John Roberts, senior, was born at Liverpool on June 17th, 1826. He started his billiard career in 1845 at the Union Club, Manchester. His largest break was 346, including 104 consecutive spot hazards. It was in 1849 that he went to Brighton to challenge Kentfield, who declined to play.
In December, 1866, he played a game in a handicap tournament in the t old Philharmonic Hall, Islington, with Charles Hughes. The game was 200 up, and Roberts owed 60 points, Hughes being scratch. Roberts made a break of 128, including 38 consecutive spot hazards, which at that time was considered a most remarkable feat. The Press of that day, commenting on the match, says: "What can we say about such a performance? Nothing,, save that there never before was such a player, and that there is not his equal in the whole- wide world."
In 1865 Roberts stood alone. No living man would accept 300 in 1,000 from him.
In March of that year he was playing an amateur, Mr. Downes. When Roberts scored 900 Mr. Downes ran a coup, and made up his mind that if Roberts made a miss he would run another coup and so on. Roberts saw the manoeuvre, and said, "Look out, gentlemen," and played at the red ball on the spot. Away flew the ball like lightning, red and white both sprang into the air, one of the balls destroying the hat of a gentleman who was looking on. Mr. Downes saw that he could not run coups against nothing, and was then obliged to give a, miss. Roberts won the game by 93 points.
In his game for the championship with W. Cook in 1870 he Led by one point at 1,000, but the game, unfortunately for him, was 1,200 up.
After the match, Roberts was the first to congratulate Cook upon his victory.
One of the last public games he played was in the American Tournament, where he received a handicap. He played Moss, who wanted 27 to win, Roberts required 80. Moss broke down when he had made 15, and Roberts succeeded in just winning the game, in which the odds were 50 to 1 against him.
In 1879, he had a match with William Mitchell, who was then recognised as a great player. Roberts received 125 points, and to the astonishment of almost everyone succeeded in making the score in three breaks, thus beating Mitchell by 350. This was his last public appearance. He was of a kindly and generous disposition. He visited Australia in 1864.
He died on March 27th, 1893, and was buried at Ilford.
The foregoing facts have *been taken by permission of the Editor from "John Roberts' Billiards Annual." It is of special interest to note that the portrait of John Roberts, snr., which appears on our front page is a reproduction of a fine water colour drawing in the possession of Thurston & Co. This picture is believed to be unique, and has never appeared before/' in any billiard publication on sale to the reading public. It was painted in 1849 by G. Watkins.