[LOYSEL, EDWARD]. Two sets of "Loysel's Patent Chivalric Game of Tournoy" and a framed game board. London: Edward Loysel and M & W. Collis, circa 1855 or later. 4 x 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches; The first set in a mahogany box, the second set in a burlwood box, both boxes contain an inset gilt-metal shield and banner in their lids, roulette-type wheels, metal spinners with hinged edges, and lifting printed stiff card scoring boards, the first set with forty-two color-printed ceramic game pieces and three small metal balls, the second a color lithographed game board dissected into nine panels laid down on linen, and with a 16 pp. rule booklet printed in English and French bound in gilt green cloth. The game board from the first set is framed separately. The first set with light scuffing and wear to the box's surface and to the gilt metal inlay, the roulette wheel detached from the lid, the spinner a bit tarnished, the scoring board rubbed and worn, starting to detach from the box where attached by a strip of linen and missing two of the pointers on one scoring dial, some edge chips and wear to the game pieces, the second set with light wear to the box, pitting to metal inlay in lid, roulette wheel detached, spinner quite tarnished, the scoring board detached with losses to the paper surface and lacking the pointers on dials, the rules and board only very lightly worn, the framed game board fine, not examined out of frame, the lot sold as is.

Edward Loysel's Chivalric Game of Tornoy is a medieval-themed game inspired by chess but with an added element of chance, seeing as the roulette wheel dictates which piece can be moved at each turn during play. Loysel, a Parisian civil engineer, patented his game and its roulette wheel-spinning apparatus in London in 1854. Between Mr. Sondheim's two sets of this rare board game, there are more than enough pieces for a four-player game.