Autograph request
Envelope sent by Bray to (Cigarette card featuring John Roberts) on 23rd September 1901 requesting his autograph.
The request was redirected a number of times, including destinations in Australia and India, collecting a variety of postmarks and charge marks on the way. The envelope eventually made its way back to Bray complete with Robert's autograph.
John Roberts Junior (15 August 1847 - 23 December 1919) stands out as one of the great Victorians in the world of sport. He was to billiards what W.G.Grace was to cricket, and had billiards continued its popularity, Roberts would be as well known today as his illustrious contemporary.
Son of the first recognised champion of English billiards John Roberts Senior (1823-1893), junior was easily the most commanding figure the game has ever known, both on and off the table. For years he was able to give a third of the game start to any opponent, and won the professional billiards championship on eight occasions, the last in 1885.
He played in front of royalty many times and did countless world tours, including India, where Maharajah of Jaipur made him, for one months play a year, a courts billiard player for life, on an annual salary of £100 with expenses. It is likely that John Roberts first came into contact with snooker, during one of these Indian tours.
Roberts was a showman, immaculately dressed, a legacy he has passed down to today’s bow tied players. The other side of the coin however, was to behave as a law unto himself in everything connected with billiards. The governing body and other professionals were waived aside by a sweep of his dictatorial hand.
