received from Peter Ainsworth which details the date of the match and the place it took place plus the firm that put up the medal as a prize. All of which was engraved on the medal it was decided that this bit of Billiard history should be preserved in the Collection.

photograph © Elspeth Clare

The size of the medal is 12cm x 5cm and as can be seen has crossed cues over a set of billiard balls.

photograph © Elspeth Clare

The engraving reads :-

PRESENTED BY

Morrison & Co

BILLIARD TABLE MAKERS

EDINBURGH

TO

JOHN ROBERTS JUN

for the highest score in four Billiard Matches

played against

WM. COOK,CHAMPION

at Edinburgh

Jany. 27th. & 28th. 1873

The information that Peter Ainsworth was able to supply follows along with the actual newspaper report that Peter also provided.:-

There is a summary of the encounter in Roberts' book, "Modern Billiards," [page 19/20] which reads: "On January 27th and 28th they played a somewhat sensational match at the Waverley Hall, Edinburgh. The conditions were that four games should be played-two of 1,000 and two of 750, the player making the highest aggregate to be the winner. Cook won the first game of 1,000 up by 259, and the following game of 750 by 516, thus securing a lead of 775. On the second day Roberts won the 1,000 up by 405, and the 750 by 392, thus beating Cook's aggregate by 22 points, and winning the gold medal which was offered as the prize. Roberts also beat Cook at pyramids on this occasion."

There are also contemporary newspaper reports available, which go into more detail. I have attached copies of the actual publications and reproduce a less verbose summary below, which I have included in my records:

[The Scotsman - Tuesday, 28th January 1873, page 7]
Monday 27th January 1873.-W. Cook v. J. Roberts jun., at the Waverley Hall, Edinburgh.
A champion match at billiards of considerable interest was commenced yesterday afternoon in the Waverley Hall, Waterloo Place, between Messrs W. Cook and J. Roberts, jun., the former champion and the latter ex-champion of Great Britain, while both of whom are recognised to be the most expert players of the scientific game. The match was commenced and will be finished upon a new table, specially built for the occasion by Messrs Morrison & Co., George Street, the most reputable billiard table makers in North Britain; and that firm have offered as a prize a magnificent gold medal, which shall be won by the highest aggregate scorer in four games-two of 1000 points, and
two of 750, each at billiards. One round of each game was played yesterday-Mr W. Cook securing the victory in the 1000 game by 259 points, and in the 750 game by 516. The game of 1000 up was played in the afternoon, before a large assemblage of gentlemen interested in this noble in-door
sport. Cook made breaks of 176 and 245 (84 spots). The game lasted exactly two hours and twenty minutes. RESULT.-Cook, 1000; Roberts, 741. In the evening the 750 game was played, when Cook laterally ran away from Roberts, who never could get the balls together for a large break. On the other hand, Cook in one break scored 374 points, in which he made no fewer than 124 hazards from the spot stroke. In the next break be scored 146, principally all round the table, and concluded the game at 750 to Roberts' 234, thus winning by 516. On the two games he consequently stands 775 ahead. Mr. Roberts afterwards exhibited what are called "fancy strokes," in which with
his fingers be seemed to make the balls obey his every behest. The two champions played the best of eleven games at Pyramids-the victory eventually resting with Mr Roberts by six games to Mr Cook's two. The remaining games will be played to-day (Tuesday.) RESULT.-Cook, 750; Roberts, 234.

[The Scotsman - Wednesday, 29th January 1873, page 6]
Tuesday 28th January 1873.-W. Cook v. J. Roberts jun., at the Waverley Hall, Edinburgh.
The match between Mr J. Roberts, jun., and Mr. W. Cook was concluded last night in the Waverley Hall in presence of a large number of gentlemen. The game, which was commenced on Monday afternoon, was resumed yesterday, when in the 1000 game Mr Roberts won by 405. In the course of play Mr Roberts scored 194, 126, 120, and 126-the latter break being unfinished. Cook's highest break was 98. RESULT.-Roberts, 1000; Cook, 595. In the evening Roberts' first break was a 58, then he went, on with 180, next 260, in which he made 83 spot strokes. Cook succeeded with breaks of 94, 68, and 83; but Roberts eventually secured the match by 392 points. In this manner Roberts
won the day by 797 points, whereas Cook on Monday had only won by 775 points, Roberts therefore won Messrs Morrison & Co.'s gold medal by 22 points. The medal was presented by a well-known amateur to Mr Roberts, who stated that be had never played on a better table. In a game of pyramids afterwards played, Mr. Roberts won six games to Mr Cook's three.
RESULT.-Roberts, 750; Cook, 358.

The Scotsman - Tuesday 28th January 1873

 

The Scotsman Wednesday 29th January 1873

 

The Snooker Heritage Collection is pleased to add this bit of 'history' to the other items and the medal will be displayed along side the watch that had been presented to John Roberts Jnr. Father .

Acknowledgements - Peter Ainsworth for providing so much of the background information.

                          - Shanklin Collectors Centre, Isle of Wight

The Snooker Heritage Collection is free to enter BUTas the rooms are just part of a working office and factory a Guide is required. So please make anappointmentgiving at least 72 hours notice. The maximum number that can be shown round is limited to four. To make an appointment phone 0870 607 1336.

© E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2009 - All items displayed are from the N. Clare collection. reproduction of article allowed only with permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.

 

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© Norman Clare 1990. © E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2018.
Reproduction of this article allowed only with the permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.

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