Item 66, the Antique BBC Ivory Tally Ball Set (c.1880s), These Ivory Tally Balls (numbers 1 through 16) were the actual “tokens of chance” used in high-stakes games like Kelly Pool or “Pill” Pool.

In the 1880s, producing numbered balls out of ivory was a feat of miniature precision—a task usually reserved for master carvers who could ensure the weight and balance of each “pill” was uniform.

The “Sold” Significance: Why “RE” Struck Gold

The departure of this set to a private collector or estate (“RE”) confirms the high demand for complete ivory sub-sets.

  • The Full 1–16 Sequence: Most tally sets from the 1880s are missing the #7 or #13. Finding a full sequence (1–16) with the original box is a “preservation miracle.”

  • Ivory vs. Wood: While wooden tally peas were common in mid-tier parlors, these ivory versions were the “Platinum Tier” of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender catalog. They represented the peak of luxury for private clubs.