A New and Improved Game.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New and Improved Game.
I, JOHN EZRA MILLER 1 Tunstall Road Sunderland, Architect and Surveyor,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The
The objects of this invention are to provide new games for the amusement of
indoor parties, and for the instruction and practice of children in the art of reading
and spelling and which I intend to be known by the name of " Cuba."
means by which these objects are attained are as follow:-On the sides of cubes
made of wood or other suitable material are placed letters or distinguishing marks.
The cubes can be placed side by side so that the letters on the tops spell words, or,
instead of letters, the sides of the cubes may contain words, and when the cubes
are placed side by side, sentences may be formed.
Various games can be played with these cubes-e.g. a number of the letter-cubes
are dealt to each player, and the player who can spell the longest word with the
upturned letters wins the game. Or, a number of the letter-cubes may be thrown
on to a table, and the player who spells the longest word with the upturned letters
wins the game.
If the word-cubes are used and are dealt out to the players, the player who can
make the longest grammatical sentence with the upturned words wins the game.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1891.
J. EZRA MILLER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New and Improved Game.
I, JOHN EZRA MILLER of No. 1 Tunstall Road, Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, Architect and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a new or improved game or pastime, capable of being
played by, and affording amusement for any number of persons at the same time,
and which I intend shall be known by the name of "Cuba,' and consists of the
employment of an unlimited number of cubes, blocks or counters made of wood or
other suitable material upon which are printed, written, or embossed, or fastened
thereto, in any color or variety of colors, letters, figures, words, signs, characters
or other distinguishing marks, and the game or pastime is derived from the exercise
of the tact, patience or ingenuity necessary in placing the uppermost of said letters,
characters or the like, in such order that words, or sentences, or figures may be
formed thereby, when said cubes or blocks have been thrown indiscriminately upon
the table or other flat surface upon which they lie.
Given that one side or face of each cube or block bears upon its surface a letter
of the alphabet, a given number of said blocks may be taken shuffled and thrown
upon a table, and the person who first forms a sensible word or sentence by the
upturned letters wins the game, and the stakes whatever they may be. Or upon
other faces of the said cubes or blocks may be words, and the game may consist of
forming sensible or grammatical sentences from those upturned when thrown out
as described. Or one face of each cube or block may bear a numeral or numerals,
and a certain quantity of blocks be allotted to each player, and the player who can
shew the largest total by adding up the upturned numbers takes the pool. Or one
face of each block may bear some device or part of a device, and the pastime may
Price 4d 1

page_text: consist of forming one large device with the upturned faces after the manner of
the kaleidoscope.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that an almost endless
number of games may be played, with cubes or blocks painted or otherwise decorated
in the manner set forth and by means of which children may be taught to read or
spell certain words, or taught to understand the numerical value of certain figures,
or friends assembled find a lengthy pastime, which may be more or less instructive
according to the devices or marks appearing upon each block, the object of my
invention being to interest, elevate, instruct and amuse while shortening the perhaps
other tedious length of idle or leisure hours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is―
In a new or improved game or pastime, the employment of any number of cubes,
blocks or counters, upon the faces or sides of which are printed, written embossed,
or fastened thereto, in any color or colors, letters, figures, words signs or characters,
or other distinguishing marks substantially for the purposes herein set forth and
used in the manner described.
ր
1001
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.