Billiard room scene – fighting – dog and cat under pool table. Companion to “The Beauties of Billiards/ “A carom on the dark red.” (2004.D03.477 FAC #450)
The game of billiards, commonly called pool, became popular in the United States during the 19th century and championship matches were favorite sporting events of the public. Because pool tables were expensive to import from Europe or to have made in the United States, the sport was first only pursued by the wealthy. A gentleman played billiards in his home or in exclusive pool clubs. Later, the common man played at public pool tables, at least in New York City, where there were more than two dozen establishments in existence by 1840. In this comic depiction of a billiard room, a white man climbs on a pool table while an African-American youth pokes at a dog and cat fighting under the table. Other figures in the room stand on chairs to avoid the quarreling animals
