Billiards [graphic]Bretherton, James, approximately 1730-1806, printmakerpublish'd 27th Jany. 1781.eng"One corner of a billiard-table is visible, the rest being cut off by the right, margin of the print. A player, in profile to the right, holds up with exaggerated care a cue in front of a ball lying near the corner. He wears a long pigtail queue, on the back of his coat is a large ribbon bow or cockade to which a key is attached. A number of spectators stand round watching intently: of two behind the player, one resembles a footman. Two others stand behind the corner of the table, one wearing a hat like that of a coachman; two others stand on the right behind the table. They are probably all men-servants. The wall behind is papered or stencilled in a pattern of horizontal lines and spots. On it are a rack of cues, the "[Rules of the Ga]me [of Billia]rds", three framed pictures: (a horse-race, a duel, and an oval portrait) and what appears to be a satirical print."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.Sheet trimmed to plate mark.Temporary local subject terms: Games -- Domestic service.