Item 190
Antique Brunswick-Balke-Collender Ivory Tally Ball Set (c. 1880s)
This is a museum-quality tally ball set produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. during the late 1880s. A cornerstone of 19th-century poolroom culture, these “pea” or “pill” balls were used for “Shake Bottle” games like Kelly Pool, where players drew numbers to determine their secret objectives.
This specific set is crafted from authentic ivory and features beautiful hand-scrimshawed numbers (#1 through #15). The intricate, hand-inked numbering is a hallmark of premium Victorian-era craftsmanship, offering a tactile and visual character that modern plastic sets cannot replicate.
Included Components
Tally Balls: Complete set of 15 ivory balls.
Numbering: Hand-scrimshawed digits #1–15.
Shaker: Original period leather shake bottle (often referred to as a “tally bottle” or “pea bottle”).
Manufacturer: Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.
Era: c. 1880s
Collector’s Note
Finding a complete set of 15 ivory tally balls with their original leather shaker is increasingly rare. These sets were subject to heavy use in smoky billiard parlors; to find one where the scrimshaw remains legible and the leather bottle remains intact makes this a premier addition to a Brunswick-focused collection.
