[Wilanel]

I received received a present of 4 British bridge markers. Apparently, the registry on them is from 1883. Each one is in the shape of a suite. They are about an inch high.

Does anyone know if these were used for bridge or whist? And what purpose did they serve?

[TimG]

If 1883, it would be Whist. I believe that in at least one form of Whist, trumps was determined by facing the last card dealt (before putting it into dealer's hand). The marker was probably a way to remind all players what trumps was during the play.

[Wilanel]

Thanks. I forgot to add they were called "bridge trump markers"

[gnasher]

Wilanel, on Oct 1 2008, 07:11 PM, said:

Thanks. I forgot to add they were called "bridge trump markers"

Were they called that by the original manufacturer? It seems very unlikely: according to the Encyclopedia of Bridge, the earliest known game of "bridge" in Britain was in 1892. It seems more likely that you have a set of Whist trump indicators which someone has subsequently misdescribed.

There are lots of pages on the internet about trump indicators, for example:

http://www.wistariah...ibits/exhibit8/

http://www.umass.edu/fac/calendar/universi...ents/Whats.html

[helene_t]

http://museum.hilte....pindicators.htm